(monopoly). pommel (s.), pummel (v.). refrain (v.), refrain (s., in verse). retort (reply), retort (chemical vessel). second (number), second (of time). squall (v.), squall (a gale). slab (s.), slab (adj.). smart (s. and v., sting), smart (adj.). stave (of barrel), stave (of music), [stave in (v.)]. stick (s.), stick (v.). stock (stone), stock (in trade), &c. strut (a support), strut (to walk). share (division), share (plough). sheet (sail and clew), sheet (_-anchor_). shear (clip), sheer (clear), sheer off (deviate). tack (various), tack (naut.). ton, tun. wage (earnings), wage (of war).

IX.  THE FOLLOWING WORDS WERE NOT ADMITTED INTO THE MAIN CLASS CHIEFLY ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR UNIMPORTANCE.

ah! are. arse, ass. ask, aske (newt) ayah, ire. bah! bar, baa. barb, barb (horse). bask, basque. barn, barne = bairn. budge, budge (stuff). buff, buff. buffer, buffer. berg, burgh (suffixes). bin, bin = been. broke (v. of broke), broke (fr. break). broom, brume (fog). darn, darn. fizz, phiz. few, feu. forty, forte. hay, heigh! hem (sew), hem (v., haw). hollow, hollo (v.). inn, in. yawl (boat), yawl (howl). coup, coo. lamb, lam (bang). loaf, loaf (v. laufen). marry! marry (v.). nag (pony), nag (to gnaw), knag. nap (of cloth), nap (sleep). nay, neigh. oh! owe. ode, owed. oxide, ox-eyed. pax, packs. pants, pants (fr. pant). prose, pros (and cons). sink (var.), cinque. swayed, suede (kid). ternary, turnery. tea, tee (starting point). taw (to dress skins), taw (game, marbles), tore (fr. tear). cheap, cheep. tool, tulle, we! woe. ho! hoe.

The facts of the case being now sufficiently supplied by the above list, I will put my attitude towards those facts in a logical sequence under separate statements, which thus isolated will, if examined one by one, avoid the confusion that their interdependence might otherwise occasion.  The sequence is thus: 

    1.  Homophones are a nuisance.

    2.  They are exceptionally frequent in English.

    3.  They are self-destructive, and tend to become obsolete.

    4.  This loss impoverishes the language.

    5.  This impoverishment is now proceeding owing to the
    prevalence of the Southern English standard of speech.

    6.  The mischief is being worsened and propagated by the
    phoneticians.

    7.  The Southern English dialect has no claim to exclusive
    preference.

1. THAT HOMOPHONES ARE A NUISANCE.