The vocal diphthongs I, Ew, Oi, and Ow are represented by compound signs. These signs have a relation to the signs of the simple sounds. In analogy with this, we use signs for certain combinations of consonant sounds. These sounds, when so represented, are considered and treated as diphthongal sounds, and consequently this mode of representing them is in accordance with phonic science, as well as convenient in practice.

The combinations recognized as compounds belong to the Wa, El, Ra, and Es Series.

1. The Wa Series consists of Wh (hw), gw, kw, dw, thw, and tw. The first only is provided with a distinctive sign; its use is invariable. The gw, kw, dw, tw, thw, are written by joining the simple signs in the usual way. See Illustration.

Writing Exercise 14.

Whay, why, while, where, wherein, wherever, whereabout, wherefore, whereto, which, wharf, whale, wheel, whiff, whip, whittle, wheedle, Whig, whey, whoa, whew, wheeze, wheezing, whelm, when, whence, whenever, whensoever, wheresoever, whereas, whereat, whereinto, whereof, whereon.

Qui, quae, qua, quick, quiet, querl, quarrel, quench, quill, quail, quart, query, quarry, quadraginta, quinquaginta, quintuple, quadruped, quaff, qualify, quality, quandary, quantity, quarto, quib, quickness, quiesce, quietism, quietly, quietness, quietude, quietus, quinque, quire, quiz, quizzical, quizzing, quo ad hoc, quo animo, quota, quoth, quotidian, quo warranto.

Equal, aqueous, aquafortis, equality, equiform, equiformity, equip, equipage, equipoise.

Acquire, acquiring, equity, acquiesce, aqueduct, Aquitanian.

2. The El Series is Bl, pl, gl, kl, and fl. The first four are represented by the alphabetic signs for Be, Pe, Ga, and Ka, varied only by an initial hook on the right side of these signs; Fl by an initial hook on the El. Beading Exercise 3, line 2.

3. The Ra Series is Br, pr, gr, kr, dr, tr, fr, thr, and shr. An initial left-hand hook characterizes the first four, also fr and thr. A hook on the under side of De and Te, dr and tr; and a hook on the Ar, shr. Reading Exercise 3.

These compound signs are employed in all cases when the sounds coalesce; as in the words play, pray, blow, brow, try, reply, displace, etc.

Exercise 15.

PI, pr, bl, br, tr, dr, kl, kr. gl, gr. fl, fr, thr, shr.

Play, pray, dry, glow, grow, glee, bray, tray, dray, try, plow, prow, blew, brew, clue, glue, grew, trouble, drabble, trapper, trooper, broker, platter, lindsley's PHONETIC short-hand.

prattle, clutter, battle, batter, flow, fro, oval, over, through, cither, initial, treason, pleasure, brother.

Place, blaze, brays, prays, bless, press, trace, grace, glows, grows, powerful, travel, gravel, clever, glover, thrive, shriek, display, destroy, distress, prosper, express, describe descry, subscribe, disgrace, disclaim, discreet, testy, exclaim, disclaimer, discriminate, criminal, bridge, trial, glimpse, disagree.

4. The Es Series is Sp, sk, st, sf, sm, sn, and sw, as initial compounds. The compound sign is not used when the s is a first consonant in the word, and is preceded by a vowel. The circle would be used, for instance, in special, but not especial. It would be used in stem, state, scout, but not in esteem, estate, sect. If preceded by a vowel in the beginning of a syllable, it is employed when the two sounds are clearly diphthongal; if not, not. Exercise 3. E.g.: dispose is properly divided between the dis and pose, and the s and p are clearly separated in pronunciation; but the word despair is divided de-spair, leaving sp as a compound. Restore, respond, bespeak, bestow, are other examples of compounds; distance, dispense, discover, mistake, examples that do not contain compounds. It will be observed that the Es circle is on the El hook side of the straight signs, and on the inside of the curves.