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

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia is here in full — 171 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
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_Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._
WASHINGTON, Feb.
15, 1862.
_To the Editers of The Cawcashin_:
SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?
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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 III

Chapter 3 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia is here in full — 171 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._
Line 2
WASHINGTON, Feb.
/ˈwɑːʃɪŋtən ˈfebjəweri/
Line 3
15, 1862.
Line 4
_To the Editers of The Cawcashin_:
Line 5
SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

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.

Constitution noun US /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/

law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

From this reading “_Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._”

Deacon noun US /ˈdiːkən/

a Protestant layman who assists the minister

Feb noun US /ˈfebjəweri/

the month following January and preceding March

From this reading “WASHINGTON, Feb.”

Lincoln noun US /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 “_Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._”

Lincoln's noun US /ˈlɪŋkənz/

possessive form of “lincoln” — 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 “_Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._”

Paradox noun US /ˈperədɑːks/

(logic) a statement that contradicts itself

From this reading “_Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._”

President's noun US /ˈprezɪdənts/

possessive form of “president” — an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading “_Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._”

Provoking adjective US /prəˈvoʊkɪŋ/

causing or tending to cause anger or resentment

From this reading “_Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._”

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.

Tells a Story verb + article + noun counted as “tell … story”

In this reading “_Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._”

All words in this reading · 58

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 15, 1862.

1862

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

From this reading 15, 1862.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

AccidentnounUS /ˈæksədənt/

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

AngryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/

feeling or showing anger

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

Cawcashin

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

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin_:

Commentater

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

ConstitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/

law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

CutverbUS /kʌt/

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

DeaconnounUS /ˈdiːkən/

a Protestant layman who assists the minister

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

Didn't

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

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

Downingville

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

Editers

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

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin_:

FebnounUS /ˈfebjəweri/

the month following January and preceding March

From this reading WASHINGTON, Feb.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

getsnounUS /ɡets/

plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

Insensibles

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

Insine

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

Jenkins

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

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 _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

Lincoln'snounUS /ˈlɪŋkənz/

possessive form of “lincoln” — 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 _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

MakeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

MudnounUS /mʌd/

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

OccasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

ParadoxnounUS /ˈperədɑːks/

(logic) a statement that contradicts itself

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

PartynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/

an organization to gain political power

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

President'snounUS /ˈprezɪdənts/

possessive form of “president” — an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

ProvokingadjectiveUS /prəˈvoʊkɪŋ/

causing or tending to cause anger or resentment

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

SentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

Stebbins

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

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 _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

straitenverb

bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

SURS

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

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

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 _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

UniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/

always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/

a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

WASHINGTONnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋtən/

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading WASHINGTON, Feb.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

WritesverbUS /raɪts/

third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading _Deacon Jenkins, of Downingville, Sent for to Cut and Make the President's Uniform--A Provoking Accident--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major as a "Commentater" on the Constitution--Mrs. Lincoln's Party--"Insine Stebbins, of the Downingville Insensibles, Writes a Paradox for the Occasion"--The Major gets Angry--Lincoln Tells a Story About Virginia Mud._

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading SURS:--Didn't I tell you that, as soon as I got here, I would straiten things out?

Chapter 3 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia by Seba Smith holds 171 sentences, grouped into 35 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 3 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia contain?

Chapter 3 holds 171 sentences of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 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 171 sentences, grouped into 35 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 3 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in 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.