[3] It will immediately occur to any grammarian that there is a slight difference between this and the common division into _mutes_ and _liquids_, by the letter _m_ being removed from the class of liquids to that of mutes. This is not an oversight, but an intentional arrangement; as the _accidents_ of the letter _m_ are, in Gaelic, the same with those of the mute, not of the liquid consonants. For a like reason, _s_ is included in the class of liquids.
[4] Writers, who have touched on this part of Gaelic Grammar, following the Irish grammarians, have divided the consonants further into _mutable_ and _immutable_. The former name has been given to consonants which, in writing, have been occasionally combined with the letter _h_; and the latter name to those consonants which have not, in writing, been combined with _h_. But, in fact, both classes of consonants are alike _mutable_ in their pronunciation; and their _mutation_ ought to have been marked in the orthography, though it has not. This defect in Gaelic orthography has been often observed and regretted, though it has never been corrected. Rather than continue a distinction which has no foundation in the structure of the language, I venture to discard the division of _mutable_ and _immutable_ consonants, as not merely useless, but as tending to mislead the learner.
[5] In explaining the sounds of the letters I have availed myself of the very correct and acute remarks on this subject annexed to the Gaelic version of the New Testament, 1767.
[6] If it be thought that this renders the language too monotonous, it may be observed, on the other hand, that it prevents ambiguities and obscurities in rapid speaking, as the accent marks the initial syllable of polysyllables. Declaimers, of either sex, have often found their advantage in this circumstance.
[7] That is the second sound assigned to a.
[8] The plural of la or latha _a day_, is sometimes written laeth; but it is doubtful how far this is a proper mode of writing it.
[9] The effect of the vowels in qualifying the sound of the adjoining consonants will be explained in treating of the Palatals and Linguals.
[10] This propensity is seen in the aspirating of consonants in Gaelic words, which have an evident affinity to words in other languages, where the same consonants are not so aspirated. The following list will sufficiently illustrate and confirm the truth of this remark:--