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 XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Dynamiter is here in full — 149 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Dynamiter
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I could not restrain a cry of admiration.
Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, they command respect.
Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?
Ingrate!’ he cried.
Each one of thesemiracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.
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 XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Dynamiter is here in full — 149 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I could not restrain a cry of admiration.
Line 2
Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.
Line 3
Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?
Line 4
Ingrate!’ he cried.
Line 5
Each one of thesemiracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

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.

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 “‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.”

All words in this reading · 56

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 I could not restrain a cry of admiration.

activity

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

admiration

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

From this reading I could not restrain a cry of admiration.

affection

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

and

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

are

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

as

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

but

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

centuries

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

cold

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

command

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

conceived

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

could

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

From this reading I could not restrain a cry of admiration.

cried

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

From this reading Ingrate!’ he cried.

cry

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

From this reading I could not restrain a cry of admiration.

death

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

dust

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

Each

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

Even

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

eyes

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

father

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

for

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

he

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

From this reading Ingrate!’ he cried.

I

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

From this reading I could not restrain a cry of admiration.

ignorant

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

in

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

Ingrate

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

From this reading Ingrate!’ he cried.

is

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

life

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

me

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

microscopical

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

miracles

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

mutual

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

my

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

nature's

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

not

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

From this reading I could not restrain a cry of admiration.

of

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

From this reading I could not restrain a cry of admiration.

one

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

out

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

passive

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

patience

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

pebbles

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

pursued

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

respect

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

restrain

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

From this reading I could not restrain a cry of admiration.

the

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

these

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

they

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

to

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

tool

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

what

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

year

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

Yet

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

From this reading Yet what are they but pebbles, passive to the tool, cold as death?

you

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

From this reading ‘Each one of these—miracles of nature’s patience, conceived out of the dust in centuries of microscopical activity, each one is, for you and me, a year of life, liberty, and mutual affection.

your

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

From this reading ‘Even in your ignorant eyes,’ pursued my father, ‘they command respect.

Chapter 16 of The Dynamiter by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 149 sentences, grouped into 30 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 16 of The Dynamiter contain?

Chapter 16 holds 149 sentences of The Dynamiter, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of The Dynamiter by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 149 sentences, grouped into 30 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 16 of The Dynamiter?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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.