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Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia
Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia is here in full — 62 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Seba Smith • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia
Context Illustration Reading 1/12 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.
242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.
248 INTRODUCTION.
DOWNINGVILLE, July 15, 1864.
_To the Editors of the Da-Book_:
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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.

Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia is here in full — 62 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/12 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.
Line 2
242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.
Line 3
248 INTRODUCTION.
Line 4
DOWNINGVILLE, July 15, 1864.
Line 5
_To the Editors of the Da-Book_:

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.

Blair noun US /bler/

British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)

From this reading “242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Editors noun US /ˈedɪtərz/

plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading “_To the Editors of the Da-Book_:”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Grimes noun US /ɡraɪmz/

plural of “grime” — the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading “The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Oven noun US /ˈʌvən/

kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting

From this reading “The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Overrun verb US /ˈoʊvərrʌn/

invade in great numbers

From this reading “The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Pox noun US /pɑːks/

a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)

From this reading “The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Seward noun US /ˈsuːərd/

United States politician who as Secretary of State in 1867 arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia (known at the time as Seward's Folly) (1801-1872)

From this reading “The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Suggests verb US /səˈdʒests/

third-person singular of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading “The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

Find Fault verb + noun

harass with constant criticism

In this reading “The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.”

2,562 times in 426,211 chapters
Overrun with verb + particle

In this reading “The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.”

643 times in 426,211 chapters
Rid of verb + particle

do away with

In this reading “The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.”

24,988 times in 426,211 chapters
tells a Story verb + article + noun counted as “tell … story”

In this reading “The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.”

7,414 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 61

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.

15

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

From this reading DOWNINGVILLE, July 15, 1864.

Pending verification
1864

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

From this reading DOWNINGVILLE, July 15, 1864.

Pending verification
242

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

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

Pending verification
248

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

From this reading 248 INTRODUCTION.

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BlairnounUS /bler/

British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CapitalnounUS /ˈkæpətəl/

assets available for use in the production of further assets

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ChaseverbUS /tʃeɪs/

go after with the intent to catch

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Da-Book

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

From this reading _To the Editors of the Da-Book_:

Pending verification
DeaconnounUS /ˈdiːkən/

a Protestant layman who assists the minister

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dodgeverbUS /dɑːdʒ/

make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Don't

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

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

Pending verification
DOWNINGVILLE

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

From this reading DOWNINGVILLE, July 15, 1864.

Pending verification
DreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

Velmora curated lexicon
EditorsnounUS /ˈedɪtərz/

plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading _To the Editors of the Da-Book_:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FaultnounUS /fɔːlt/

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FindverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FinishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪnɪʃt/

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GetverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GravenounUS /ɡreɪv/

death of a person

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GrimesnounUS /ɡraɪmz/

plural of “grime” — the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HousenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
How

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

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

Pending verification
INTRODUCTIONnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/

the act of beginning something new

From this reading 248 INTRODUCTION.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
JulynounUS /ˌdʒuːˈlaɪ/

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading DOWNINGVILLE, July 15, 1864.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Leaguers

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

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

Pending verification
LeathernounUS /ˈleðər/

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LikeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LincolnnounUS /ˈlɪŋkən/

16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LooksnounUS /lʊks/

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LoyaladjectiveUS /ˈlɔɪəl/

steadfast in allegiance or duty

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MessagenounUS /ˈmesədʒ/

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OvennounUS /ˈʌvən/

kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OverrunverbUS /ˈoʊvərrʌn/

invade in great numbers

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ParsonnounUS /ˈpɑːrsən/

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PoxnounUS /pɑːks/

a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PresidentnounUS /ˈprezədent/

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RidverbUS /rɪd/

relieve from

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SewardnounUS /ˈsuːərd/

United States politician who as Secretary of State in 1867 arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia (known at the time as Seward's Folly) (1801-1872)

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SmalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
StorynounUS /ˈstɔːri/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SuggestsverbUS /səˈdʒests/

third-person singular of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tellsnounUS /telz/

plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
TroublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
UnionnounUS /ˈjuːnjən/

an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
VisitorsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtərz/

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WaynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WhitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Trouble about the Message--Chase and Seward Find Fault with it--The Story of Old Deacon Grimes' Oven--Mr. Lincoln Overrun with Visitors--The Major Suggests a Way to Get Rid of Them--The Small Pox dodge--The Message Finished--Mr. Lincoln tells a Story.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WonderfuladjectiveUS /ˈwʌndərfəl/

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading 242 The Major visits Parson Blair--The Loyal Leaguers of the White House--A Wonderful Dream--The Grave of the Union--The President Don't Like It--About Leather--How the Capital Looks.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia by Seba Smith holds 62 sentences, grouped into 13 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia contain?

Chapter 1 holds 62 sentences of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia, unabridged, divided into 13 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia by Seba Smith exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 62 sentences, grouped into 13 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 of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia?

Work through the 13 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 13 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 of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia

Common questions about reading Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia by Seba Smith on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia?

Yes. All 2887 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #36175 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #36175, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia take to read?

About 240 minutes of reading across 578 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia section by section

How to work through Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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Vocabulary met early in Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia

Words and structures a reader meets early in Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Trouble
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Message--chase
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Seward
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fault
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.