Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Falk: A Reminiscence
Falk: A Reminiscence

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Falk: A Reminiscence is here in full — 200 sentences across 40 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Falk: A Reminiscence
Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of German Ocean.”
And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.
But the dinner was execrable, and all the feast was for the eyes.
That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.
He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.
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.

Falk: A Reminiscence

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Falk: A Reminiscence is here in full — 200 sentences across 40 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name ofGerman Ocean.”
Line 2
And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.
Line 3
But the dinner was execrable, and all the feast was for the eyes.
Line 4
That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.
Line 5
He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

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.

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

all

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

an

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

and

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

been

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

From this reading That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.

bitterness

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

But

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

From this reading But the dinner was execrable, and all the feast was for the eyes.

coasting

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

connected

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

dangerous

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

dining

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

dinner

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

From this reading But the dinner was execrable, and all the feast was for the eyes.

down

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

enfilading

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

execrable

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

From this reading But the dinner was execrable, and all the feast was for the eyes.

eyes

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

From this reading But the dinner was execrable, and all the feast was for the eyes.

feast

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

From this reading But the dinner was execrable, and all the feast was for the eyes.

flavour

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

From this reading That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.

for

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

From this reading But the dinner was execrable, and all the feast was for the eyes.

forever

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

from

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

German

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

give

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

grandiose

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

had

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

hath

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

have

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

He

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

his

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

Hope

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

in

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

its

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

known

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

less

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

life

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

From this reading That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.

London

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

Lower

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

many

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

From this reading That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.

men

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

miles

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

more

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

mouth

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

name

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

not

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

Ocean

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

of

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

or

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

our

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

permeated

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

From this reading That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.

puddle

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

Reach

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

river-hostelry

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

salt-water

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

From this reading That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.

sea

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

Several

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

shall

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

shallow

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

small

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

so

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

From this reading That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.

talk

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

From this reading That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

Thames

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

than

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

that

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

the

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

thirty

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

through

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

to

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

twenty

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

us

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

very

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

From this reading That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.

view

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

was

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

From this reading But the dinner was execrable, and all the feast was for the eyes.

water

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

From this reading That flavour of salt-water which for so many of us had been the very water of life permeated our talk.

we

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

were

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

which

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

who

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

From this reading He who hath known the bitterness of the Ocean shall have its taste forever in his mouth.

wide

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

windows

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

From this reading And through the wide windows we had a view of the Thames; an enfilading view down the Lower Hope Reach.

with

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

From this reading Several of us, all more or less connected with the sea, were dining in a small river-hostelry not more than thirty miles from London, and less than twenty from that shallow and dangerous puddle to which our coasting men give the grandiose name of “German Ocean.”

Chapter 1 of Falk: A Reminiscence by Joseph Conrad holds 200 sentences, grouped into 40 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 Falk: A Reminiscence contain?

Chapter 1 holds 200 sentences of Falk: A Reminiscence, unabridged, divided into 40 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Falk: A Reminiscence by Joseph Conrad exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 200 sentences, grouped into 40 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 Falk: A Reminiscence?

Work through the 40 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 40 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 Falk: A Reminiscence

Common questions about reading Falk: A Reminiscence by Joseph Conrad on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Falk: A Reminiscence?

Yes. All 1875 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #493 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Falk: A Reminiscence is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #493, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Falk: A Reminiscence take to read?

About 156 minutes of reading across 375 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Falk: A Reminiscence section by section

How to work through Falk: A Reminiscence section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of Falk: A Reminiscence 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 Falk: A Reminiscence

Words and structures a reader meets early in Falk: A Reminiscence, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Several
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Falk: A Reminiscence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Connected
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Falk: A Reminiscence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dining
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Falk: A Reminiscence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Small
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Falk: A Reminiscence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.