As regards phonetics, Jerome’s language shows us the usual characteristic
alterations and abbreviations of vulgar speech.
The uncultivated individual instantly and invariably unmasks himself by
dropping his »_h_’s», however he may struggle to avoid it. On the other
hand, an _h_ not existing in ordinary pronunciation, is sometimes heard
_before a vowel_, especially in _pathetic_ speech.
_Heven_ money on the Purple _Hemperor_! (Three Men On The
Bummel, 74. 10.)
The lean girl said she had »erd on me». The fat girl remarked
genteelly that she too had »heard _h_of me». with _emphasis_
upon the »hof». (P. Kelver II. 68. 6.)
A man’s wife orter be to ’im a gawdess, a _h_angel, a — —.
(Novel Notes 212. 31.)