within our powers. The other is theoretically more expeditious, but practically would delay all progress while mankind was seeking to develop a degree of muscular energy and concentration of purpose beyond anything of which it has hitherto proved itself capable.
The Customary Method
The changes that hav been made in English spelling in the past hav all come into use gradually, one or two at a time—so gradually, in fact, that at all times, as today, there hav been, and ar, many words speld in more than one way on equal authority of good usage. Accordingly, in proposing further changes, the Board has preferd to follow the customary method, natural to the genius of the race, rather than to attempt to force the acceptance of an entirely novel and violently revolutionary scheme of spelling, no matter how ideal and sientifically admirable it might be.
Acceleration Possible
"Gradual," however, is a word of elastic definition, and gradual progress may be made much more rapidly and surely under one set of conditions than under another—under the conditions that the Board aims to establish, for example, than under those that hav hitherto prevaild.
The changes that hav appeared in English spelling in the past hav been the results of individual initiativ and example—some of them inspired by knowledge, reason, and common-sense, but others resulting from erroneous notions concerning the true function of spelling, from ignorance of the history of the language, and from etimologic or filologic incompetence, yet accepted by a public misled by the supposed learning of
