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

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Honorine is here in full — 156 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Honorine
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
An affectionate remembrance from the Author.
If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.
Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.
Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.
They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the Attic salt so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.
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.

Honorine

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Honorine is here in full — 156 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
An affectionate remembrance from the Author.
/æn əˈfekʃənət riˈmembrəns frʌm ðə ˈɔːθər/
Line 2
If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.
/ɪf ðə frentʃ hæv æz ɡreɪt æn əˈvɜːrʒən fɔːr ˈtrævəlɪŋ æz ðə ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ hæv ə prəˈpensɪti fɔːr ɪt boʊθ ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ ənd frentʃ hæv pərˈhæps səˈfɪʃənt ˈriːzənz/
Line 3
Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.
/ˈsʌmθɪŋ ˈbetər ðæn ˈɪŋɡlənd ɪz ˈevriwer tuː biː faʊnd weˈræz ɪt ɪz ɪkˈsesɪvli ˈdɪfəkəlt tuː faɪnd ðə tʃɑːrmz ʌv fræns ˈaʊtˈsaɪd fræns/
Line 4
Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.
/ˈʌðər ˈkʌntriz kæn ʃoʊ ˈædmərəbəl ˈsiːnəri ənd ðeɪ ˈfriːkwəntli ˈɔːfər ˈɡreɪtər ˈkʌmfərt ðæn ðæt ʌv fræns wɪtʃ meɪks bʌt sloʊ ˈprɑːɡres ɪn ðæt pərˈtɪkjələr/
Line 5
They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, theAttic saltso familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

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.

Attic noun US /ˈætɪk/

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading “They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.”

aversion noun US /əˈvɜːrʒən/

a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading “If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.”

bewildering verb US /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/

-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to

From this reading “They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.”

excessively adverb US /ɪkˈsesɪvli/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading “Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.”

prompt verb US /prɑːmpt/

give an incentive for action

From this reading “They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.”

propensity noun US /prəˈpensɪti/

an inclination to do something

From this reading “If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.”

traveling noun US /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/

the act of going from one place to another

From this reading “If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.”

unspoken adjective US /ənˈspoʊkən/

expressed without speech

From this reading “They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.”

All words in this reading · 97

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 If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

admirableadjectiveUS /ˈædmərəbəl/

deserving of the highest esteem or admiration

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading An affectionate remembrance from the Author.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading An affectionate remembrance from the Author.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

AtticnounUS /ˈætɪk/

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

AuthornounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading An affectionate remembrance from the Author.

aversionnounUS /əˈvɜːrʒən/

a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

bewilderingverbUS /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/

-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

brainnounUS /breɪn/

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

charmsnounUS /tʃɑːrmz/

plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

comfortnounUS /ˈkʌmfərt/

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

countriesnounUS /ˈkʌntriz/

plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/

something intended to communicate a particular impression

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

else

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

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

everywhereadverbUS /ˈevriwer/

to or in any or all places

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

excessivelyadverbUS /ɪkˈsesɪvli/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/

well known or easily recognized

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

FrancenounUS /fræns/

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

frequentlyadverbUS /ˈfriːkwəntli/

many times at short intervals

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading An affectionate remembrance from the Author.

gracenounUS /ɡreɪs/

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

grandeurnounUS /ɡrænˈduːr/

the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

lacknounUS /læk/

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

languagenounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒ/

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

magnificencenoun

splendid or imposing in size or appearance

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

makesnounUS /meɪks/

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

mannersnounUS /ˈmænərz/

social deportment

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

metverbUS /met/

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/

impressive in appearance

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

nowherenounUS /ˈnoʊwer/

an insignificant place

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

offerverbUS /ˈɔːfər/

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

OtheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

ParisnounUS /ˈperɪs/

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

particularadjectiveUS /pərˈtɪkjələr/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

progressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/

give an incentive for action

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

propensitynounUS /prəˈpensɪti/

an inclination to do something

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

reasonsnounUS /ˈriːzənz/

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

remembrancenounUS /riˈmembrəns/

the ability to recall past occurrences

From this reading An affectionate remembrance from the Author.

saltnounUS /sɔːlt/

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

scenerynounUS /ˈsiːnəri/

the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

showverbUS /ʃoʊ/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

slowadjectiveUS /sloʊ/

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

SomethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

sufficientadjectiveUS /səˈfɪʃənt/

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/

natural abilities or qualities

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading An affectionate remembrance from the Author.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

travelingnounUS /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/

the act of going from one place to another

From this reading If the French have as great an aversion for traveling as the English have a propensity for it, both English and French have perhaps sufficient reasons.

unspokenadjectiveUS /ənˈspoʊkən/

expressed without speech

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/

in contrast with the fact that

From this reading Something better than England is everywhere to be found; whereas it is excessively difficult to find the charms of France outside France.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Other countries can show admirable scenery, and they frequently offer greater comfort than that of France, which makes but slow progress in that particular.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading They sometimes display a bewildering magnificence, grandeur, and luxury; they lack neither grace nor noble manners; but the life of the brain, the talent for conversation, the “Attic salt” so familiar at Paris, the prompt apprehension of what one is thinking, but does not say, the spirit of the unspoken, which is half the French language, is nowhere else to be met with.

Chapter 1 of Honorine by Honoré de Balzac holds 156 sentences, grouped into 32 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 Honorine contain?

Chapter 1 holds 156 sentences of Honorine, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Honorine by Honoré de Balzac exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 156 sentences, grouped into 32 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 Honorine?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 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 Honorine

Common questions about reading Honorine by Honoré de Balzac on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Honorine?

Yes. All 1376 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1683 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Honorine is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1683, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Honorine take to read?

About 114 minutes of reading across 276 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Honorine section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of Honorine 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 Honorine

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

Affectionate
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Honorine; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Remembrance
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Honorine; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Honorine; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
French
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Honorine; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.