A Frenchman in America

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of A Frenchman in America is here in full — 101 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Max O'Rell • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for A Frenchman in America

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES--THE BOOTH-MODJESKA COMBINATION.

_Boston, January 26._ "Max Eliot" devotes a charming and most flattering article to me in this morning's _Herald_, embodying the conversation we had together yesterday in the Boston _Herald's_ office.

Many thanks, Max.

A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XVI Reading 1/20

A Frenchman in America

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of A Frenchman in America is here in full — 101 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

Line 2

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES--THE BOOTH-MODJESKA COMBINATION.

Line 3

Line 4

Many thanks, Max.

/ˈmeni θæŋks mæks/

Line 5

A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

Learner Dictionary

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.

devotes verb US /dɪˈvoʊts/

third-person singular of “devote” — give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause

From this reading “_Boston, January 26._ "Max Eliot" devotes a charming and most flattering article to me in this morning's _Herald_, embodying the conversation we had together yesterday in the Boston _Herald's_ office.”

Eliot noun US /ˈeliət/

British poet (born in the United States) who won the Nobel prize for literature; his plays are outstanding examples of modern verse drama (1888-1965)

embodying verb US /ɪmˈbɑːdiɪŋ/

-ing form of “embody” — represent in bodily form

galaxy noun US /ˈɡæləksi/

a splendid assemblage (especially of famous people)

From this reading “A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.”

Herald verb US /ˈherəld/

foreshadow or presage

Herald's noun US /ˈherəldz/

possessive form of “herald” — (formal) a person who announces important news

journalists noun US /ˈdʒɜːrnələsts/

plural of “journalist” — a writer for newspapers and magazines

From this reading “A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.”

morning's noun US /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/

possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon

Word partnerships in these lines

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.

most flattering adverb + adjective

In this reading “_Boston, January 26._ "Max Eliot" devotes a charming and most flattering article to me in this morning's _Herald_, embodying the conversation we had together yesterday in the Boston _Herald's_ office.”

Many thanks adjective + noun

In this reading “Many thanks, Max.”

charming women adjective + noun counted as “charming woman”

In this reading “A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.”

All words in this reading · 55

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.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Boston, January 26._ "Max Eliot" devotes a charming and most flattering article to me in this morning's _Herald_, embodying the conversation we had together yesterday in the Boston _Herald's_ office.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

articlenounUS /ˈɑːrtəkəl/

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

artistsnounUS /ˈɑːrtɪsts/

plural of “artist” — a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

BOOTH-MODJESKA

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES--THE BOOTH-MODJESKA COMBINATION.

BOSTONnounUS /ˈbɑːstən/

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

charmingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɑːrmɪŋ/

pleasing or delighting

CitizennounUS /ˈsɪtəzən/

a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

COMBINATIONnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/

a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

From this reading OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES--THE BOOTH-MODJESKA COMBINATION.

conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

devotesverbUS /dɪˈvoʊts/

third-person singular of “devote” — give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

EliotnounUS /ˈeliət/

British poet (born in the United States) who won the Nobel prize for literature; his plays are outstanding examples of modern verse drama (1888-1965)

embodyingverbUS /ɪmˈbɑːdiɪŋ/

-ing form of “embody” — represent in bodily form

flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/

showing or representing to advantage

Francis

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

galaxynounUS /ˈɡæləksi/

a splendid assemblage (especially of famous people)

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

HeraldverbUS /ˈherəld/

foreshadow or presage

Herald'snounUS /ˈherəldz/

possessive form of “herald” — (formal) a person who announces important news

HOLMESnounUS /hoʊmz/

a fictitious detective in stories by A. Conan Doyle

From this reading OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES--THE BOOTH-MODJESKA COMBINATION.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

journalistsnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrnələsts/

plural of “journalist” — a writer for newspapers and magazines

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

LECTUREverbUS /ˈlektʃər/

deliver a lecture or talk

From this reading A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

LIVELYadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvli/

full of life and energy

From this reading A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

ManyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Many thanks, Max.

MaxnounUS /mæks/

street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

metverbUS /met/

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

morning'snounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/

possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

OLIVERnounUS /ˈɑːləvər/

United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)

From this reading OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES--THE BOOTH-MODJESKA COMBINATION.

receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/

the manner in which something is greeted

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

SUNDAYnounUS /ˈsʌndeɪ/

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

thanksnounUS /θæŋks/

an acknowledgment of appreciation

From this reading Many thanks, Max.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

THEATERnounUS /ˈθiːətər/

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading A LIVELY SUNDAY IN BOSTON--LECTURE IN THE BOSTON THEATER--DR.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

TrainverbUS /treɪn/

create by training and teaching

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

WENDELL

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES--THE BOOTH-MODJESKA COMBINATION.

womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading A reception was given to me this afternoon by Citizen George Francis Train, and I met many artists, journalists, and a galaxy of charming women.

yesterdaynounUS /ˈjestərdeɪ/

the day immediately before today

Chapter 16 of A Frenchman in America by Max O'Rell holds 101 sentences, grouped into 21 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.

What does chapter 16 of A Frenchman in America contain?

Chapter 16 holds 101 sentences of A Frenchman in America, unabridged, divided into 21 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of A Frenchman in America by Max O'Rell exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 101 sentences, grouped into 21 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.

How do I study chapter 16 of A Frenchman in America?

Work through the 21 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 21 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.

Can chapter 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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.

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Yes. All 3717 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #32261 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #32261, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 309 minutes of reading across 744 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in A Frenchman in America

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Frenchman: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Frenchman in America; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
America: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Frenchman in America; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Frenchman in America; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Jonathan: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Frenchman in America; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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