Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Dynamiter
The Dynamiter

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Dynamiter is here in full — 136 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 1 of The Dynamiter by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 136 sentences, grouped into 28 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 1 of The Dynamiter contain?

Chapter 1 holds 136 sentences of The Dynamiter, unabridged, divided into 28 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Dynamiter by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 136 sentences, grouped into 28 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 The Dynamiter?

Work through the 28 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 28 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 The Dynamiter

Common questions about reading The Dynamiter by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Dynamiter?

Yes. All 3426 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #647 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Dynamiter is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #647, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Dynamiter take to read?

About 285 minutes of reading across 686 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Dynamiter section by section

How to work through The Dynamiter section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 22 chapters of The Dynamiter 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 Dynamiter

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

Silver
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Dynamiter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Library
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Dynamiter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Edition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Dynamiter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
January
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Dynamiter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for The Dynamiter
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.
TO MESSRS.
COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.
_It were a waste of ink to do so in a serious spirit_.
_Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.
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.

The Dynamiter

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Dynamiter is here in full — 136 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.
Line 2
TO MESSRS.
Line 3
COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.
Line 4
_It were a waste of ink to do so in a serious spirit_.
Line 5
_Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.
All words in this reading · 69

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1895

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

1897

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

1899

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

1903

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

a

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

From this reading _It were a waste of ink to do so in a serious spirit_.

acts

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

AND

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

August

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

authors

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

can

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

COLE

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

contended

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

COX

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

crime

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

dedicate

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

devil

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

do

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

From this reading _It were a waste of ink to do so in a serious spirit_.

Edition

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

features

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

Gentlemen

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

glory

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

hands

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

have

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

horror

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

humanity

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

In

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

ink

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

From this reading _It were a waste of ink to do so in a serious spirit_.

is

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

it

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

January

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

July

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

Let

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

Library

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

March

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

MESSRS

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

From this reading TO MESSRS.

mingled

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

more

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

nobility

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

now

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

of

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

OFFICERS

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

our

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

POLICE

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

preserves

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

reason

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

relish

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

Reprinted

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

serious

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

From this reading _It were a waste of ink to do so in a serious spirit_.

Silver

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

From this reading _Silver Library Edition_, _January 1895_; _Reprinted March 1897_, _July 1899_, _August 1903_.

so

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

From this reading _It were a waste of ink to do so in a serious spirit_.

some

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

spirit

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

From this reading _It were a waste of ink to do so in a serious spirit_.

still

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

strain

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

temptation

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

that

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

the

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

TO

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

From this reading TO MESSRS.

touched

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

ugly

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

upon

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

us

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

volume

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

waste

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

From this reading _It were a waste of ink to do so in a serious spirit_.

were

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

From this reading _It were a waste of ink to do so in a serious spirit_.

where

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

From this reading _Let us dedicate our horror to acts of a more mingled strain_, _where crime preserves some features of nobility_, _and where reason and humanity can still relish the temptation_.

which

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

with

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.

your

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

From this reading COLE AND COX, POLICE OFFICERS _Gentlemen,—In the volume now in your hands_, _the authors have touched upon that ugly devil of crime_, _with which it is your glory to have contended_.