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Pictures from Italy
Pictures from Italy

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Pictures from Italy is here in full — 126 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.
But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.
These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasonsas an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.
There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.
There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Pictures from Italy

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Pictures from Italy is here in full — 126 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.
Line 2
But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.
Line 3
These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasonsas an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.
Line 4
There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.
Line 5
There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

All words in this reading · 120

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 I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

afraid

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

afterwards

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

airing

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

airy

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

all

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

am

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

an

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

and

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

are

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

arising

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

as

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

beards

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

beautiful

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

befouled

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

blocking

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

blue

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

Boulevards

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

buff

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

But

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

by

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

caps

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

cargoes

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

closest

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

clusters

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

colour

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

compound

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

constantly

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

crowds

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

degree

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

delightful

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

desirable

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

dirty

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

disagreeable

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

doubt

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

down

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

dreadful

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

English

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

escape

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

fair

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

fierce-looking

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

for

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

foreign

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

fortified

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

foul

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

from

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

full

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

glazed

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

great

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

green

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

harbour

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

hats

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

head-dresses

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

heights

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

hot

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

houses

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

I

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

in

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

innumerable

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

is

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

islands

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

it

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

its

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

last

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

least

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

less

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

lovely

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

lower

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

Mediterranean

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

most

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

nations

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

Neapolitan

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

no

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

of

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

on

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

or

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

orange

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

pavement

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

people

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

perpetually

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

picturesque

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

place

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

prospect

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

reasons

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

red

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

refuse

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

retreat

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

rocks

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

sailors

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

ships

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

shirts

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

sitting

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

smells

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

sort

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

sorts

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

stagnant

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

streets

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

tawny

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

that

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

the

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

their

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

themselves

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

there

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

These

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

thrice

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

tops

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

townspeople

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

turbans

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

Turkish

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

twice

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

up

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

vile

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

walking

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

was

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

water

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

way

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

From this reading There were the townspeople sitting in clusters on the pavement, or airing themselves on the tops of their houses, or walking up and down the closest and least airy of Boulevards; and there were crowds of fierce-looking people of the lower sort, blocking up the way, constantly.

weather

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

From this reading I was there, twice or thrice afterwards, in fair weather and foul; and I am afraid there is no doubt that it is a dirty and disagreeable place.

were

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

From this reading There were foreign sailors, of all nations, in the streets; with red shirts, blue shirts, buff shirts, tawny shirts, and shirts of orange colour; with red caps, blue caps, green caps, great beards, and no beards; in Turkish turbans, glazed English hats, and Neapolitan head-dresses.

which

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

From this reading These heights are a desirable retreat, for less picturesque reasons—as an escape from a compound of vile smells perpetually arising from a great harbour full of stagnant water, and befouled by the refuse of innumerable ships with all sorts of cargoes: which, in hot weather, is dreadful in the last degree.

with

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

From this reading But the prospect, from the fortified heights, of the beautiful Mediterranean, with its lovely rocks and islands, is most delightful.

Chapter 4 of Pictures from Italy by Charles Dickens holds 126 sentences, grouped into 26 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 4 of Pictures from Italy contain?

Chapter 4 holds 126 sentences of Pictures from Italy, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Pictures from Italy by Charles Dickens exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 126 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 4 of Pictures from Italy?

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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Pictures from Italy

Common questions about reading Pictures from Italy by Charles Dickens on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Pictures from Italy?

Yes. All 2305 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #650 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Pictures from Italy is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #650, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Pictures from Italy take to read?

About 192 minutes of reading across 461 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Pictures from Italy section by section

How to work through Pictures from Italy section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 19 chapters of Pictures from Italy 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 Pictures from Italy

Words and structures a reader meets early in Pictures from Italy, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Illustrations
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Pictures from Italy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Marcus
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Pictures from Italy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stone
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Pictures from Italy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
London
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Pictures from Italy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.