[2,300 SILKWORMS PRODUCE 1LB OF SILK.]

185. To obtain a Good Knowledge of Pronunciation,

it is advisable for the reader to listen to the examples given by good
speakers, and by educated persons. We learn the pronunciation of
words, to a great extent, by _imitation_, just as birds acquire the
notes of other birds which may be near them.

[A QUEEN BEE PRODUCES 100,000 EGGS IN A SEASON.]

186. Double Meaning.

But it will be very important to bear in mind that there are many
words having a double meaning or application, and that the difference
of meaning is indicated by the difference of the accent. Among these
words, _nouns_ are distinguished from _verbs_ by this means: _nouns_
are mostly accented on the first syllable, and _verbs_ on the last.

[A COW YIELDS 168 LBS. OF BUTTER PER ANNUM.]

187. Noun signifies Name;

_Nouns_ are the names of persons and things, as well as of things not
material and palpable, but of which we have a conception and
knowledge, such as _courage_, _firmness_, _goodness_, _strength_; and
_verbs_ express _actions, movements,_ &c. If the word used signifies
that anything has been done, or is being done, or is, or is to be
done, then that word is a _verb_.

[IT WOULD TAKE 27,600 SPIDERS TO PRODUCE 1 LB. OF WEB.]

188. Examples of the above.

Thus when we say that anything is "an in'sult," that word is a _noun_,
and is accented on the first syllable; but when we say he did it "to
insult' another person," the word insult' implies _acting_, and
becomes a verb, and should be accented on the last syllable. The
effect is, that, in speaking, you should employ a different
pronunciation in the use of the same word, when uttering such
sentences as these:--"What an in'sult!" "Do you mean to insult' me?"
In the first sentence the stress of voice must be laid upon the first
syllable, _in'_, and in the latter case upon the second syllable,
_sult'_.

189. Meaning varied by Accentuation.

A list of nearly all the words that are liable to this variation is
given in the following page. It will be noticed that those in the
first column, having the accent on the first syllable, are mostly
nouns; and that those in the second column, which have the accent on
the second and final syllable, are mostly verbs:

Noun, &c. Verb, &c.| Noun, &c. Verb, &c. |Nou