Chapter II · Chapter 2

-ing form of “accomplish” — put in effect

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

gotten through environmental forces

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

in actual fact

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

-ing form of “adopt” — choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

the whole amount

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

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

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

although

From this reading His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

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

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

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

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

any thing at all

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

able to attract interest or draw favorable attention

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

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

From this reading As soon as he was there, everybody saw that there he belonged.

the verbal act of requesting

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

possessive form of “bank” — sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

engaging in the business of keeping money for savings and checking accounts or for exchange or for issuing loans and credit etc.

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

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

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

for the reason that

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading As soon as he was there, everybody saw that there he belonged.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

a particular society at a particular time and place

From this reading His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

inflected form of “defer” — hold back to a later time

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

plural of “director” — someone who controls resources and expenditures

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

conceived of or imagined or hoped for

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

at any time

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

every person

From this reading As soon as he was there, everybody saw that there he belonged.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

involving financial matters

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

(accounting) an intangible asset valued according to the advantage or reputation a business has acquired (over and above its tangible assets)

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

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

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

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

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

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

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

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

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

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

From this reading His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

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

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

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

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

assets that are saleable though not material or physical

From this reading His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

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

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

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

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

an old word for “no”

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

absolutely essential

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

not any; not one

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

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

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

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

From this reading His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

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

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

by chance

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

relating to a president or presidency

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

plural of “pursuit” — the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

cut with a saw

From this reading As soon as he was there, everybody saw that there he belonged.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

relating to human society and its members

From this reading His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

in the near future

From this reading As soon as he was there, everybody saw that there he belonged.

wisdom in the management of public affairs

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

in a softened tone

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

meant or adapted for an occasion or use

From this reading His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

plural of “supporter” — a person who backs a politician or a team etc.

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As soon as he was there, everybody saw that there he belonged.

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

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

in or at that place or location

From this reading As soon as he was there, everybody saw that there he belonged.

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

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

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

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The Board of Directors looked up to him, deferred to him,--nay, believed him to be as necessary to the bank's existence as the entire aggregate of its supporters; but neither the Board nor the President himself ever dreamed of adopting Mr. MacGentle's financial theories in the conduct of the banking business.

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

From this reading As soon as he was there, everybody saw that there he belonged.

(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 His social position, his culture, his honorable, albeit intangible record, suited the old bank well.

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

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

at the time that

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

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

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.

accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment

From this reading He had an air of subdued wisdom, and people were fond of appealing to his judgment and asking his advice,--- perhaps because he never seemed to expect them to follow it when given (as, indeed, they never did).

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Between law, literature, and statesmanship, in all of which pursuits he had acquired respect and goodwill, without actually accomplishing anything, Mr. MacGentle fell, no one knew exactly how, into the presidential chair of the Beacon Hill Bank.