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The Expedition of Humphry Clinker
The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker is here in full — 83 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.
I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them till the good weather for riding is over.
The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.
Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.
In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker is here in full — 83 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.
Line 2
I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargainfor the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of themtill the good weather for riding is over.
Line 3
The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.
Line 4
Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.
/pɑːks ɑːn hɪm kraɪd ðə ˈbʊkselər hiː maɪt æz wel hæv ˈteɪkən maɪ wɪp ənd spɜːrz/
Line 5
In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’
/ɪn ðæt keɪs hiː maɪt hæv bɪn ˈtemptɪd tuː stiːl əˈnʌðər hɔːrs ənd ðen hiː wʊd hæv rɪd tuː ðə ˈdevəl ʌv kɔːrs/

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.

bookseller noun US /ˈbʊkselər/

the proprietor of a bookstore

From this reading “‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.”

fresco noun US /ˈfreskoʊ/

a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster

From this reading “The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.”

heats noun US /hiːts/

plural of “heat” — a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading “The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.”

Martin's noun US /ˈmɑːrtənz/

possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

portico noun US /ˈpɔːrtəkoʊ/

a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area

From this reading “The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.”

Pox noun US /pɑːks/

a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)

From this reading “‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.”

restitution noun US /ˌrestɪˈtuːʃən/

a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury

From this reading “Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.”

stuttering verb US /ˈstʌtərɪŋ/

-ing form of “stutter” — speak haltingly

From this reading “The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.”

All words in this reading · 116

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 Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

bargainnounUS /ˈbɑːrɡən/

an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

believedverbUS /bɪˈliːvd/

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

Birkin

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

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

booksellernounUS /ˈbʊkselər/

the proprietor of a bookstore

From this reading ‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.

bootsnounUS /buːts/

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

bulknounUS /bʌlk/

the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

casenounUS /keɪs/

an occurrence of something

From this reading In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’

churchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/

under normal conditions

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’

criedverbUS /kraɪd/

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading ‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.

Cropdale

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

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

declaredadjectiveUS /dɪˈklerd/

made known or openly avowed

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

devilnounUS /ˈdevəl/

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

fellowsnounUS /ˈfeloʊz/

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

fresconounUS /ˈfreskoʊ/

a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

glovenounUS /ɡlʌv/

the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

guineanounUS /ˈɡɪni/

a former British gold coin worth 21 shillings

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

heatsnounUS /hiːts/

plural of “heat” — a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

horsenounUS /hɔːrs/

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

indulgedverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒd/

past form of “indulge” — give free rein to

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

jokenounUS /dʒoʊk/

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

kennel-nymphs

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

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

keptadjectiveUS /kept/

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

lodgedverbUS /lɑːdʒd/

past form of “lodge” — be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

lodgingsnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/

temporary living quarters

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

lovedadjectiveUS /lʌvd/

held dear

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

Martin'snounUS /ˈmɑːrtənz/

possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading ‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

pairnounUS /per/

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

porticonounUS /ˈpɔːrtəkoʊ/

a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

PoxnounUS /pɑːks/

a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)

From this reading ‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.

proposalnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/

something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/

put or confide something in a person or thing

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

restitutionnounUS /ˌrestɪˈtuːʃən/

a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

ridverbUS /rɪd/

relieve from

From this reading In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’

ridingnounUS /ˈraɪdɪŋ/

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

sendverbUS /send/

cause to go somewhere

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

shan't

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

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

shoesnounUS /ʃuːz/

a particular situation

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

spursnounUS /spɜːrz/

plural of “spur” — a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading ‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.

St

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

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

stealverbUS /stiːl/

take without the owner's consent

From this reading In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’

stutteringverbUS /ˈstʌtərɪŋ/

-ing form of “stutter” — speak haltingly

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading ‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/

past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to

From this reading In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading In that case, he might have been tempted to steal another horse, and then he would have rid to the devil of course.’

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

weathernounUS /ˈweðər/

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

whipverbUS /wɪp/

beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading ‘Pox on him! (cried the bookseller) he might as well have taken my whip and spurs.

willinglyadverbUS /ˈwɪlɪŋli/

in a willing manner

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

witnounUS /wɪt/

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading The stuttering wit declared, that the only secret which Cropdale ever kept, was the place of his lodgings; but he believed, that, during the heats of summer, he commonly took his repose upon a bulk, or indulged himself, in fresco, with one of the kennel-nymphs, under the portico of St Martin’s church.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Birkin declared he loved a joke as well as another; but asked if any of the company could tell where Mr Cropdale lodged, that he might send him a proposal about restitution, before the boots should be made away with.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading ‘I would willingly give him a pair of new shoes (said he), and half a guinea into the bargain’ for the boots, which fitted me like a glove; and I shan’t be able to get the fellows of them ‘till the good weather for riding is over.

Chapter 16 of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by T. (Tobias) Smollett holds 83 sentences, grouped into 17 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 16 of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker contain?

Chapter 16 holds 83 sentences of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, unabridged, divided into 17 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by T. (Tobias) Smollett exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 83 sentences, grouped into 17 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 Expedition of Humphry Clinker?

Work through the 17 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 17 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 Expedition of Humphry Clinker

Common questions about reading The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by T. (Tobias) Smollett on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker?

Yes. All 2927 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2160 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #2160, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Expedition of Humphry Clinker take to read?

About 243 minutes of reading across 586 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Henry
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Davis
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bookseller
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
London
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Expedition of Humphry Clinker; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.