Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887
Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 is here in full — 620 sentences across 124 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887
Context Illustration Reading 1/124 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SOME NOTES AT STARMOUTH.
3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.
Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.
Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.
On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.
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.

Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 is here in full — 620 sentences across 124 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/124 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SOME NOTES AT STARMOUTH.
Line 2
3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.
Line 3
Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.
/liːv ˈlʌɡədʒ æt ˈsteɪʃən ənd ɡoʊ ɪn sɜːrtʃ ʌv ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/
Line 4
Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.
Line 5
On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.
/ɑːn ðə ˌespləˈnɑːd ˈnoʊtɪŋ ˈlaɪkli ˈpleɪsəz wɪð ˈkrɪtɪkəl aɪ/

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.

Drama noun US /ˈdrɑːmə/

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading “3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.”

Esplanade noun US /ˌespləˈnɑːd/

a long stretch of open level ground (paved or grassy) for walking beside the seashore

From this reading “On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.”

inspiration noun US /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/

arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity

From this reading “Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.”

lodgings noun US /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/

temporary living quarters

From this reading “Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.”

luggage noun US /ˈlʌɡədʒ/

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading “Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.”

Nautical adjective US /ˈnɔːtəkəl/

relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen

From this reading “3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.”

noting verb US /ˈnoʊtɪŋ/

-ing form of “note” — make mention of

From this reading “On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.”

wealthy adjective US /ˈwelθi/

having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value

From this reading “3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.”

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.

critical eye adjective + noun

In this reading “On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.”

Arrive at verb + particle

reach a destination, either real or abstract

In this reading “3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.”

search of verb + particle

In this reading “Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.”

All words in this reading · 49

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.

3

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

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

ArriveverbUS /ərˈaɪv/

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading SOME NOTES AT STARMOUTH.

criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/

marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

From this reading On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.

d'hote

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

From this reading Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.

DramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

EsplanadenounUS /ˌespləˈnɑːd/

a long stretch of open level ground (paved or grassy) for walking beside the seashore

From this reading On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.

eyenounUS /aɪ/

the organ of sight

From this reading On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.

famousadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪməs/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/

bringing death

From this reading Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

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

From this reading Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.

HotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.

inspirationnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/

arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity

From this reading Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

LeaveverbUS /liːv/

go away from a place

From this reading Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.

likelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪkli/

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.

lodgingsnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/

temporary living quarters

From this reading Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.

luggagenounUS /ˈlʌɡədʒ/

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.

MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

NauticaladjectiveUS /ˈnɔːtəkəl/

relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

NOTESnounUS /noʊts/

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading SOME NOTES AT STARMOUTH.

notingverbUS /ˈnoʊtɪŋ/

-ing form of “note” — make mention of

From this reading On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.

PnounUS /piː/

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.

proposeverbUS /prəˈpoʊz/

make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.

renderverbUS /ˈrendər/

cause to become

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

retiredadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrd/

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

searchverbUS /sɜːrtʃ/

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.

SOMEadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading SOME NOTES AT STARMOUTH.

STARMOUTH

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

From this reading SOME NOTES AT STARMOUTH.

StationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading Leave luggage at Station, and go in search of lodgings.

tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Hotel out of the question--_table d'hote_ quite fatal to inspiration.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

Watering-place

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

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

wealthyadjectiveUS /ˈwelθi/

having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading On the Esplanade, noting likely places with critical eye.

writeverbUS /raɪt/

produce a literary work

From this reading 3 P.M.--Arrive at Starmouth--the retired Watering-place at which I propose to write the Nautical Drama that is to render me famous and wealthy.

Chapter 1 of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 by Various holds 620 sentences, grouped into 124 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 1 of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 contain?

Chapter 1 holds 620 sentences of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887, unabridged, divided into 124 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 by Various exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 620 sentences, grouped into 124 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 Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887?

Work through the 124 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 124 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 Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887

Common questions about reading Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 by Various on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887?

Yes. All 620 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #29679 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #29679, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 take to read?

About 51 minutes of reading across 124 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 section by section

How to work through Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887 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 Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887

Words and structures a reader meets early in Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Notes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Starmouth
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Arrive
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Starmouth--the
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Punch — Vol. 93, September 3, 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.