Chapter 4 of 1851 is here in full — 253 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter IV
Chapter 4 of 1851 is here in full — 253 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
“Han’ me that peype, weyfe! I’ll smuik an’ think. Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be. Now supper’s ruddy, weep nae mair, weyfe. Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
Chapter 4 of 1851 is here in full — 253 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.
plural of “duo” — two items of the same kind
From this reading “Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.”
having made preparations
From this reading “Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.”
an association of criminals
From this reading “Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.”
imperial dynasty that ruled China (most of the time from 206 BC to AD 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of Chinese civilization
From this reading ““Han’ me that peype, weyfe!”
not ever; at no time in the past or future
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading “Now supper’s ruddy, weep nae mair, weyfe.”
plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading “Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.”
shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading “Now supper’s ruddy, weep nae mair, weyfe.”
English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.
Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.
In this reading “Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.”
Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.
Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I’ll smuik an’ think.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
plural of “duo” — two items of the same kind
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
having made preparations
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
an association of criminals
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
imperial dynasty that ruled China (most of the time from 206 BC to AD 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of Chinese civilization
From this reading “Han’ me that peype, weyfe!
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’ll smuik an’ think.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now supper’s ruddy, weep nae mair, weyfe.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Han’ me that peype, weyfe!
a form of address for a man
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now supper’s ruddy, weep nae mair, weyfe.
an old word for “no”
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now supper’s ruddy, weep nae mair, weyfe.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Han’ me that peype, weyfe!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
a full supply
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading Now supper’s ruddy, weep nae mair, weyfe.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’ll smuik an’ think.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now supper’s ruddy, weep nae mair, weyfe.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Han’ me that peype, weyfe!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading Ay fain I’d see a smeyle frae thee.”—_Bad News._ MR.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I’ll smuik an’ think.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading Now supper’s ruddy, weep nae mair, weyfe.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Han’ me that peype, weyfe!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
at the time that
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
hit hard
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay, dunnet cry, we ne’er did wrang; The truth I’ll state, whate’er teks pleace, To Carel sizes when I gang; We plenty hev, we’ll dui what’s reeght, weyfe, An’ whop (hope) beath lang may happy be.
Chapter 4 of 1851 by Henry Mayhew holds 253 sentences, grouped into 51 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.
Chapter 4 holds 253 sentences of 1851, unabridged, divided into 51 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 4 of 1851 by Henry Mayhew exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 253 sentences, grouped into 51 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.
Work through the 51 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 51 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 can be played aloud in United States English.
Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.
Common questions about reading 1851 by Henry Mayhew on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 2985 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #65234 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #65234, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 248 minutes of reading across 597 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through 1851 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 24 chapters of 1851 to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in 1851, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
