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Henry Esmond
Henry Esmond

Chapter XXX · Chapter 30

Chapter 30 of Henry Esmond is here in full — 207 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Henry Esmond
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.
The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.
PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.
We were married at St. Gudule, by Father Holt.
She is heart and soul for the _good cause_.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Henry Esmond

Chapter XXX · Chapter 30

Chapter 30 of Henry Esmond is here in full — 207 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.
Line 2
The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow hiswild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.
Line 3
PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.
Line 4
We were married at St. Gudule, by Father Holt.
Line 5
She is heart and soul for the _good cause_.
/ʃiː ɪz hɑːrt ənd soʊl fɔːr ðə ɡʊd kɑːz/

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.

bearer noun US /ˈberər/

someone whose employment involves carrying something

From this reading “After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.”

Bruxelles noun US /brəkˈseləs/

the capital and largest city of Belgium; seat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

From this reading “After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.”

Chamberlain noun US /ˈtʃeɪmbərlən/

British statesman who as Prime Minister pursued a policy of appeasement toward fascist Germany (1869-1940)

From this reading “The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.”

conveying noun US /kənˈveɪɪŋ/

act of transferring property title from one person to another

From this reading “After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.”

kinsman noun US /ˈkɪnzmæn/

a male relative

From this reading “After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.”

Netherlands noun US /ˈneðərləndz/

a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level

From this reading “The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.”

quitting verb US /ˈkwɪtɪŋ/

inflected form of “quit” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading “After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.”

sow verb US /saʊ/

place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth

From this reading “The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.”

All words in this reading · 99

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

agenounUS /eɪdʒ/

how long something has existed

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

anxietynounUS /æŋˈzaɪəti/

(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/

eagerly desirous

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

armynounUS /ˈɑːrmi/

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

bearernounUS /ˈberər/

someone whose employment involves carrying something

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

besought

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

BruxellesnounUS /brəkˈseləs/

the capital and largest city of Belgium; seat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading We were married at St. Gudule, by Father Holt.

Castlewood

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

causenounUS /kɑːz/

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading She is heart and soul for the _good cause_.

causedverbUS /kɑːzd/

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

ChamberlainnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərlən/

British statesman who as Prime Minister pursued a policy of appeasement toward fascist Germany (1869-1940)

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

Clotilda

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

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

ColonelnounUS /ˈkɜːrnəl/

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

conveyingnounUS /kənˈveɪɪŋ/

act of transferring property title from one person to another

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

CountverbUS /kaʊnt/

determine the number or amount of

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/

a female human offspring

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜːrmənd/

characterized by great determination

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

differencenounUS /ˈdɪfərəns/

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

EmperornounUS /ˈempərər/

the male ruler of an empire

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

Esmond

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

FathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading We were married at St. Gudule, by Father Holt.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

FrankadjectiveUS /fræŋk/

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/

a man of refinement

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading She is heart and soul for the _good cause_.

GovernornounUS /ˈɡʌvərnər/

the head of a state government

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

Gudule

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

From this reading We were married at St. Gudule, by Father Holt.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading She is heart and soul for the _good cause_.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

Holt

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

From this reading We were married at St. Gudule, by Father Holt.

HouseholdnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊld/

a social unit living together

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

intelligencenounUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəns/

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

kinsmannounUS /ˈkɪnzmæn/

a male relative

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

letternounUS /ˈletər/

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

MademoisellenounUS /ˌmædəməˈzel/

small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

makesnounUS /meɪks/

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/

joined in matrimony

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

Monsnoun

a mound of fatty tissue covering the pubic area in women

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

NetherlandsnounUS /ˈneðərləndz/

a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

objectedverbUS /əbˈdʒektəd/

past form of “object” — express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

one-and-twenty

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

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

Ostend

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

otes

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

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

packetnounUS /ˈpækət/

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

postverbUS /poʊst/

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

PSnoun

a note appended to a letter after the signature

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

quittingverbUS /ˈkwɪtɪŋ/

inflected form of “quit” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

raik

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

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

reformnounUS /rəˈfɔːrm/

a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

scapegracenoun

a reckless and unprincipled reprobate

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She is heart and soul for the _good cause_.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

soulnounUS /soʊl/

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading She is heart and soul for the _good cause_.

sowverbUS /saʊ/

place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

St

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

From this reading We were married at St. Gudule, by Father Holt.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_, which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_ that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We were married at St. Gudule, by Father Holt.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading We were married at St. Gudule, by Father Holt.

Wertheim

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

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

whereof

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

wroteverbUS /roʊt/

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to sow his “wild otes”, as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim, daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

Chapter 30 of Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray holds 207 sentences, grouped into 42 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 30 of Henry Esmond contain?

Chapter 30 holds 207 sentences of Henry Esmond, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 30 of Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 207 sentences, grouped into 42 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 30 of Henry Esmond?

Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 42 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 30 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 30 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 Henry Esmond

Common questions about reading Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Henry Esmond?

Yes. All 11456 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #29363 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Henry Esmond is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #29363, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Henry Esmond take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2292 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Henry Esmond section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Henry Esmond 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 Henry Esmond

Words and structures a reader meets early in Henry Esmond, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Toronto
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Henry Esmond; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Melbourne
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Henry Esmond; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Exceedingly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Henry Esmond; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Henry Esmond; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.