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Phil, the Fiddler
Phil, the Fiddler

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Phil, the Fiddler is here in full — 109 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Phil, the Fiddler
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.
As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.
He was twelve years old, but small of his age.
His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.
In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.
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Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Phil, the Fiddler

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Phil, the Fiddler is here in full — 109 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.
Line 2
As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.
Line 3
He was twelve years old, but small of his age.
Line 4
His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.
Line 5
In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

All words in this reading · 86

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.

a

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

accompanying

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

age

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

From this reading He was twelve years old, but small of his age.

an

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

and

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

From this reading His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.

appearance

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

As

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

battered

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

be

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

black

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

From this reading His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.

boy

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

brilliant

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

From this reading His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.

but

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

From this reading He was twelve years old, but small of his age.

by

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

case

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

complexion

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

From this reading His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.

dark

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

From this reading His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.

describe

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

dirt

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

especially

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

eyes

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

From this reading His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.

face

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

few

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

Filippo

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

for

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

from

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

Garibaldi

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

hair

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

From this reading His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.

handsome

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

hard

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

hardships

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

have

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

He

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

From this reading He was twelve years old, but small of his age.

hero

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

him

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

himself

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

his

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

From this reading He was twelve years old, but small of his age.

I

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

in

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

is

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

Italian

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

its

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

light

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

light-hearted

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

lighted

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

lot

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

merry

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

met

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

my

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

naturally

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

neither

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

nor

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

of

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

often

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

old

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

From this reading He was twelve years old, but small of his age.

olive

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

From this reading His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.

on

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

pause

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

peculiar

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

From this reading His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.

race

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

From this reading His complexion was a brilliant olive, with the dark eyes peculiar to his race, and his hair black.

sang

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

seemed

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

singer

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

small

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

From this reading He was twelve years old, but small of his age.

smile

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

spite

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

story

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

street

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

strikingly

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

the

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

these

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

to

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

twelve

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

From this reading He was twelve years old, but small of his age.

up

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

uptown

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

usage

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

violin

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

Viva

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

was

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

From this reading He was twelve years old, but small of his age.

were

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

when

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

From this reading In spite of the dirt, his face was strikingly handsome, especially when lighted up by a smile, as was often the case, for in spite of the hardships of his lot, and these were neither few nor light, Filippo was naturally merry and light-hearted.

which

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

will

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

From this reading As the young singer is to be the hero of my story, I will pause to describe him.

with

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

years

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

From this reading He was twelve years old, but small of his age.

young

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

From this reading “Viva Garibaldi!” sang a young Italian boy in an uptown street, accompanying himself on a violin which, from its battered appearance, seemed to have met with hard usage.

Chapter 1 of Phil, the Fiddler by Horatio, Jr. Alger holds 109 sentences, grouped into 22 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 1 of Phil, the Fiddler contain?

Chapter 1 holds 109 sentences of Phil, the Fiddler, unabridged, divided into 22 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Phil, the Fiddler by Horatio, Jr. Alger exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 109 sentences, grouped into 22 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 1 of Phil, the Fiddler?

Work through the 22 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 22 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Phil, the Fiddler

Common questions about reading Phil, the Fiddler by Horatio, Jr. Alger on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Phil, the Fiddler?

Yes. All 3350 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #671 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Phil, the Fiddler is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #671, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Phil, the Fiddler take to read?

About 279 minutes of reading across 670 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Phil, the Fiddler section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of Phil, the Fiddler 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 Phil, the Fiddler

Words and structures a reader meets early in Phil, the Fiddler, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Garibaldi
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Phil, the Fiddler; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Young
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Phil, the Fiddler; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Italian
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Phil, the Fiddler; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Uptown
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Phil, the Fiddler; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.