Lastly; here follows those _Consonants_, which are compounded of _Hissing and Explosion_, such are (_x_) or _ks._ and (_z_) or _ts._ which only are the alone anomalous or irregular ones of the _German_ Language; for if I may speak what I think; we might well enough want these _Characters_; yet I disapprove not of the use of them, but only shew what might be more convenient, _viz._ that _Voice_ or _Breath_ which is simple, might be expressed also by a simple _Character_, and on the contrary, that a _Character_, which is simple and only one, would signifie but one only _Voice_ or _Breath:_ But if the commodious use of _Short-hand_ may be objected, I would perswade to express all possible Combinations, of _Vowels_, with _Semi-vowels_, and _Consonants_, by simple _Characters_.
This is what I determined to say concerning the Letters, and their Formation; and seeing I am not willing to write a _Grammar_, what might yet further be said of them, I pass by; but what I have performed, I leave it to others to judge thereof, not so much to teach them, as by what is here presented to excite them, being desirous, as it becomes a young Man, to learn of them: I hope they will pardon my Errors, because of my Youth. Yet certain I am, had the ancient _Hebrews_, _Greeks_ and _Romans_, thus describ'd their Letters, there would have been no contention about the manner of Pronounciation.
_Teacheth the Method its self, by which such as are Deaf, and consequently Dumb, may learn to Speak._
What hath been hitherto said may enough suffice to observant _Readers_, inasmuch as the Fundamentals of the whole Artifice, are therein contained; but least the curious should complain, that I have only made their Mouth water, I shall ingeniously discover to them what in four Years time, wherein I have endeavoured to instruct some Deaf Persons, I have observed what is worthy, and most necessary to be known.
Now what I have effected by this my Method, especially to the Daughter of Mr. _Kolard_, a Merchant of _Harlem_, I can appeal to a great part of _Holland_, and universally almost to the whole City of _Harlem_, and to innumerable other Witnesses, of all Ranks and Conditions.
The first thing which I require in the Person I am to teach, is, that he be of a docible Wit, and not too young of age; than that the _Organs of Speech_ be rightly constituted in him; for stupid Persons are capable of no Teaching, whose Age is yet too tender; nor do they mind enough, nor know how Teaching will be for their Use and Benefit; but those whose _Organs of Speech_ are altogether unfit, they may learn indeed to understand others when they speak, and discover their own Mind by Writing; but they will never learn to speak.