The Backwoods Boy

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of The Backwoods Boy is here in full — 63 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Horatio, Jr. Alger • Curated US English Learning Edition

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It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.

Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

Narrator

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LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter X Reading 1/12

The Backwoods Boy Horatio, Jr. Alger

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of The Backwoods Boy is here in full — 63 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

A CASE IN COURT We are told by Mr. Lamon, that Mr. Lincoln got his license as an attorney early in 1837, and commenced practice regularly as a lawyer in the town of Springfield, in March of that year. It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life. Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance. The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation. Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

The Backwoods Boy

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of The Backwoods Boy is here in full — 63 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/12 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

Line 2

It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

/ɪt ɪz wɪð ðɪs pleɪs ðæt hɪz neɪm wɑːz əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd fɔːr ðə rɪˈmeɪndər ʌv hɪz laɪf/

Line 3

Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

/ðoʊ ɪt kənˈteɪnd æt ðæt taɪm les ðæn tuː ˈθaʊzənd ɪnˈhæbətənts ɪt wɑːz ə taʊn ʌv kənˈsɪdərəbəl ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/

Line 4

The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.

/ðə lɪst ʌv ðə ˈloʊkəl bɑːr kənˈteɪnd ðə neɪmz ʌv ˈsevrəl men ʌv əˈbɪlətiː ənd ˌrepjəˈteɪʃən/

Line 5

Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

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.

associated verb US /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/

past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection

From this reading “It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.”

attorney noun US /əˈtɜːrni/

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading “A CASE IN COURT We are told by Mr. Lamon, that Mr. Lincoln got his license as an attorney early in 1837, and commenced practice regularly as a lawyer in the town of Springfield, in March of that year.”

Douglas noun US /ˈdʌɡləs/

United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)

From this reading “Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.”

license noun US /ˈlaɪsəns/

a legal document giving official permission to do something

Lincoln noun US /ˈlɪŋkən/

16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)

prosecutor noun US /ˈprɑːsɪkjuːtər/

a government official who conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state

From this reading “Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.”

regularly adverb US /ˈreɡjələrli/

in a regular manner

Springfield noun US /ˈsprɪŋfiːld/

capital of the state of Illinois

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.

public prosecutor noun + noun

a government official who conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state

In this reading “Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.”

considerable importance adjective + noun

In this reading “Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.”

thousand inhabitants noun + noun counted as “thousand inhabitant”

In this reading “Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.”

two thousand noun + noun

In this reading “Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.”

for the remainder preposition + article + noun counted as “for … remainder”

In this reading “It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.”

list of verb + particle

In this reading “The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.”

several men adjective + noun

In this reading “The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.”

in the town preposition + article + noun counted as “in … town”

In this reading “A CASE IN COURT We are told by Mr. Lamon, that Mr. Lincoln got his license as an attorney early in 1837, and commenced practice regularly as a lawyer in the town of Springfield, in March of that year.”

All words in this reading · 69

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.

1836

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

From this reading Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

1837

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

From this reading A CASE IN COURT We are told by Mr. Lamon, that Mr. Lincoln got his license as an attorney early in 1837, and commenced practice regularly as a lawyer in the town of Springfield, in March of that year.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.

alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

associatedverbUS /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/

past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

attorneynounUS /əˈtɜːrni/

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

barnounUS /bɑːr/

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

CASEnounUS /keɪs/

an occurrence of something

commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/

past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

containedadjectiveUS /kənˈteɪnd/

gotten under control

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

COURTnounUS /kɔːrt/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

DouglasnounUS /ˈdʌɡləs/

United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)

From this reading Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

inhabitantsnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənts/

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

Lamon

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

lawyernounUS /ˈlɔːjər/

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

licensenounUS /ˈlaɪsəns/

a legal document giving official permission to do something

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

LincolnnounUS /ˈlɪŋkən/

16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)

listverbUS /lɪst/

give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of

From this reading The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.

localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.

MarchverbUS /mɑːrtʃ/

march in a procession

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

namesnounUS /neɪmz/

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

practicenounUS /ˈpræktəs/

a customary way of operation or behavior

prosecutornounUS /ˈprɑːsɪkjuːtər/

a government official who conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state

From this reading Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

referredverbUS /rəˈfɜːrd/

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/

in a regular manner

remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/

something left after other parts have been taken away

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

reputationnounUS /ˌrepjəˈteɪʃən/

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.

severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading The list of the local bar contained the names of several men of ability and reputation.

SpringfieldnounUS /ˈsprɪŋfiːld/

capital of the state of Illinois

StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/

English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Stephen A. Douglas, already referred to, was public prosecutor in 1836.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

townnounUS /taʊn/

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Though it contained at that time less than two thousand inhabitants, it was a town of considerable importance.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is with this place that his name was associated for the remainder of his life.

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

Chapter 10 of The Backwoods Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger holds 63 sentences, grouped into 13 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 10 of The Backwoods Boy contain?

Chapter 10 holds 63 sentences of The Backwoods Boy, unabridged, divided into 13 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of The Backwoods Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 63 sentences, grouped into 13 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 The Backwoods Boy?

Work through the 13 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 13 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 The Backwoods Boy

Common questions about reading The Backwoods Boy by Horatio, Jr. Alger on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Backwoods Boy?

Yes. All 2652 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #52073 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Backwoods Boy is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #52073, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Backwoods Boy take to read?

About 221 minutes of reading across 531 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Backwoods Boy

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Backwoods Boy, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Horatio: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Backwoods Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Alger: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Backwoods Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Canal: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Backwoods Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
President: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Backwoods Boy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter X

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