Now there still remains the _Consonants_, or the Letters, which are formed out of an unsounding or mute _Breath_; yet, out of which, some of the _Semi-vowels_ may be made, as _g. ch. s. f. v._
As the _Voice_ is the common matter of the _Consonants_, the sharper part of which is (_h_) which is the most simple of them all, and out of which diversly figurated, the rest of them are framed: And they are either the _Sibilants_, which are formed out of _Breath_, which is somewhat compressed or straitned, that the passing _Breath_ breaks forth with a certain kind of _Hissing_, and with violence.
Here _I_ judge that we are not to pass over in silence, how that there are some parts in _Germany_, where there is so much of Affinity of (_g_) with (_k_,) as (_b_) has with (_p_) and (_d_) with (_t_,) or where (_g_) is pronounced like (_k_) but softer, so also the _French_ do pronounce their (_g_) before _a. o. u._ and _ou._
(_s_) is formed, when the _Teeth_ and _Tongue_ are so clapt together, that the _Breath_ cannot come forth, but by the _Spaces of the Teeth_: But (_f_) or (_v_) (which differs not from (_f_) in our Language) is formed, when the _neather Lip_ is so moved to the _Teeth_ above, that the _Breath_ must break out thro' the said _Spaces of the Teeth_; _ph._ is (_f_) being a Stranger in the _German_ Tongue, and differs from it only in the _Character_.
The other kind of _Consonants_ are explosive; which, _viz._ are discharged at one push, and as it were, in the twinkling of an Eye and are nothing else but _Breath_, which being got close together, either in the fore, middle, or hinder Region of the Mouth, is discharged on a suddain; and (_k_) is indeed formed in the hinder Region, when the hinder part of the _Tongue_ is moved to the _Roof_, that the _Breath_ cannot break forth, neither by the _Mouth_, nor by the _Nose_, but is suddenly let loose again: For thus the imprisoned _Breath_ breaks out, and by breaking out, maketh _k. c._ or _q._ which in _Germany_ are all the same Letter; in the middle Region are _d._ and t. formed, when, _viz._ the _Breath_, by help of the Tongues being moved to the _Teeth_, or _Roof_, and suddainly drawn back again, being more or less compressed, rusheth out by its own Springiness, and so _d._ or _t._ is made, which only differs, as _b._ and _p._ according to the more or less; in the outermost Region of the _Mouth_ are formed, (_b_) and (_p_) when, _viz._ the _Breath_ being compressed in the whole _Cavity of the Mouth_, they get out through the _Lips_ opened.