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Letters from an American Farmer
Letters from an American Farmer

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Letters from an American Farmer is here in full — 131 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?
Your gratitude misleads your judgment.
The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.
I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?
You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Letters from an American Farmer

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Letters from an American Farmer is here in full — 131 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?
Line 2
Your gratitude misleads your judgment.
/jɔːr ˈɡrætətuːd mɪˈsliːdz jɔːr ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/
Line 3
The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.
/ðə ˈnɑːlədʒ wɪtʃ aɪ əˈkwaɪərd frʌm jɔːr ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən hæz ˈæmpli riˈpeɪd miː fɔːr jɔːr faɪv wiːks ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/
Line 4
I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?
/aɪ ɡeɪv juː ˈnʌθɪŋ mɔːr ðæn wʌt ˈkɑːmən ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti dɪkˈteɪtɪd bʌt kʊd ˈeni ˈʌðər ɡest hæv ˌɪnˈstrʌktəd miː æz juː dɪd/
Line 5
You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

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.

abundantly adverb US /əˈbʌndəntli/

in an abundant manner

From this reading “You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.”

agriculture noun US /ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

a large-scale farming enterprise

From this reading “You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.”

amply adverb US /ˈæmpli/

to an ample degree or in an ample manner

From this reading “The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.”

famed adjective US /feɪmd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading “You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.”

manufactures noun US /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərz/

plural of “manufacture” — the organized action of making of goods and services for sale

From this reading “You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.”

misleads verb US /mɪˈsliːdz/

third-person singular of “mislead” — lead someone in the wrong direction or give someone wrong directions

From this reading “Your gratitude misleads your judgment.”

navigation noun US /ˈnævəˈɡeɪʃən/

the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place

From this reading “You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.”

profited verb US /ˈprɑːfətəd/

past form of “profit” — derive a benefit from

From this reading “You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.”

All words in this reading · 94

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.

abundantlyadverbUS /əˈbʌndəntli/

in an abundant manner

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/

gotten through environmental forces

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

agriculturenounUS /ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

a large-scale farming enterprise

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

amplyadverbUS /ˈæmpli/

to an ample degree or in an ample manner

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

artsnounUS /ɑːrts/

studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

capableadjectiveUS /ˈkeɪpəbəl/

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

conductedverbUS /kənˈdʌktəd/

past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/

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

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

debtnounUS /det/

the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

dictatedadjectiveUS /dɪkˈteɪtɪd/

determined or decided upon as by an authority

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/

an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

EuropeannounUS /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/

a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

extensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/

large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

famedadjectiveUS /feɪmd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

fivenounUS /faɪv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

gratitudenounUS /ˈɡrætətuːd/

a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation

From this reading Your gratitude misleads your judgment.

guestnounUS /ɡest/

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

guidedadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdəd/

subject to guidance or control especially after launching

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

hospitalitynounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/

kindness in welcoming guests or strangers

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

imagineverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒən/

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

instructedverbUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktəd/

past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

internaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrnəl/

happening or arising or located within some limits or especially surface

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

judgmentnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/

an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading Your gratitude misleads your judgment.

kindnessnounUS /ˈkaɪndnəs/

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

knewverbUS /nuː/

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 You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

manufacturesnounUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərz/

plural of “manufacture” — the organized action of making of goods and services for sale

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

mapverbUS /mæp/

make a map of; show or establish the features of details of

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

mazenounUS /meɪz/

complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

misleadsverbUS /mɪˈsliːdz/

third-person singular of “mislead” — lead someone in the wrong direction or give someone wrong directions

From this reading Your gratitude misleads your judgment.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

mother-country

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

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

navigationnounUS /ˈnævəˈɡeɪʃən/

the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

perspicuitynoun

clarity as a consequence of being perspicuous

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

profitedverbUS /ˈprɑːfətəd/

past form of “profit” — derive a benefit from

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

proprietynounUS /prəˈpraɪəti/

correct or appropriate behavior

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

provesverbUS /pruːvz/

third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

repaidverbUS /riˈpeɪd/

inflected form of “repay” — pay back

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

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

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

tradenounUS /treɪd/

the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading You conducted me, on the map, from one European country to another; told me many extraordinary things of our famed mother-country, of which I knew very little; of its internal navigation, agriculture, arts, manufactures, and trade: you guided me through an extensive maze, and I abundantly profited by the journey; the contrast therefore proves the debt of gratitude to be on my side.

weeksnounUS /wiːks/

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I gave you nothing more than what common hospitality dictated; but could any other guest have instructed me as you did?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The knowledge which I acquired from your conversation has amply repaid me for your five weeks' entertainment.

WhopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

writingnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋ/

the act of creating written works

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Who would have thought that because I received you with hospitality and kindness, you should imagine me capable of writing with propriety and perspicuity?

YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Your gratitude misleads your judgment.

Chapter 1 of Letters from an American Farmer by J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur holds 131 sentences, grouped into 27 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 Letters from an American Farmer contain?

Chapter 1 holds 131 sentences of Letters from an American Farmer, unabridged, divided into 27 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Letters from an American Farmer by J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 131 sentences, grouped into 27 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 Letters from an American Farmer?

Work through the 27 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 27 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 Letters from an American Farmer

Common questions about reading Letters from an American Farmer by J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Letters from an American Farmer?

Yes. All 2085 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4666 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Letters from an American Farmer is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4666, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Letters from an American Farmer take to read?

About 173 minutes of reading across 417 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Letters from an American Farmer section by section

How to work through Letters from an American Farmer section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Letters from an American Farmer

Words and structures a reader meets early in Letters from an American Farmer, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Thought
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters from an American Farmer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Because
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters from an American Farmer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Received
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters from an American Farmer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hospitality
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters from an American Farmer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.