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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is here in full — 122 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.
In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.
Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.
We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.
I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.
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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.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is here in full — 122 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.
Line 2
In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.
Line 3
Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.
Line 4
We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.
Line 5
I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

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.

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.”

Liberty noun US /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading “I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

alehouse

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

all

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

almanacs

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

and

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

any

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

as

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

At

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

ballads

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

be

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

become

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

being

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

benefit

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

bookseller's

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

borrow

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

Boston

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

bring

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

but

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

club

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

colonies

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

common

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

conferences

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

consult

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

each

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

England

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

establish'd

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

etc

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

few

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

first

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

for

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

from

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

good

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

had

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

he

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

hired

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

hold

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

home

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

I

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

in

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

indeed

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

Junto

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

left

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

lov'd

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

members

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

met

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

myself

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

New

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

not

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

oblig'd

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

of

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

only

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

our

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

paper

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

Pennsylvania

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

Philad'a

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

printers

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

propos'd

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

read

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

reading

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

ready

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

room

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

school-books

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

send

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

shop

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

should

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

sold

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

southward

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

stationers

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

such

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

that

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

the

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

their

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

there

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

they

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

Those

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

time

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

to

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

us

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

was

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

From this reading At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.

We

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

were

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

where

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

From this reading We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.

who

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

From this reading Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few.

wish'd

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

would

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

From this reading I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home.

York

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

From this reading In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.

Chapter 9 of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin holds 122 sentences, grouped into 25 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 9 of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin contain?

Chapter 9 holds 122 sentences of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, unabridged, divided into 25 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 122 sentences, grouped into 25 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 9 of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin?

Work through the 25 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 25 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Common questions about reading The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin?

Yes. All 2063 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #148 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #148, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin take to read?

About 171 minutes of reading across 413 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin section by section

How to work through The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 18 chapters of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin 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 The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Letter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
James
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Publishes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.