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American Notes
American Notes

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of American Notes is here in full — 119 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 13 of American Notes by Charles Dickens holds 119 sentences, grouped into 24 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 13 of American Notes contain?

Chapter 13 holds 119 sentences of American Notes, unabridged, divided into 24 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of American Notes by Charles Dickens exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 119 sentences, grouped into 24 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 13 of American Notes?

Work through the 24 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 24 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 13 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 13 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.

Questions about reading American Notes

Common questions about reading American Notes by Charles Dickens on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of American Notes?

Yes. All 3533 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #675 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of American Notes is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #675, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does American Notes take to read?

About 294 minutes of reading across 707 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read American Notes section by section

How to work through American Notes section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of American Notes to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in American Notes

Words and structures a reader meets early in American Notes, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Worcester
A word that appears in the opening chapter of American Notes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Connecticut
A word that appears in the opening chapter of American Notes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
River
A word that appears in the opening chapter of American Notes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hartford
A word that appears in the opening chapter of American Notes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for American Notes
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FROM PITTSBURG TO CINCINNATI IN A WESTERN STEAMBOAT.
CINCINNATI
THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.
She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.
We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies cabin.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

American Notes

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of American Notes is here in full — 119 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FROM PITTSBURG TO CINCINNATI IN A WESTERN STEAMBOAT.
Line 2
CINCINNATI
Line 3
THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.
Line 4
She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.
Line 5
We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladiescabin.
All words in this reading · 78

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

A

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

From this reading FROM PITTSBURG TO CINCINNATI IN A WESTERN STEAMBOAT.

among

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

an

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

and

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

appeared

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

backed

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

bank

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

berths

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

board

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

by

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

cabin

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

CINCINNATI

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

From this reading FROM PITTSBURG TO CINCINNATI IN A WESTERN STEAMBOAT.

clustered

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

crowd

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

deck

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

down

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

exclusive

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

floating

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

for

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

forms

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

forty

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

FROM

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

From this reading FROM PITTSBURG TO CINCINNATI IN A WESTERN STEAMBOAT.

ground

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

had

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

half

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

her

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

high-pressure

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

hour

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

IN

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

From this reading FROM PITTSBURG TO CINCINNATI IN A WESTERN STEAMBOAT.

it

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

ladies

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

landing-place

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

larger

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

less

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

lofty

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

looked

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

lower

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

many

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

Messenger

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

models

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

no

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

of

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

on

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

one

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

opening

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

opposite

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

or

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

ourselves

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

out

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

passengers

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

persons

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

PITTSBURG

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

From this reading FROM PITTSBURG TO CINCINNATI IN A WESTERN STEAMBOAT.

poorer

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

proceeded

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

rising

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

river

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

She

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

side

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

so

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

some

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

state-room

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

STEAMBOAT

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

From this reading FROM PITTSBURG TO CINCINNATI IN A WESTERN STEAMBOAT.

steamboats

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

than

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

that

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

THE

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

tiny

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

TO

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

From this reading FROM PITTSBURG TO CINCINNATI IN A WESTERN STEAMBOAT.

together

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

two

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

upon

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

was

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

way

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

From this reading She had some forty passengers on board, exclusive of the poorer persons on the lower deck; and in half an hour, or less, proceeded on her way.

We

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.

WESTERN

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

From this reading FROM PITTSBURG TO CINCINNATI IN A WESTERN STEAMBOAT.

wharf-side

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

which

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

From this reading THE Messenger was one among a crowd of high-pressure steamboats, clustered together by a wharf-side, which, looked down upon from the rising ground that forms the landing-place, and backed by the lofty bank on the opposite side of the river, appeared no larger than so many floating models.

with

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

From this reading We had, for ourselves, a tiny state-room with two berths in it, opening out of the ladies’ cabin.