XIV 
PREFACE. 
quite equal to other nations, as, for instance, Dutchmen 
or Russians, who are obliged, the former by the small¬ 
ness of their country, the latter by their barbarism, to 
learn a number of foreign languages. It cannot, of course, 
be denied that some languages are a worse preparation 
for the acquisition of foreign sounds than others, but a 
thorough training in general phonetics soon levels the 
inequality, and enables the learner to develope his special 
gifts independently of outward circumstances. It is on 
its value as the foundation of the practical study of lan¬ 
guage that the claims of phonetics to be considered an 
essential branch of education mainly rest. 
Christiania, Aug. 27, 1877.