unced longer then usually, or [_i_]
doubled. _o. u. w._ are _Labial Vowels_, that is, such as are formed
by a different positure of the _Lips_; also [_o._] and [_u._] are
different from one another, just as much as [_e._] and [_i_]: But
[_w._] is to [_u._] just as _j._ is to [_i._] for indeed _a. u. w._
are formed, when the _Teeth_ and _Tongue_ keep the same posture; but
the _Lips_ are more or less contracted, even as the _Teeth_ are in
[_e._] and [_i._] and so when they are less stricken, [_o._] is
produced, but when a little more [_u._] or [_w._]; but we ought
carefully to beware, whilst [_o._] or [_u._] are pronounced, least the
_Teeth_ should be seen; for else a certain kind of a soft _e._ will be
mingled; and instead of _oe._ or _ue._ there will be produced _o._ or
_u._ These Letters belong to the _French_, _au_ and _ou_, when
nevertheless they are nothing else but _Diphthongs_, also _oe._ of the
_Dutch_ is our _u._ but very improperly.

Mixt _Vowels_ are _ae. oe. ue._ These Characters are peculiar to our
Language, and were invented very ingeniously by our Ancients, though
our Moderns mostly know not the reason thereof. Each hath its simple
Character, because the Sound which they signifie, is only one, tho'
mixt; for _a._ _o._ and _u._ are so pronounced, that the passage of
the _Voice_, the _Tongue_ and _Teeth_ being conjoyned for to
pronounce, _e._ becomes Straiter, and so _e._ together with the said
Letters, _a._ _o._ _u._ doth constitute but one only, yet a _mixt
vowel_. The _French_ utter them by _ai._ _eu._ and _u._ and in good
truth, badly enough, as any one may see. The _Dutch_ want _[ae]._
_[oe]._ and express them by _eu._ but _[ue]._ by _u._ in no better a way
than the _French_.

Concerning the _Diphthongs_ composed out of these _Vowels_, and which
may be thence compounded, I judge it needless to say much; for they
are nothing else in our Language than a more then usual swift
Pronunciation of the Component _Vowels_, yet successive; and thus they
differ from the _mixt Vowels_, but how improper and absurd
_Diphthongs_ some Nations have, any one may easily gather from what
hath been already said.

The other sort of Letters are _Semi-Vowels_, which are therefore so
called, because that they be formed indeed out of a _Sounding Breath_
or _Voice_, but such as in its progress is much broken. They are, as I
said, either _Nasalls_, or such as are pronounced through that open
passage, by which the _Nose_ opens i