_"An" before "u" long_ (Vol. viii., p. 244.).--The custom of writing
_an_ before _u_ long must have arisen and become established when _u_
had its primitive and vowel sound, nearly resembling that of our _oo_, a
sound which it still has in several languages, but seems to have lost in
ours. The use of _an_ before _u_ long, was _then_ proper; habit and
precedent will account for its retention by many, after the reason for
it has ceased, and when its use has become improper. But although the
custom is thus accounted for, there exists no satisfactory reason for
its continuance, and I am sorry to learn from your correspondent that it
is "increasingly prevailing."