A tale of two shitties

I'm reading A Tale of Two Cities. I don't know why, so don't ask. What matters is that this reading inspires in me one question and one comment.

My question is: Why isn't "cities" spelled "citties", or pronounced "site-eez"?

My comment is: I lied. I have no comment. What I have is a quote from the aforementioned work. I find it rather apt, insomuch as it seems to perfectly describe my most fundamental flaw, and it is for this reason that I share it here, with you. Perhaps you can relate. I hope not.

Sadly, sadly, the sun rose; it rose upon no sadder sight than the man of good abilities and good emotions, incapable of their directed exercise, incapable of his own happiness, sensible of the blight upon him, and resigning himself to let it eat him away."

Maybe that's why I'm reading Dickens. I can't think of any other reason.