Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Past and Present — Vol. XIII
Past and Present — Vol. XIII

Chapter XX

Chapter 20 of Past and Present — Vol. XIII is here in full — 130 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Past and Present — Vol. XIII
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
GOSPEL OF MAMMONISM.
Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?
I rather apprehend, not.
Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.
Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!
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.

Past and Present — Vol. XIII

Chapter XX

Chapter 20 of Past and Present — Vol. XIII is here in full — 130 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
GOSPEL OF MAMMONISM.
Line 2
Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?
/ˈriːdər ˈiːvɪn ˈkrɪstʃən ˈriːdər æz ðaɪ ˈtaɪtəl ɡoʊz hæst ðaʊ ˈeni ˈnoʊʃən ʌv ˈhevən ənd hel/
Line 3
I rather apprehend, not.
/aɪ ˈræðər ˌæprɪˈhend nɑːt/
Line 4
Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.
Line 5
Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

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.

apprehend verb US /ˌæprɪˈhend/

get the meaning of something

From this reading “I rather apprehend, not.”

everlasting adjective US /ˌevərˈlæstɪŋ/

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading “Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!”

fable noun US /ˈfeɪbəl/

a deliberately false or improbable account

From this reading “Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!”

fabulous adjective US /ˈfæbjələs/

extremely pleasing

From this reading “Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.”

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 MAMMONISM.”

notion noun US /ˈnoʊʃən/

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading “Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?”

signifying verb US /ˈsɪɡnəfaɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “signify” — denote or connote

From this reading “Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.”

transient noun US /ˈtrænʒənt/

one who stays for only a short time

From this reading “Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.”

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.

pass on verb + particle

place into the hands or custody of

In this reading “Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

apprehendverbUS /ˌæprɪˈhend/

get the meaning of something

From this reading I rather apprehend, not.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

ChristianadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪstʃən/

relating to or characteristic of Christianity

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

everlastingadjectiveUS /ˌevərˈlæstɪŋ/

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

fablenounUS /ˈfeɪbəl/

a deliberately false or improbable account

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

fabulousadjectiveUS /ˈfæbjələs/

extremely pleasing

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

goesnounUS /ɡoʊz/

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

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

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 MAMMONISM.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

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

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

hastauxiliary verbUS /hæst/

an old form of “have”, used with “thou”

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

HeavennounUS /ˈhevən/

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

HellnounUS /hel/

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

highestadjectiveUS /ˈhaɪəst/

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I rather apprehend, not.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

MAMMONISM

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

From this reading GOSPEL OF MAMMONISM.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

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

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I rather apprehend, not.

notionnounUS /ˈnoʊʃən/

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading GOSPEL OF MAMMONISM.

OftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

passverbUS /pæs/

go across or through

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading I rather apprehend, not.

ReadernounUS /ˈriːdər/

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

semi-fable

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

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

semi-fabulous

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

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

signifyingverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəfaɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “signify” — denote or connote

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

similitudenoun

similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

titlenounUS /ˈtaɪtəl/

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading Reader, even Christian Reader as thy title goes, hast thou any notion of Heaven and Hell?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

tonguenounUS /tʌŋ/

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

transientnounUS /ˈtrænʒənt/

one who stays for only a short time

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading Often as the words are on our tongue, they have got a fabulous or semi-fabulous character for most of us, and pass on like a kind of transient similitude, like a sound signifying little.

worthnounUS /wɜːrθ/

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

YetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet it is well worth while for us to know, once and always, that they are not a similitude, nor a fable nor semi-fable; that they are an everlasting highest fact!

Chapter 20 of Past and Present — Vol. XIII by Thomas Carlyle holds 130 sentences, grouped into 26 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 20 of Past and Present — Vol. XIII contain?

Chapter 20 holds 130 sentences of Past and Present — Vol. XIII, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of Past and Present — Vol. XIII by Thomas Carlyle exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 130 sentences, grouped into 26 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 20 of Past and Present — Vol. XIII?

Work through the 26 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 26 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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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 — Vol. XIII

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

Is this the complete text of Past and Present — Vol. XIII?

Yes. All 4278 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #26159 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Past and Present — Vol. XIII is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #26159, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Past and Present — Vol. XIII take to read?

About 356 minutes of reading across 856 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Past and Present — Vol. XIII section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 37 chapters of Past and Present — Vol. XIII 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 — Vol. XIII

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

Collected
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Past and Present — Vol. XIII; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Works
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Past and Present — Vol. XIII; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Present
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Past and Present — Vol. XIII; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
London
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Past and Present — Vol. XIII; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.