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Sketches New and Old
Sketches New and Old

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of Sketches New and Old is here in full — 1348 sentences across 270 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/269 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
[Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]
Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.
This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.
Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.
How strange it seems--this place!
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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.

Sketches New and Old

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of Sketches New and Old is here in full — 1348 sentences across 270 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/269 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
[Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]
Line 2
Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.
/ˈdɪrəst ˈmeri ðɪs ɪz ðə moʊst ˈseləbreɪtɪd ˈstætʃuː ɪn ðə wɜːrld/
Line 3
This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.
Line 4
Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.
Line 5
How strange it seems--this place!

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.

artists noun US /ˈɑːrtɪsts/

plural of “artist” — a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading “Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.”

blemishes noun US /ˈblemɪʃɪz/

plural of “blemish” — a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)

From this reading “Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.”

Capitol noun US /ˈkæpɪtəl/

a building occupied by a state legislature

From this reading “[Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]”

illustrious adjective US /ˌɪˈlʌstriəs/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading “Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.”

patched adjective US /pætʃt/

mended usually clumsily by covering a hole with a patch

From this reading “Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.”

patching noun US /ˈpætʃɪŋ/

the act of mending a hole in a garment by sewing a patch over it

From this reading “Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.”

renowned adjective US /rɪˈnaʊnd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading “This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.”

Venus noun US /ˈviːnəs/

the second nearest planet to the sun

From this reading “This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.”

All words in this reading · 59

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

artistsnounUS /ˈɑːrtɪsts/

plural of “artist” — a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

blemishesnounUS /ˈblemɪʃɪz/

plural of “blemish” — a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

CapitolnounUS /ˈkæpɪtəl/

a building occupied by a state legislature

From this reading [Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]

Capitoline

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

From this reading This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.

celebratedadjectiveUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading “Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.

creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/

the human act of creating

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

DearestnounUS /ˈdɪrəst/

a beloved person; used as terms of endearment

From this reading “Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

factnounUS /fækt/

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

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

HereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

How

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

From this reading How strange it seems--this place!

humbleadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmbəl/

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

illustriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlʌstriəs/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading How strange it seems--this place!

LateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading [Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

MarynounUS /ˈmeri/

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading “Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.

mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/

being nothing more than specified

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading “Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.

namesnounUS /neɪmz/

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/

impressive in appearance

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

patchedadjectiveUS /pætʃt/

mended usually clumsily by covering a hole with a patch

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

patchingnounUS /ˈpætʃɪŋ/

the act of mending a hole in a garment by sewing a patch over it

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading How strange it seems--this place!

renownedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnaʊnd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.

restoredverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrd/

past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/

relating to or characteristic of people of Rome

From this reading [Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]

ScenenounUS /siːn/

the place where some action occurs

From this reading [Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]

seemsverbUS /siːmz/

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading How strange it seems--this place!

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.

standsnounUS /stændz/

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

statuenounUS /ˈstætʃuː/

a sculpture representing a human or animal

From this reading “Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading How strange it seems--this place!

TennounUS /ten/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading [Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading [Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.

VenusnounUS /ˈviːnəs/

the second nearest planet to the sun

From this reading This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading “Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.

YearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading [Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]

you've

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

From this reading This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.

Chapter 10 of Sketches New and Old by Mark Twain holds 1348 sentences, grouped into 270 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 10 of Sketches New and Old contain?

Chapter 10 holds 1348 sentences of Sketches New and Old, unabridged, divided into 270 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of Sketches New and Old by Mark Twain exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 1348 sentences, grouped into 270 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 10 of Sketches New and Old?

Work through the 270 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 270 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 10 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 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 Sketches New and Old

Common questions about reading Sketches New and Old by Mark Twain on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Sketches New and Old?

Yes. All 2319 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #3189 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Sketches New and Old is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #3189, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Sketches New and Old take to read?

About 193 minutes of reading across 464 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Sketches New and Old section by section

How to work through Sketches New and Old section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of Sketches New and Old 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 Sketches New and Old

Words and structures a reader meets early in Sketches New and Old, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Secret
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches New and Old; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Revealed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches New and Old; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Night
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches New and Old; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stillness
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches New and Old; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.