A conversation I had at Penkridge today called my attention to the great improvement which has taken place in the pronunciation of the lower orders in this county during the last 40 years. I remember various words and phrases peculiar to them which are now almost extinct. “Welly nigh clammed” - (well nigh starved), “he hosses well”, (a very common phrase, now almost out of use, signifying he tries well, he does his best).The vowel "i" was always pronounced as a dipthong as mind, night, try, fly (which were pronounced moind, noight, troy, floy). “A djel heamer” (a deal homer, or nearer) was in everyone’s mouth. The word deal was always pronounced djel or jel. Improved means of intercourse and the schoolmaster have nearly banished the old dialect.