Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays
Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays is here in full — 431 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron Macaulay • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays
Context Illustration Reading 1/86 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.
In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.
In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.
That an aristocracy will abuse its advantage, is, according to Mr. Mill, matter of demonstration.
Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?
0:00 / 0:00
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.

Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays is here in full — 431 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/86 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.
/ðə keɪs ˌɪnˈdiːd ɪz ˈstrɪktli əˈnæləɡəs tuː ðæt ʌv æn ərˌɪstəˈkrætɪk ˈɡʌvərmənt/
Line 2
In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.
/ɪn æn ˌerəˈstɑːkrəsi sez ˈmɪstər mɪl ðə fjuː ˈbiːɪŋ ˌɪnˈvestəd wɪð ðə ˈpaʊərz ʌv ˈɡʌvərmənt kæn teɪk ðə ˈɑːbdʒekts ʌv ðer dɪˈzaɪərz frʌm ðə ˈpiːpəl/
Line 3
In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.
Line 4
That an aristocracy will abuse its advantage, is, according to Mr. Mill, matter of demonstration.
/ðæt æn ˌerəˈstɑːkrəsi wɪl əˈbjuːs ɪts ædˈvæntɪdʒ ɪz əˈkɔːrdɪŋ tuː ˈmɪstər mɪl ˈmætər ʌv ˌdemənˈstreɪʃən/
Line 5
Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

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.

analogous adjective US /əˈnæləɡəs/

similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar

From this reading “The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
aristocracy noun US /ˌerəˈstɑːkrəsi/

a privileged class holding hereditary titles

From this reading “In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
corresponding adjective US /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndɪŋ/

accompanying

From this reading “In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gratify verb US /ˈɡrætəfaɪ/

make happy or satisfied

From this reading “In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
impoverished adjective US /ɪmˈpɒv.ər.ɪʃt/

Reduced to poverty; having very little money or resources.

From this reading “Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?”

Velmora curated lexicon
posterity noun US /pɑːˈsterəti/

all of the offspring of a given progenitor

From this reading “In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
priority noun US /praɪˈɔːrəti/

status established in order of importance or urgency

From this reading “In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
transmit verb US /trænzˈmɪt/

transfer to another

From this reading “Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

equally certain adverb + adjective

In this reading “Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?”

461 times in 426,211 chapters
same manner adjective + noun

In this reading “In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.”

4,681 times in 426,211 chapters
at the expense preposition + article + noun counted as “at … expense”

In this reading “In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.”

4,733 times in 426,211 chapters
latter case adjective + noun

In this reading “In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.”

577 times in 426,211 chapters
of mankind preposition + noun

In this reading “Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?”

10,700 times in 426,211 chapters
invested with verb + particle counted as “invest with”

In this reading “In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.”

1,327 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 77

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.

abuseverbUS /əˈbjuːs/

treat badly

From this reading That an aristocracy will abuse its advantage, is, according to Mr. Mill, matter of demonstration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading That an aristocracy will abuse its advantage, is, according to Mr. Mill, matter of demonstration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
advantagenounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒ/

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
analogousadjectiveUS /əˈnæləɡəs/

similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
aristocracynounUS /ˌerəˈstɑːkrəsi/

a privileged class holding hereditary titles

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
aristocraticadjectiveUS /ərˌɪstəˈkrætɪk/

belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
casenounUS /keɪs/

an occurrence of something

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
commitverbUS /kəˈmɪt/

perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
correspondingadjectiveUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndɪŋ/

accompanying

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
demonstrationnounUS /ˌdemənˈstreɪʃən/

a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view

From this reading That an aristocracy will abuse its advantage, is, according to Mr. Mill, matter of demonstration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
desiresnounUS /dɪˈzaɪərz/

plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
desolated

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

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

Pending verification
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
equallyadverbUS /ˈiːkwəli/

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
estatenounUS /ɪˈsteɪt/

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
exactlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktli/

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
expensenounUS /ɪkˈspens/

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
formeradjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmər/

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
givesnounUS /ɡɪvz/

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/

the act of giving

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
governmentnounUS /ˈɡʌvərmənt/

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gratifyverbUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪ/

make happy or satisfied

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
impoverishedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈpɒv.ər.ɪʃt/

Reduced to poverty; having very little money or resources.

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

Velmora curated lexicon
InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
investedverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəd/

past form of “invest” — make an investment

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading That an aristocracy will abuse its advantage, is, according to Mr. Mill, matter of demonstration.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
latteradjectiveUS /ˈlætər/

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mankindnounUS /ˈmænˈkaɪnd/

all of the living human inhabitants of the earth

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mannernounUS /ˈmænər/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading That an aristocracy will abuse its advantage, is, according to Mr. Mill, matter of demonstration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MillverbUS /mɪl/

move about in a confused manner

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
objectsnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekts/

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
posteritynounUS /pɑːˈsterəti/

all of the offspring of a given progenitor

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
powersnounUS /ˈpaʊərz/

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
prioritynounUS /praɪˈɔːrəti/

status established in order of importance or urgency

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

Velmora curated lexicon
saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/

restricted to something

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
superioritynounUS /ˌsuːpɪriˈɔːrɪti/

the quality of being superior

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The case, indeed, is strictly analogous to that of an aristocratic government.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
transmitverbUS /trænzˈmɪt/

transfer to another

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wastenounUS /weɪst/

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading In the same manner, every generation in turn can gratify itself at the expense of posterity,--priority of time, in the latter case, giving an advantage exactly corresponding to that which superiority of station gives in the former.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Is it not equally certain that the whole people will do the same; that, if they have the power, they will commit waste of every sort on the estate of mankind, and transmit it to posterity impoverished and desolated?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading That an aristocracy will abuse its advantage, is, according to Mr. Mill, matter of demonstration.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In an aristocracy, says Mr. Mill, the few, being invested with the powers of government, can take the objects of their desires from the people.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 2 of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays by Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron Macaulay holds 431 sentences, grouped into 87 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 2 of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays contain?

Chapter 2 holds 431 sentences of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays, unabridged, divided into 87 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays by Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron Macaulay exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 431 sentences, grouped into 87 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 2 of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays?

Work through the 87 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 87 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays

Common questions about reading Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays by Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron Macaulay on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays?

Yes. All 6236 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #55902 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #55902, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays take to read?

About 519 minutes of reading across 1248 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays section by section

How to work through Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 15 chapters of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays 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 Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays

Words and structures a reader meets early in Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Volumes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Essays
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Edinburgh
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Review
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Critical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.