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Past and Present
Past and Present

Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

Chapter 31 of Past and Present is here in full — 144 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!
The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.
Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!
This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.
'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Past and Present

Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

Chapter 31 of Past and Present is here in full — 144 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!
Line 2
The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.
Line 3
Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!
Line 4
This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.
Line 5
'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

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.

babble verb US /ˈbæbəl/

utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or utter in an incoherent way

From this reading “The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.”

Democracy noun US /dɪˈmɑːkrəsi/

the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives

From this reading “Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!”

Earth's noun US /ɜːrθs/

possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading “This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.”

heeded verb US /ˈhiːdəd/

past form of “heed” — pay close attention to; give heed to

From this reading “This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.”

levity noun US /ˈlevɪti/

feeling an inappropriate lack of seriousness

From this reading “The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.”

parliamentary adjective US /ˌpɑːrləˈmentəri/

relating to or having the nature of a parliament

From this reading “Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!”

solved adjective US /sɑːlvd/

explained or answered

From this reading “Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!”

solving noun US /ˈsɑːlvɪŋ/

finding a solution to a problem

From this reading “Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!”

All words in this reading · 91

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 The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/

in the past

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

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 The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

babbleverbUS /ˈbæbəl/

utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or utter in an incoherent way

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

begunverbUS /bɪˈɡʌn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

beholdverbUS /bɪˈhoʊld/

see with attention

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

cannot

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

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

delayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈleɪd/

not as far along as normal in development

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

DemocracynounUS /dɪˈmɑːkrəsi/

the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

difficultynounUS /ˈdɪfəkəlti/

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

Earth'snounUS /ɜːrθs/

possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

factsnounUS /fækts/

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

fastadverbUS /fæst/

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

gravenounUS /ɡreɪv/

death of a person

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

hearingnounUS /ˈhiːrɪŋ/

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

Heaven'snounUS /ˈhevənz/

possessive form of “heaven” — any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

heededverbUS /ˈhiːdəd/

past form of “heed” — pay close attention to; give heed to

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

Highnesses

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

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

idleadjectiveUS /ˈaɪdəl/

not in action or at work

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

insinceritynoun

the quality of not being open or truthful; deceitful or hypocritical

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

kindsnounUS /kaɪndz/

plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

knowsnounUS /noʊz/

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

LabournounUS /ˈleɪbər/

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

lawsnounUS /lɔːz/

the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

levitynounUS /ˈlevɪti/

feeling an inappropriate lack of seriousness

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

logicaladjectiveUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/

capable of or reflecting the capability for correct and valid reasoning

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

long-vexed

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

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/

for more time

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

Majesties

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

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

neednounUS /niːd/

a condition requiring relief

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

notenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

organisedadjective

being a member of or formed into a labor union

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

parliamentaryadjectiveUS /ˌpɑːrləˈmentəri/

relating to or having the nature of a parliament

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

perceiveverbUS /pərˈsiːv/

to become aware of through the senses

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

play-acting

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

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

SereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/

not agitated; without losing self-possession

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

seriousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriəs/

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

solvedadjectiveUS /sɑːlvd/

explained or answered

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

solvingnounUS /ˈsɑːlvɪŋ/

finding a solution to a problem

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The time for levity, insincerity, and idle babble and play-acting, in all kinds, is gone by; it is a serious, grave time.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

unblessedadjective

not provided with something desirable

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

verilyadverb

in truth; certainly

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

WagesnounUS /ˈweɪdʒəz/

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Democracy If the Serene Highnesses and Majesties do not take note of that, then, as I perceive, _that_ will take note of itself!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading 'Labour' will verily need to be somewhat 'organised,' as they say,--God knows with what difficulty.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

WorkverbUS /wɜːrk/

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

From this reading This largest of questions, this question of Work and Wages, which ought, had we heeded Heaven's voice, to have begun two generations ago or more, cannot be delayed longer without hearing Earth's voice.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Old long-vexed questions, not yet solved in logical words or parliamentary laws, are fast solving themselves in facts, somewhat unblessed to behold!

Chapter 31 of Past and Present by Thomas Carlyle holds 144 sentences, grouped into 29 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 31 of Past and Present contain?

Chapter 31 holds 144 sentences of Past and Present, unabridged, divided into 29 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 31 of Past and Present by Thomas Carlyle exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 144 sentences, grouped into 29 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 31 of Past and Present?

Work through the 29 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 29 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 31 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 31 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.