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The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters
The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters is here in full — 467 sentences across 94 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By James Lane Allen • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters
Context Illustration Reading 1/93 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AUTHOR OF "THE KENTUCKY CARDINAL," "THE KENTUCKY WARBLER," ETC.
There is nothing so ill-bred as audible laughter....
I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.
--Lord Chesterfield's Letters to his Son.
BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden
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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 Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters is here in full — 467 sentences across 94 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/93 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AUTHOR OF "THE KENTUCKY CARDINAL," "THE KENTUCKY WARBLER," ETC.
Line 2
There is nothing so ill-bred as audible laughter....
Line 3
I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.
/aɪ æm ʃʊr ðæt sɪns aɪ hæv hæd ðə fʊl juːs ʌv maɪ ˈriːzən ˈnoʊbɑːdiː hæz ˈevər hɜːrd miː læf/
Line 4
--Lord Chesterfield's Letters to his Son.
Line 5
BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

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.

boles noun US /boʊlz/

plural of “bole” — a soft oily clay used as a pigment (especially a reddish brown pigment)

From this reading “BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
chamberlain noun US /ˈtʃeɪmbərlən/

British statesman who as Prime Minister pursued a policy of appeasement toward fascist Germany (1869-1940)

From this reading “BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doolittle noun US /ˈduːlɪtəl/

United States Air Force officer who electrified the world in 1942 by leading a squadron of 16 bombers on a daylight raid over Tokyo (1896-1993)

From this reading “BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Florist noun US /ˈflɑːrɪst/

someone who grows and deals in flowers

From this reading “BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Long-winded adjective US /ˈlɔːŋˈwɪndɪd/

using or containing too many words

From this reading “BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Marigold noun US /ˈmerəɡoʊld/

any of various tropical American plants of the genus Tagetes widely cultivated for their showy yellow or orange flowers

From this reading “BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
noah noun US /ˈnoʊə/

the Hebrew patriarch who saved himself and his family and the animals by building an ark in which they survived 40 days and 40 nights of rain; the story of Noah and the flood is told in the Book of Genesis

From this reading “BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
warbler noun US /ˈwɔːrblər/

a singer; usually a singer who adds embellishments to the song

From this reading “AUTHOR OF "THE KENTUCKY CARDINAL," "THE KENTUCKY WARBLER," ETC.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

ever heard adverb + adjective

In this reading “I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.”

12,142 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 77

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

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
absent-minded

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ANDY

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading There is nothing so ill-bred as audible laughter....

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/

heard or perceptible by the ear

From this reading There is nothing so ill-bred as audible laughter....

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE KENTUCKY CARDINAL," "THE KENTUCKY WARBLER," ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BENJAMINnounUS /ˈbendʒəmən/

gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Beverley

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
Blackthorne

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
BOLESnounUS /boʊlz/

plural of “bole” — a soft oily clay used as a pigment (especially a reddish brown pigment)

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CARDINALnounUS /ˈkɑːrdənəl/

(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE KENTUCKY CARDINAL," "THE KENTUCKY WARBLER," ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CHAMBERLAINnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərlən/

British statesman who as Prime Minister pursued a policy of appeasement toward fascist Germany (1869-1940)

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Chesterfield's

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

From this reading --Lord Chesterfield's Letters to his Son.

Pending verification
CLAUDE

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
clubnounUS /klʌb/

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DangerousadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DOOLITTLEnounUS /ˈduːlɪtəl/

United States Air Force officer who electrified the world in 1942 by leading a squadron of 16 bombers on a daylight raid over Tokyo (1896-1993)

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EdwardnounUS /ˈedwərd/

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ETC

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE KENTUCKY CARDINAL," "THE KENTUCKY WARBLER," ETC.

Pending verification
everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/

being or in accordance with current social fashions

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FloristnounUS /ˈflɑːrɪst/

someone who grows and deals in flowers

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
friendnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gardenernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənər/

someone who takes care of a garden

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading --Lord Chesterfield's Letters to his Son.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HODGE

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ill-bredadjective

(of persons) lacking in refinement or grace

From this reading There is nothing so ill-bred as audible laughter....

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading There is nothing so ill-bred as audible laughter....

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
KENTnounUS /kent/

a county in southeastern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, it was the first to be colonized by the Romans

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
KENTUCKYnounUS /kənˈtʌki/

a state in east central United States; a border state during the American Civil War; famous for breeding race horses

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE KENTUCKY CARDINAL," "THE KENTUCKY WARBLER," ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
laughnounUS /læf/

the sound of laughing

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
laughternounUS /ˈlæftər/

the sound of laughing

From this reading There is nothing so ill-bred as audible laughter....

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lawyernounUS /ˈlɔːjər/

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LettersnounUS /ˈletərz/

the literary culture

From this reading --Lord Chesterfield's Letters to his Son.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Long-windedadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːŋˈwɪndɪd/

using or containing too many words

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LordnounUS /lɔːrd/

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading --Lord Chesterfield's Letters to his Son.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MarigoldnounUS /ˈmerəɡoʊld/

any of various tropical American plants of the genus Tagetes widely cultivated for their showy yellow or orange flowers

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
MULLEN

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
nerve-specialist

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
NOAHnounUS /ˈnoʊə/

the Hebrew patriarch who saved himself and his family and the animals by building an ark in which they survived 40 days and 40 nights of rain; the story of Noah and the flood is told in the Book of Genesis

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There is nothing so ill-bred as audible laughter....

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE KENTUCKY CARDINAL," "THE KENTUCKY WARBLER," ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
PETERSnounUS /ˈpiːtərz/

plural of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
POLLY

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
PracticaladjectiveUS /ˈpræktəkəl/

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
presidentnounUS /ˈprezədent/

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
professornounUS /prəˈfesər/

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RUFUS

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
SandsnounUS /sændz/

the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
SNOWDEN

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There is nothing so ill-bred as audible laughter....

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
SonnounUS /sʌn/

a male human offspring

From this reading --Lord Chesterfield's Letters to his Son.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
StupidadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpəd/

lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sweetheartnounUS /ˈswiːthɑːrt/

a person loved by another person

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE KENTUCKY CARDINAL," "THE KENTUCKY WARBLER," ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is nothing so ill-bred as audible laughter....

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TILLY

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

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

Pending verification
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading --Lord Chesterfield's Letters to his Son.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason nobody has ever heard me laugh.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
VeryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE....Practical lawyer, friend of Beverley Sands CLAUDE MULLEN............Fashionable nerve-specialist, friend of George Marigold RUFUS KENT.......................Long-winded president of a club NOAH CHAMBERLAIN......Very learned, very absent-minded professor ANDY PETERS..............................................Florist HODGE......................Stupid gardener of Edward Blackthorne TILLY SNOWDEN.............Dangerous sweetheart of Beverley Sands POLLY BOLES..........Dangerous sweetheart of Benjamin Doolittle, friend of Tilly Snowden

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WARBLERnounUS /ˈwɔːrblər/

a singer; usually a singer who adds embellishments to the song

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE KENTUCKY CARDINAL," "THE KENTUCKY WARBLER," ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters by James Lane Allen holds 467 sentences, grouped into 94 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 1 of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters contain?

Chapter 1 holds 467 sentences of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters, unabridged, divided into 94 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters by James Lane Allen exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 467 sentences, grouped into 94 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 Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters?

Work through the 94 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 94 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 Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters

Common questions about reading The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters by James Lane Allen on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters?

Yes. All 2293 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #60435 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #60435, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters take to read?

About 191 minutes of reading across 459 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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How to work through The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Kentucky
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cardinal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Warbler
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.