Newspaper Page Text
. PRONUNCIATION OF THE LATIN LANGUAGE.
( Continued .J
The following Errata occurred in last week’s
publication :
Ist column, 3d paragraph near the end, for “ that
to a be mere ” read “ that to be a mere.”
Ist column,last paragraph,3d line,for “ the name
ofc, it we attend to analogy,” read “ the name
of c, if we,” &c. .
2d column, 11th paragraph,beginning Priscian
says, See. for “ coqus ” read “ cocus”
3d column, 13th line from top, for eltter” read
“ letter
Priscian concurs with Quintilian in regarding
the use of the k as an unnecessary irregularit},
and adds that the q would be, in like manner, su
perfluous, but that it seems to distinguish words
in which the u was silent —as in qui —Irom those
in which it was pronounced, as in cui.*
“Kenimet Q, quamvis figura et nomine vi
deantur aliquant habere differentiam, cum G ta
men eandem, tain in sono vocum quam in metro,
continent potestatem. Et Iv quidem penitus su
pervacua est.” L. I. i. iv.
And again :
• * * * “quamvis in vatia figura, et vario
nomine sint K et Q et C, tamen, quia unam vim
habent tam in metro quam in sono, pro una
litera accipi debent. L. 1. c. iv.
“ Iv. supervacua est, ut supra diximus; quae
quamvis scribatur, nullam aliatn vim habet quarn
0.” L. I. c. viii.
Most of the other old grammarians concur with
Priscian in rejecting the k, except in the case of
abbreviations. Donatus, Scaurus, and some
others, however, defend the use of the k, which
they contend should be employed before a, as the
q before u, the c before c , i, and o . But they
allege no reason for its use other than the custom
of some older writersf If there had existed so
sufficient a reason, as that which occasioned the
introduction of the k into the English alphabet,
they could not have been silent respecting it.
[Numerous other authorities, and all of the
most eminent character, might be cited in sup
port of the foregoing opinions; but one or two
more shall suffice for the present.
Zumpt (Lat. Gram. §6, Schmitz’ trans.) thus
expresses himself—“We pronounce c when fol
lowed by c, z, y, ce or ce both in Latin and Greek
words, like our s, and when followed by other
vowels, or by consonants, like our k. The Ro
mans, on the other hand, as far as we can ascer
tain, always pronounced c like k ; and the Greeks
in their intercouse with the Romans did not hear
any other pronunciation.
Scheller attributes this corruption to the Frank
ish dialect of the Teutonic language.
Lipsius ( Dialogus de recta P ronuntiatione Lin
gua Latina) expresses himself respecting the pro
nunciation of the letter c, in this remarkable man
ner.
“Pudet non tam erroris quam pertinacice, quia
corripi patiuntur at non corrigi, et tenent omnes quod
de feudal nemo. Itali, Hispani, Germani, Galli, Brit
anni in hoc peccato; a qua gente initium emen
dandi ? Audeat enim una aliqua et omnes au
dient.
As respects q we may add, that although it was
usually followed by a second vowel after its u ,
the older practice of the Romans did not so limit
its use. Thus Pcqunia, pcqudcs, qum,equs , are met
with.— Key on the Alphabet . ]
If the wanton changes we make in the sounds
of the consonants rob the Latin tongue of much
of its force and energy, our false pronunciation
of the vowels is equally detrimental to its eupho
ny, and is absolutely fatal to the measure of an
cient verse. Such a confusion,indeed,has it intro
duced into our ideas upon this latter subject that
few persons have any distinct idea of the differ
ence between accent and quantity ; and this is true
even of many who, if called upon, could define
both terms very accurately. The constant habit
of observing the quantity of that syllable
which gives the rule for the accent, leads natural
ly to this result. So far is this the case, that it is
customary to call the placing ol an accent wrongly,
giving a “ false quantity; ” and such a slip is
considered to cast a grave imputation on the
scholarship of the offender, who would yet have
avoided all reproach, if he had placed the accent
of the word rightly, though he had violated the
quantity of every syllable. English and Ameri
can scholars attach vast importance to this matter
of accent; it is indeed the only thing in which
they pique themselves upon a conformity with
ancient custom. The ear of an English latinist is
keenly alive to this horror of a “ false quantity ;” and
this, though it is manifest that no one, pronouncing
*We reverse this rule. Our pronunciation of cui makes
the nominative feminine (qua) the dative. The custom of
writing cui with ac, in order to distinguish it from the nomi
native, was introduced in the time of Quintilian. He tells us
that, in his youth, it was written quoi. It is found on inscrip
tions written quoiei, quoei and quei, That the difference be
tween the pronunciation of qui and cui was anciently correct
ly observed in England is proved by the directions given bv
Beda i . his treatise on Othography.
‘•Q litera tunc recto ponitur, cum illi statim U litera et alia
quaelibet pluresve vocalos coniunctae fuerint ita at una syllaba
fiat cnetera per C scribuntur. Qui llaba per qui scribitur ;
si dividitur per cui scribenda est.”
fThe origin of this custom was a modo of abbreviation com
mon with the Romans, wbicb consisted in denoting a syllable
by a single consonant, when the vowel of this syllable was the
wrae with that by which the consonant was pronounced in
the alphabet. Thus b for the syllable be ; bne was read
bene ; c, in like manner, stood for the syllable ce ; but, as the
vowel a was contained in the name of the k , this letter was
used to denote the syllable ca ; thus era would be read cera :
kra , cara.
according to the English custom, can read five
lines of Latin poetry without giving as many false
quantities as he utters words. Is this an exag
geration? We believe it will not be found so,
when it is considered that ii is only in words
having the penultimate long, that we are sure ol
having the quantity ot even one syllable correctly
given ; and there is still room for one or more
errors, according to the number of syllables ol
which the word is composed. For example, in
divinus we indeed give the quantity of the second
syllable correctly, but we vitiate that ol the fiist,
making it short, whereas it should be long; and,
in the dative and ablative plural ol this word, we
add yet another error in the final syllable ; again
giving a short for a long, and thus depriving the
word of one-third of its just proportion of sound.
In words of more than two syllables, where the
accent falls on the antepenultimate, it is usual
with us to shorten the accented syllable, whatever
be its real quantity; as , frigidus, which we pro
nounce short, though the accented vowel is long.
We except from this rule, however, words in
which the vowel of the penultimate is followed by
another vowel. In these, we lengthen the accent
ed antepenultimate, unless the vowel ol the ac
cented sylable be i ; in this case we shorten ii
without scruple. Thus, manco , careo , &c., have
thcrir first syllable pronounced long, though it is
short; while in frigeo , vinca,See. , their first syllable
is made short, though in reality long. The alien,
as the accented vowel of an antepenultimate is al
ways short; the u , on the other hand, in the same
position,enjoys the privilege of being always long,
whatever its just claims in this respect ; as in du
bito, fugito, But, with regard to words of this
class, let Mr. Walker speak*. We will only pre
mise that the passage quoted was not written, as
might be supposed, to warn the student against
the errors of the English pronunciation of Latin,
but, on the contrary, to instruct him how he may
more accurately conform himself to them. These
directions are particularly designed, as the preface
informs us, for the benefit of self-teaching stu
dents, whose undirected reason might otherwise
perhaps, have led them to seek the rules of Latin
pronunciation in the language itself; or, in the
works of ancient grammarians, and who, in the
simplicity of ignorance, might even have supposed
that quantity had something to do in Latin verse.
“ Every accented antepenulate but u, even
when followed by one consonant only, is, in our
pronunciation of Latin, as well as of English,
short; thus fabula. separo,diligo,nobilis,cucumis, have
the first syllables pronounced as in the English
words capital , celebrate , simony , solitude, Incident , in
direct opposition to the Latin quantity, which
makes every antepenultimate vowel in all diese
words, but the last, long ; and this we pronounce
long, though short in Latin. But if a semi-conso
nant dipthong succed, then every such vowel is
sounded long but i in our pronunciation of both
languages ; and Eugancus, Eugenia , f lius, folium,
dubia , have the vowel in the antepenultimate syl
lable pronounced exactly as in the English words
satiate, menial, delirious, notorious, penurious ; though
they are all short in Latin but the i, which we
pronounce short, though in the Latin it is long.”
In words of two syllables it is our custom to
make the first syllable long without regard to its
actual quantity. The aof vador, I give bail, and
of vado, I march ; the e of lego, I read, and of
lego, I depute; the i of dico, I dedicate, and of
dico, I say ; the 6 of Notus, the South Wind, and
of notus , known, receive all the same quantity.—
Tho masculine and neuter idem are long alike ;
duds, the genitive of the noun, and duels, the se
cond person of the verb ; sedcs, thou sittest, and
scdcs, a scat, know no distinction.
[So also the following words, which were dis
tinguished by the Romans in pronunciation, but
are not so distinguished by us. Legis, legi, lege ,
leges, with long penult, from lex, a law, and legis,
legi, lege, leges , with short penult from lego, I
choose, I read: liber, free, and liber, a book ; solum,
neut. of solus, alone, and solum, the ground; voces,
vocern, from vox the voice, and voces, voeem, from
voco, I call; uti, to use, and uti, that; nit or, I strive,
and nitor , brightness, nitens, striving, and nitens,
shining, concilium, an assembly, and consilium,
deliberation, counsel; regis, regi, rege, reges, from
rex, a king, and regis, regi, rege, j-eges, from rego,
I rule ; quoque, pro. from quoque, adv.; refert, it con
cerns, and refert, he relates; levis, smooth, and
levis, light ;pilus, a company of soldiers, and pilus
the hair; pila, a mortar, and pila, a ball; populus,
a poplar, and poputus , a people; malus, an ap
ple-tree, and malus, bad ; malum , an apple, and
malum, an evil; annus, a year, and anus, an old wo
man ; cera , wax, and sera, late ; ccro, to wax over,
scro , to sow, and sero late ; edo, to put forth, to ut
ter, and edo, to eat; ccva, a small cow, and sceva,
cruel; cella, a cell, and sella, a seat; molita, from
molior, I strive, and molita from molo, I grind, dc
derc from dedo, and dcderc from do ; moror, to play
the fool, and moror, to delay, as (Suet. N era. 33.)
“nam et morari eum inter homines c/mme,producta
prima syllaba, iocabatur.”
This list might be very considerably extended,
but examples enough have been adduced to prove
how greatly perspicuity would be promoted by
a proper attention to the true pronunciation of
Latin.]
* We refer to Mr. Walker, in this connection, because we
observe that his rules for Greek and Latin proper names have
been made the basis of the system of pronunciation inculca
ted in the grammars used in our principal schools. Mr.
Walker is, moreover, we believe, the highest authority for the
mispronunciation otwov&s, whether Greek, Latiu, or English.
BIABE’S PATENT,
FIRE-PROOF PAINT, FROM OHIO.
THIS Singular and valuable Substance is sold in fine powder,
then mixed with linseed oil to the consistency of thick paint,
and applied with a brush, and after an exposure of a tew months to
the atmosphere, this coating becomes a perfect slate or coat ol mail
protecting whatever is covered trom the action of the weather and
fiom fire.
It is a mineral substance, and has been found upon analyzation
by Dr. Chilton, of the city of New York, to consist of larger pro
portions of Silicia Alumine, Prot. Oxide ot Iron and Magnesia,
with lesser of Lime and Carbon. It is used extensively for cover
ing roofs of either shingles, matched boards, tin, zinc,sheet iron or
thick paper, if vourshinglcs have been on for years, you have only
to sweep off themossand lint, with astiff broom, and cover with
two or three good coats, and in a few months you have a perfect slate
roof, impervious to the action of the weather and fire. There is
nothing equal to it for steamboats and car decks, for all kinds ot iron,
it forms a coating nearly as hard as the iron itself, and never cleaves
ofi’. It should be used for everything that you wish to piotect trom
fire and weather.
In some places a spurious article has been sold as the genuine,
therefore purchasers should be careful to buy ot authorized Agents
Every Bbl. is marked BLAKE’S FIREPROOF PAINT.
The above Paint is for sale by C. A. L. LAMAR
sept 13 ts Savannah, Ga.
7 JOHN MALLE RY,
DRAPER AND TAILOR,
No. 55 Bay street , adjoining the City Hotel ,
INVITES attention to his Stock of New and Seasonable Goods.
now opening, consisting of choice Ready-Made CLOTHING
and FURNISHING GOODS, comprising every article of Gen
tlemen’s apparel
A Iso, a full supply of CLOTHS, CASSI MERES, and VEST
INGS, of various, shades and qualities—which will be made to
order in the most approved style, by competent and experienced
Workmen, warranted to give entire satisfaction, and at Prices to
suit the times. oct 18
RICH PAPIER MACHE GOODS.- The Subscriber is open
ing a select stock of the above, consisting of Port-Fo
lios, Writing Desks, Ink-stands, Ladies’Work Boxes, Cabinets,
Albums, Odeur Cases, &c.
Also, of Rosewood and Mahogany Desks, neat and low priced
Mahogany and Cedar Work Boxes, Card Cases. Porte Monaies,
Ivory Tablets, Pearl and Ivory Paper Knives, Pen Holders of
new and improved style, very• handsome ; Pocket Books, Pa
peteries, Gold and Silver Pen and Pencil Cases, &c., &c.
Also a collection of new and handsome Juvenile Books for
children of all ages.
oct 18 JOHN M. COOPER.
DANCING ACADEMY.
j\ f ONSIEURA. BONAUD'S Academy will open on Tuesday,
IT-L IGtli inst.,ats o’clock, P. M. All his former Pupils are
respectfully invited to attend—the German Band being engaged
for the occasion.
Tuition Days—Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from five to
seven, for young Ladies and Masters. Terms of tuition, sl2
per term.
N. B.—Pupils who have been under Mr. B’s care for two
terms, will be received in his Saturday class for s"> per term.
Gentlemen’s Class for Polka, Waltz, Mazurka, &c. cVc., open
same evening as above from 9to 11, P. M.
Terms $5 for every Dance, payable in advance,
oct 18
SITUATION WAN TED Ay a middle aged man, who has been
for a number of years engaged in the Waiehouse of the Central
Railroad. Satisfactory references will be given. A moderaie
compensation is all that is required. oct. 11—ts
FALL AND WINTER CLOTHING.
TO the Merchants of Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ala
bama and Florida.—The subscribers having established a
house in this city for the sale of READY MADE CLOTHING in
connection with an extensive Manufacturing establishment in New
ark, N. J., where one of the firm gives his personal attention en
tirely to the rnanutarture, while the other devotes himself to the
receipt and sale ot the same in Savannah. Possessing these advan
tages, we flatter ourselves that we can compete with any establish
ment in the United States in Price, style and workmanship, We
are now receiving our Fall and Winter supply, to which we invite
the attention of merchants, planters, and the public in general,
sept 6 PIERSON & HEIDT.
R. “s. IIARD WICkT&TCOOKE,
FACTORS & COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
Savannah, Ga.
THE Undersigned have associated themselves, under the above
style, in the business above specified. Mr. Hardwick is a
Planter of Hancock county, and, of course, identified in feeling and
interest with his brother Planters. Mr. Cooke is a citizen of Sa
vannah, and is thoroughly acquainted with all the branches of the
Commission Business.
We are prepared to make liberal advances on produce instore,
and will fill orders for Plantation and Family Supplies with scrupu
lous care.
JVe are mutually bound not to speculate in Cotton or any other
article of Merchandise.
We respectfully solicit patronage and pledge ourselves to deserve
it by faithful attention to the business entrusted to us.
R. S. HARDWICK,
aug 23 J. G. COOKE.
Slaves.
PERSONS in the country desirous of engaging in getting out
Staves, are informed that the preparation required for foreign
export is as follows :
To be made either out of White Oak or Water Oak Trees.
Length, from 42 to 44 inches.
Breadth, not less than 4 or more than 7 inches.
Thickness, not less than 1 or more than inches on the thinest
part of the thinest edge.
The back and edge of the Stave should be dressed down to the
same thickness—should have a clear cleft or split, and be free from
knots, crooks, and worm-holes.
Staves prepared in conformity with this specification will be re
ceived at the full market price during the ensuing autumn and
winter. Present value, thirty-five dollars per one thousand pieces.
Aug 2 ANDRP.W LOW & CO.
JOHN A. GEORGE.
TIN PLATE, SHEET IRON, COPPER,
ZINC AND LEAD WORKER,
No. 80, St. Julian Street.
THE Subscriber would inform the public that he engages no
hands but those who are fully competent to turn out work in .ell
branches of his business faithfully and workmanlike, at the shortest
notice. Particularly Ship and House Plumbing. A Good Assort
ment of Manufactured Tin Ware will hereatter be kept constantly
on hand at low prices for Cash.
Orders from the County punctually attended to. ly aug 23
Window sashes and blinds.— booo lights,h by 10
Sash ; 2000 do JO by 12 do ; 1000 do assorted sizes ; 100
pair Venetian Blinds, assorted sizes. For sale by
1 Aug 2 J G. FALLIGANT.
WANTED TO HIRE—A Negro Boy,about 14 to 16 years old,
of good oharacter, and well acquainted with the city. En
quire at this office ts octll
WHITE LEAD. — IO,OOO LBS. Atlantic White Lead, war
ranted pure ; 4000 English do. do. do. For sale by
J. G. FALLIGANT.
WOOD, WOOD, WOOD. — The subscribers will keep con
stantly on hand a supply of the best Black Jack and Oak
Wood for sale in lots to suit purchasers. R. A. ALLEN & CO.
oct 4 3mo *
Turpentine.
“I IT BARRELS City Distilled, for sale by
1 Avr Aug 2 j. G. FALLIGANT*
HOWARD HOUSE
MARIETTA, GEORGIA. ’
WE are gratified to inform the public, and especially t
from the low country, that the Howard
passed into our agency, we are determined to do awa v *
complaints that Marietta does not afford the requisite conv
by which visiters vyould be induced to sojourn in this deliuSl!*®**
cality.
The Howard House is now renovated, and accommodati
pared which cannot fail to please. Ihe chambers are p| ej J ns
conveniently furnished. The table will be amply suppl I J I, '* | t
every luxury the country affords. Attentive servants aie e
In short, if agreeable quarters, a well spread table, cleanlm
attention, joined with moderate charges, can please, \\q as es,,| H
patrons that they will be found at the Howard House. Ure <*
se P 6 ’ DI X fletche*
Swift, Dcnslow & Webster.
DEALERS in Groceries Provisions, p or
and Domestic Liquors, Oil, Gunpowder, Shot p
and wrapping Paper. Corner of Bay and Whitaker
Savannah, Georgia. llee^
DWARO SWIFT, ALLEN A. DENSLOW, * JOSEPH W wr.
July 25 ‘ BsT| *
“FALL AND WINTER CLOTH L\(T^
JUST received per brig Clinton, a splendid assortment 0 /t
Coats, Frocks and backs, fancy Lass. Bants, fancy's; ,, W| N
Cass. Vests, together with a large assoitment of Twill i
-and Jackets, Satinet Pants and Jackets, Cordernv
Beaver Coats, Sacks, Blanket and Flushing Coats and o\erO
For sale, very low, wholesale and retail, at No. JO Whitai . IlssePt 1ls-
sePt **’ PIERSON fc HEl 'if
Dentistry.
I'\R. PANCOST has removed to JBrjan street, East sirl.v
L/ ument square near (he Slate bank, H i,ere he n.av bt f?
at all hours, night or day, fully prepared to wait up 0 „ hisfnead
the public generally. 18l fc
N. B. Artificial teeth inserted fiom one to a whole set
ured to give satisfaction to the wearer. an “ 11,
N. B. Chaiges greatly reduced. 6mo ailk (|
A €Altaf. -
THE undersigned having re-opened, with ~
entire New Stock of DRUGS, CHEMICAIs
FANCY ARTICLES, at No. 139 (South side) IW,
street, (formerly Walker’s Marble Y ard,) is now ready t
furnish any thing in his line, at the shortest notice. sUjn°
WATER, made in his own peculiar way, sent to any p„ n of
the city', and always to be hud at the store, in the highest star
of perfection. b “ 8,11
Prescriptions put up with care and despatch.
The subscriber having served the public long mid faithfully
respectfully solicits a share of their patronage.
tt P r 26 THUS. RYEKSON.
To the Planters and Farmers of Souti
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tonn.
essee and Florida.
T AM THE AUTHORIZED AGENT lor ihe
-L sale and purchase of the CAM ELINA SATIVA or I
GOLD Os PLEASURE SEED, a native of Siberia.
1 am now ready to fill all orders for the seed, and being au
thorised by the Company to purchase the same, I will paytbi
highest market, price for all that may be shipped to me io
Savannah. WM. HUMPHREYS, Jr.,
inay 31 Agent for the Company of New York.
Situation Wanted.
B\ A YOUNG MAN, as Clerk or Book keeper,
good references can be given to any person needing hn
services. Apply at this office. may 31
CLOT 111 AG.
T)ILRSON Sc HEIDT offer for sale Clothing,
1 Wholesale and Retail, at New York prices. No. 1C
Whitaker-street. a p r og
To lhe Public.
THE Subscriber, having entered extensively
into the making of BRICK of a superior quality todj
manufactured in this city, is prepared to fillorders at the short
est notice, and as low as any establishment of the kind in or
near Savannah. WM. H. LLOYD.
June 21
ROBERT N. ADAMS*
CABINET-MAKE It AND UNDERTAKER,
No. 93 Broughton St., Savannah, Ga.,
IS prepared to execute all orders in his lineal
the lowest prices, with dispatch. Orders from tile country
promptly attended to. Ready-made coffins always on hand,
and made to order at short notice.
June 28 3mo
M. A. ('ohcii.
(Late of the firm of S. Solomons Cos.)
COMMISSION AND FORWARDING MERCHANT.
SAVANNAH, GA.
Agent for steam packets 11. L. Cook and Ivanhoe. .
may 10
MARSH & WEBSTER,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
175 Bay-Street—Up-Stairs.
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.
Mulford Marsh. Andrew M. N\ ebster
BOOK AND JOB PRINTING,
Os all kinds, executed at Ihia Office, will* neatness nni
despatch.
HAY 7 ING lately 7” put our Office in complete order
and made large additions to it, we have now the most ei
tensive Job Printing Office in the City and are prepared to
execute all kinds of PLAIN AND FANCY r PRINTING
with neatness and despatch, and on the most accomodate
terms. Office 102 Bryan-street, entrance on Bay Lane.
Savannah, March 22d, 1849. EDWARD J. PURSE-
A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY,
A WEEKLY SOUTHERN NEWSPAPER, PUBLISHED
EVERY THURSDAY, BY
EDWARD J. PURSE.
TERMS:—T WO DOLLARS A Y r EA H<
Three Copies for one year, or one copy three years, $
Seven Copies, - - _ _ _ . 10 O’
Twelve Copies, - _ _ . _ 15 $
*** Advertisements to a limited extent, will be
at the rate of 50 cents for a square of nine lines or less* lor
the first insertion, and 30 cents for each subsequent inserti° n
Business cards inserted for a year at Five Dollars.
iSSF 3 A liberal discount will be made to Post Masters
will do us the favor to act as Agents.
Postmasters are authorized to remit money to Publiahe *
and all money mailed in presence of the Postmaster,
duly forwarded by him, is at our risk.
EF 3 All communications to be addressed (post-paid) *
E. J. PURSE, Svßnnaii *■