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Books and Bookmen

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Books and Bookmen is here in full — 149 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Andrew Lang • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Books and Bookmen

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

LONDON LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

_To_ _THE VISCOUNTESS WOLSELEY_.

MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

_Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

_Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?

Narrator

Speed 0.75x

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 I Reading 1/29

Books and Bookmen

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Books and Bookmen is here in full — 149 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

LONDON LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

Line 2

_To_ _THE VISCOUNTESS WOLSELEY_.

Line 3

MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

Line 4

_Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

Line 5

_Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?

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.

Shelf noun US /ʃelf/

A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.

From this reading “_Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?”

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.

A

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

AND

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

From this reading LONDON LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

antiquaries

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

ball

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

From this reading _Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?

bindings

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

bookman's

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

bring

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

Can

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

From this reading _Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

care

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

From this reading _Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

CO

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

From this reading LONDON LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

day

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

Derome

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

From this reading _Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

Dust

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

faded

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

for

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

From this reading _Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

gold

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

Gossip

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

GREEN

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

From this reading LONDON LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

grey

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

I

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

is

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

it

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

joys

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

From this reading _Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?

ladies

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

From this reading _Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

LONDON

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

From this reading LONDON LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

lonely

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

From this reading _Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?

LONGMANS

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

From this reading LONDON LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

MADAME

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

many

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

modish

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

no

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

of

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

old

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

Padeloup

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

From this reading _Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

Payne

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

From this reading _Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

resign

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

From this reading _Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?

rout

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

From this reading _Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?

shelfnounUS /ʃelf/

A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.

From this reading _Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?

stall

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

From this reading _Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?

talk

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

tarnish'd

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

texts

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

that

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

THE

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

From this reading _To_ _THE VISCOUNTESS WOLSELEY_.

they

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

From this reading _Can they resign the rout_, _the ball_, _For lonely joys of shelf and stall_?

thing

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

this

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

To

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

From this reading _To_ _THE VISCOUNTESS WOLSELEY_.

to-do

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

From this reading _Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

tribute

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

type

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

unto

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

From this reading MADAME, it is no modish thing, The bookman’s tribute that I bring; A talk of antiquaries grey, Dust unto dust this many a day, Gossip of texts and bindings old, Of faded type, and tarnish’d gold!

VISCOUNTESS

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

From this reading _To_ _THE VISCOUNTESS WOLSELEY_.

With

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

From this reading _Can ladies care for this to-do_ _With Payne_, _Derome_, _and Padeloup_?

WOLSELEY

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

From this reading _To_ _THE VISCOUNTESS WOLSELEY_.

Chapter 1 of Books and Bookmen by Andrew Lang holds 149 sentences, grouped into 30 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 1 of Books and Bookmen contain?

Chapter 1 holds 149 sentences of Books and Bookmen, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Books and Bookmen by Andrew Lang exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 149 sentences, grouped into 30 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 1 of Books and Bookmen?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Books and Bookmen

Common questions about reading Books and Bookmen by Andrew Lang on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Books and Bookmen?

Yes. All 1515 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1961 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Books and Bookmen is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1961, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Books and Bookmen take to read?

About 126 minutes of reading across 303 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Books and Bookmen section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 10 chapters of Books and Bookmen to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in Books and Bookmen

Words and structures a reader meets early in Books and Bookmen, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

London: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Books and Bookmen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Longmans: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Books and Bookmen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Green: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Books and Bookmen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Viscountess: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Books and Bookmen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.