Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

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

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

firmly attached

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

later than; following

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

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

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

an account of the series of events making up a person's life

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

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

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

someone who has won first place in a competition

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

in conjunction with; combined

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

a food rich in sugar

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

deem to be

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

continue a certain state, condition, or activity

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

plural of “deal” — a particular instance of buying or selling

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

plural of “deficiency” — the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

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

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

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

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

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

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

select by a vote for an office or membership

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

a specially long, formal letter

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

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

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

in a subsequent part of this document or statement or matter etc.

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

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

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

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

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

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

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

(Roman mythology) supreme god of Romans; counterpart of Greek Zeus

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

United States rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

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

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

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

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

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

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

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

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

informal terms for a mother

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

the time at which something is supposed to begin

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

(logic) a statement that contradicts itself

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

a useful or valuable quality

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

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

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

plural of “pro” — an athlete who plays for pay

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

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

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

pay back

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

a relationship between two lovers

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

a toxic nonmetallic element related to sulfur and tellurium

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

in the second place

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

in a series; point by point

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

coming next after the sixth and just before the eighth in position

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

United States writer whose novels argued for social reform (1878-1968)

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

restricted to something

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.

concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

continue to live and avoid dying

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

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

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

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

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

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

From this reading Is dedicated this history of a champion: less to repay than to acknowledge large debts to each of them, collectively at outset, as hereafter seriatim.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

up to a particular time

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

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

From this reading "Cascun se mir el jove Manuel, Qu'era del mom lo plus valens dels pros."

precisely as stated

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

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

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Figures of Earth is, with some superficial air of paradox, the one volume in the long Biography of Dom Manuel's life which deals with Dom Manuel himself.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

the act of creating written works

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading And, in fact, after writing two prefaces to this "Figures of Earth"--first, in this epistle to Lewis, and, secondly, in the remarks[1] affixed to the illustrated edition,--I had thought this volume could very well continue to survive as long as its deficiencies permit, without the confection of a third preface, until I began a little more carefully to consider this romance, in the seventh year of its existence.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Most of the matter strictly appropriate to a Preface you may find, if you so elect, in the Foreword addressed to Sinclair Lewis.