already
represented, it is very evident that, of the other two sounds of o, the one
must be long (independent), and the other short (dependent); and as it is
only necessary to express one of these conditions, we may, if we choose,
use the sign (-) alone; its presence denoting length, and its absence
shortness (independence or dependence).

As signs of this kind, one mark is as good as another; and instead of (-)
we may, if we chose, substitute such a mark as (') and write _n['o]t_ =
_n[=o]t_ = _n[omega]t_ = _n[=o]te_; provided only that the sign (')
expresses no other condition or affection of a sound. This use of the mark
('), as a sign that the vowel over which it is placed is long
(independent), is common in many languages. But is this use of (') natural?
For a reason that the reader has anticipated, it is not natural, but
conventional. Neither is it convenient. It is used elsewhere not as the
sign of _quantity_, but as the sign of _accent_; consequently, being placed
over a letter, and being interpreted according to its natural meaning, it
gives the idea, not that the syllable is long, but that it is emphatic or
accented. Its use as a sign of quantity then, would be an orthographical
expedient, or an inconvenient conventional mode of spelling.

The English language abounds in orthographical expedients; the modes of
expressing the quantity of the vowels being particularly numerous. To begin
with these:--

The reduplication of a vowel where there is but one syllable (as in _feet_,
_cool_), is an orthographical expedient. It merely means that the syllable
is long (or independent).

The juxtaposition of two different vowels, where there is but one syllable
(as in _plain_, _moan_), is an orthographical expedient. It generally means
the same as the reduplication of a vowel, i.e., that the syllable is long
(independent).

The addition of the e mute, as in _plane_, _whale_ (whatever may have been
its origin), is, at present, but an orthographical expedient. It denotes
the lengthening of the syllable.

The reduplication of the consonant after a vowel, as in _spotted_,
_torrent_, is in most cases but an orthographical expedient. It merely
denotes that the preceding vowel is short (dependent).

The use of ph for f in _Philip_, is an orthographical expedient, founded
upon etymological reasons.

The use of th for the simple sound of the first consonant in _thin_ and
_thine_, is an orthographical expedient. The combinati