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Past and Present
Past and Present

Chapter XXII · Chapter 22

Chapter 22 of Past and Present is here in full — 41 sentences across 9 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/8 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.
Mammonism, as we said, at least works; this goes idle.
Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.
'Make money:' that will mean withal, 'Do work in order to make money.'
But, 'Go gracefully idle in Mayfair,' what does or can that mean?
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Past and Present

Chapter XXII · Chapter 22

Chapter 22 of Past and Present is here in full — 41 sentences across 9 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/8 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.
Line 2
Mammonism, as we said, at least works; this goes idle.
Line 3
Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.
Line 4
'Make money:' that will mean withal, 'Do work in order to make money.'
Line 5
But, 'Go gracefully idle in Mayfair,' what does or can that mean?

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.

appropriate verb US /əˈproʊpriət/

give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

From this reading “Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.”

Gospel noun US /ˈɡɑːspəl/

the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings

From this reading “Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.”

govern verb US /ˈɡʌvərn/

bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations

From this reading “Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.”

Governing adjective US /ˈɡʌvərnɪŋ/

responsible for making and enforcing rules and laws

From this reading “Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.”

gracefully adverb US /ˈɡreɪsfəli/

in a graceful manner

From this reading “But, 'Go gracefully idle in Mayfair,' what does or can that mean?”

Nature's noun US /ˈneɪtʃərz/

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading “Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.”

producing verb US /prəˈduːsɪŋ/

-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading “Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.”

seizing noun US /ˈsiːzɪŋ/

small stuff that is used for lashing two or more ropes together

From this reading “Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.”

All words in this reading · 69

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

appropriateverbUS /əˈproʊpriət/

give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Mammonism, as we said, at least works; this goes idle.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mammonism, as we said, at least works; this goes idle.

boundadjectiveUS /baʊnd/

confined by bonds

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading But, 'Go gracefully idle in Mayfair,' what does or can that mean?

ClassnounUS /klæs/

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

Dilettantism

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading But, 'Go gracefully idle in Mayfair,' what does or can that mean?

expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

GoverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading But, 'Go gracefully idle in Mayfair,' what does or can that mean?

goesnounUS /ɡoʊz/

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading Mammonism, as we said, at least works; this goes idle.

GospelnounUS /ˈɡɑːspəl/

the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

governverbUS /ˈɡʌvərn/

bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

GoverningadjectiveUS /ˈɡʌvərnɪŋ/

responsible for making and enforcing rules and laws

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/

in a graceful manner

From this reading But, 'Go gracefully idle in Mayfair,' what does or can that mean?

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

idleadjectiveUS /ˈaɪdəl/

not in action or at work

From this reading Mammonism, as we said, at least works; this goes idle.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

leastadjectiveUS /liːst/

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

MakeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading 'Make money:' that will mean withal, 'Do work in order to make money.'

Mammonism

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

Mayfair

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

From this reading But, 'Go gracefully idle in Mayfair,' what does or can that mean?

meanverbUS /miːn/

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading 'Make money:' that will mean withal, 'Do work in order to make money.'

messagenounUS /ˈmesədʒ/

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

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

missedadjectiveUS /mɪst/

not caught with the senses or the mind

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading 'Make money:' that will mean withal, 'Do work in order to make money.'

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

mournfuler

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

NaturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

Nature'snounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading 'Make money:' that will mean withal, 'Do work in order to make money.'

portionnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃən/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

producingverbUS /prəˈduːsɪŋ/

-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Mammonism, as we said, at least works; this goes idle.

seizeverbUS /siːz/

take hold of; grab

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

seizedverbUS /siːzd/

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

seizingnounUS /ˈsiːzɪŋ/

small stuff that is used for lashing two or more ropes together

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Mammonism, as we said, at least works; this goes idle.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Mammonism, as we said, at least works; this goes idle.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But, 'Go gracefully idle in Mayfair,' what does or can that mean?

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Gospel of Dilettantism But after all, the Gospel of Dilettantism, producing a Governing Class who do not govern, nor understand in the least that they are bound or expected to govern, is still mournfuler than that of Mammonism.

whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Mammonism has seized some portion of the message of Nature to man; and seizing that, and following it, will seize and appropriate more and more of Nature's message: but Dilettantism has missed it wholly.

withaladverb

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading 'Make money:' that will mean withal, 'Do work in order to make money.'

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading 'Make money:' that will mean withal, 'Do work in order to make money.'

worksnounUS /wɜːrks/

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Mammonism, as we said, at least works; this goes idle.

Chapter 22 of Past and Present by Thomas Carlyle holds 41 sentences, grouped into 9 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 22 of Past and Present contain?

Chapter 22 holds 41 sentences of Past and Present, unabridged, divided into 9 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 22 of Past and Present by Thomas Carlyle exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 41 sentences, grouped into 9 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 22 of Past and Present?

Work through the 9 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 9 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 22 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 22 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 Past and Present

Common questions about reading Past and Present by Thomas Carlyle on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Past and Present?

Yes. All 4084 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #13534 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Past and Present is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #13534, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Past and Present take to read?

About 340 minutes of reading across 817 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Past and Present section by section

How to work through Past and Present section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Past and Present 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 Past and Present

Words and structures a reader meets early in Past and Present, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Example
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Past and Present; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Other
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Past and Present; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fable
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Past and Present; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sphinx
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Past and Present; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.