The word _lengthened_ is often used instead of _long_. Thus we read that such and such an orator made a _lengthened_ speech, when the intended meaning is that he made a _long_ speech. The word _lengthened_ has its appropriate meaning. Thus, after a ship has been built by the Admiralty, it is sometimes cut into two and a piece inserted: this operation, very reprehensible doubtless on financial grounds, is correctly described as _lengthening_ the ship. It will be obvious on consideration that _lengthened_ is not synonymous with _long_. _Protracted_ and _prolonged_ are also often used instead of _long_; though perhaps with less decided impropriety than _lengthened_. A very common phrase with controversial writers is, “we _shrewdly_ suspect.” This is equivalent to, “we acutely suspect.” The cleverness of the suspicion should, however, be attributed to the writers by other people, and not by themselves. The simple word _but_ is often used when it is difficult to see any shade of opposition or contrast such as we naturally expect. Thus we read: “There were several candidates, _but_ the choice fell upon—— of Trinity College.” Another account of the same transaction was expressed thus: “It was understood that there were several candidates; the election fell, _however_, upon—— of Trinity College.” The word _mistaken_ is curious as being constantly used in a sense directly contrary to that which, according to its formation, it ought to have. Thus: “He is often mistaken, but never trivial and insipid.” “He is often mistaken” ought to mean that other people often mistake him; just as “he is often misunderstood” means that people often misunderstand him. But the writer of the above sentence intends to say that “He often makes mistakes.” It would be well if we could get rid of this anomalous use of the word _mistaken_. I suppose that _wrong_ or _erroneous_ would always suffice. But I must admit that good writers do employ _mistaken_ in the sense which seems contrary to analogy; for example, Dugald Stewart does so, and also a distinguished leading philosopher whose style shows decided traces of Dugald Stewart’s influence.