Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia
Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia

Chapter XVII

Chapter 17 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia is here in full — 185 sentences across 37 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 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.
22, 1862.
_To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.
The Kernel keeps tinkerin at it a little every day.
I tell him he is jest like a cooper hammerin at a barrel.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia

Chapter XVII

Chapter 17 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia is here in full — 185 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.
Line 2
22, 1862.
Line 3
_To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.
Line 4
The Kernel keeps tinkerin at it a little every day.
Line 5
I tell him he is jest like a cooper hammerin at a barrel.

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.

Accuses verb US /əˈkjuːzɪz/

third-person singular of “accuse” — bring an accusation against; level a charge against

From this reading “_The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Disloyalty noun US /dɪˈslɔɪəlti/

the quality of being disloyal

From this reading “_The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Kernel noun US /ˈkɜːrnəl/

the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone

From this reading “The Kernel keeps tinkerin at it a little every day.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Nov noun US /noʊv/

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading “_The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Retraction noun US /riˈtrækʃən/

a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion

From this reading “_The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.”

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 Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Stanton noun US /ˈstæntən/

United States suffragist and feminist; called for reform of the practices that perpetuated sexual inequality (1815-1902)

From this reading “_The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Welles noun US /welz/

United States actor and filmmaker (1915-1985)

From this reading “_The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

1862

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

From this reading 22, 1862.

Pending verification
22

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

From this reading 22, 1862.

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 Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AccusesverbUS /əˈkjuːzɪz/

third-person singular of “accuse” — bring an accusation against; level a charge against

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ain't

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

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.

Pending verification
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Kernel keeps tinkerin at it a little every day.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
barrelnounUS /ˈbærəl/

a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired

From this reading I tell him he is jest like a cooper hammerin at a barrel.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BatesverbUS /beɪts/

third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BlairnounUS /bler/

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

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CabinetnounUS /ˈkæbənət/

a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Cawcashin

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

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.

Pending verification
ChaseverbUS /tʃeɪs/

go after with the intent to catch

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
coopernounUS /ˈkuːpər/

United States industrialist who built the first American locomotive; founded Cooper Union in New York City to offer free courses in the arts and sciences (1791-1883)

From this reading I tell him he is jest like a cooper hammerin at a barrel.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CouncilnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəl/

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The Kernel keeps tinkerin at it a little every day.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DemandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/

plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DisloyaltynounUS /dɪˈslɔɪəlti/

the quality of being disloyal

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Editers

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

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.

Pending verification
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The Kernel keeps tinkerin at it a little every day.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
GivenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GivesnounUS /ɡɪvz/

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hammerin

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

From this reading I tell him he is jest like a cooper hammerin at a barrel.

Pending verification
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading I tell him he is jest like a cooper hammerin at a barrel.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HimpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I tell him he is jest like a cooper hammerin at a barrel.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
jestnounUS /dʒest/

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading I tell him he is jest like a cooper hammerin at a barrel.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
keepsnounUS /kiːps/

plural of “keep” — the financial means whereby one lives

From this reading The Kernel keeps tinkerin at it a little every day.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
KernelnounUS /ˈkɜːrnəl/

the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone

From this reading The Kernel keeps tinkerin at it a little every day.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I tell him he is jest like a cooper hammerin at a barrel.

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 Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading The Kernel keeps tinkerin at it a little every day.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MessagenounUS /ˈmesədʒ/

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

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
messige

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

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.

Pending verification
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NovnounUS /noʊv/

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OpinionnounUS /əˈpɪnjən/

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RetractionnounUS /riˈtrækʃən/

a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

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 Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SpeechesnounUS /ˈspiːtʃəz/

plural of “speech” — the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
StantonnounUS /ˈstæntən/

United States suffragist and feminist; called for reform of the practices that perpetuated sexual inequality (1815-1902)

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

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 Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SURS

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

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.

Pending verification
tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading I tell him he is jest like a cooper hammerin at a barrel.

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 Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

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 Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
tinkerin

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

From this reading The Kernel keeps tinkerin at it a little every day.

Pending verification
ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Wal

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

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.

Pending verification
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 _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WellesnounUS /welz/

United States actor and filmmaker (1915-1985)

From this reading _The Message--A Cabinet Council--Speeches of Seward, Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair and Bates--Mr. Lincoln Tells a Story--The Major Gives His Opinion--Mr. Chase Accuses Him of Disloyalty--The Major Demands a Retraction--It is Given._ WASHINGTON, Nov.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading _To the Editers of The Cawcashin:_ SURS:--Wal, the messige ain't done yet.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 17 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia by Seba Smith holds 185 sentences, grouped into 37 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 17 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia contain?

Chapter 17 holds 185 sentences of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia, unabridged, divided into 37 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 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 185 sentences, grouped into 37 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 17 of Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia?

Work through the 37 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 37 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 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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.