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The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times
The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times is here in full — 22 sentences across 5 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times
Context Illustration Reading 1/4 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A TALE OF STIRRING TIMES.
AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.
PREFACE.
Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.
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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 Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times is here in full — 22 sentences across 5 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/4 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A TALE OF STIRRING TIMES.
/ə teɪl ʌv ˈstɜːrɪŋ taɪmz/
Line 2
AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.
Line 3
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.
Line 4
PREFACE.
/ˈprefəs/
Line 5
Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.
/tʃeɪndʒ ʌv siːn aɪ bɪˈliːv tuː biː æz ˌɪnˈvɪɡəreɪtɪŋ tuː ðə maɪnd æz tʃeɪndʒ ʌv er ɪz tuː ðə ˈbɑːdi rɪˈfreʃɪŋ ðə ˈwɪri ənd ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd ˈpaʊərz ənd əˈfɔːrdɪŋ ə ˈstɪmjələs wɪtʃ prɑːmpts tuː ækˈtɪvəti ʌv θɔːt/

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.

affording verb US /əˈfɔːrdɪŋ/

-ing form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading “Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
commissioner noun US /kəˈmɪʃənər/

a government administrator

From this reading “AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forgery noun US /ˈfɔːrdʒəri/

a copy that is represented as the original

From this reading “AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
invigorating adjective US /ˌɪnˈvɪɡəreɪtɪŋ/

imparting strength and vitality

From this reading “Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
prompts noun US /prɑːmpts/

plural of “prompt” — a cue given to a performer (usually the beginning of the next line to be spoken)

From this reading “Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
richelieu noun US /ˈrɪʃəluː/

French prelate and statesman; principal minister to Louis XIII (1585-1642)

From this reading “AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stimulus noun US /ˈstɪmjələs/

any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action

From this reading “Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
woodman noun US /ˈwʊdmən/

someone who lives in the woods

From this reading “AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.”

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.

eight hundred adjective + noun

In this reading “Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.”

4,412 times in 426,211 chapters
OAK CHEST noun + noun

In this reading “AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.”

248 times in 426,211 chapters
STIRRING TIMES noun + noun

In this reading “A TALE OF STIRRING TIMES.”

286 times in 426,211 chapters
OLD OAK adjective + noun

In this reading “AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.”

1,589 times in 426,211 chapters
Act of verb + particle

In this reading “Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.”

28,018 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 66

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 A TALE OF STIRRING TIMES.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ActverbUS /ækt/

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/

any specific behavior

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
affordingverbUS /əˈfɔːrdɪŋ/

-ing form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BEAUCHAMP

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

Pending verification
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
cnounUS /siː/

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ChangeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CHESTnounUS /tʃest/

the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ClerknounUS /klɜːrk/

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
COMMISSIONERnounUS /kəˈmɪʃənər/

a government administrator

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CongressnounUS /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CourtnounUS /kɔːrt/

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DARKnounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DistrictnounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkt/

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/

being one more than seven

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EnteredverbUS /ˈentərd/

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
exhaustedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fifty-oneadjective

being one more than fifty

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FORGERYnounUS /ˈfɔːrdʒəri/

a copy that is represented as the original

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GOWRIE

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

Pending verification
HENRYnounUS /ˈhenri/

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HISTORYnounUS /ˈhɪstəri/

the aggregate of past events

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/

ten 10s

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
invigoratingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪɡəreɪtɪŋ/

imparting strength and vitality

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

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 Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

Velmora curated lexicon
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OAKnounUS /oʊk/

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A TALE OF STIRRING TIMES.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OfficenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OLDadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
powersnounUS /ˈpaʊərz/

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PREFACEnounUS /ˈprefəs/

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading PREFACE.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
promptsnounUS /prɑːmpts/

plural of “prompt” — a cue given to a performer (usually the beginning of the next line to be spoken)

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
refreshingadjectiveUS /rɪˈfreʃɪŋ/

imparting vitality and energy

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RICHELIEUnounUS /ˈrɪʃəluː/

French prelate and statesman; principal minister to Louis XIII (1585-1642)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RUSSELLnounUS /ˈrʌsəl/

United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
scenenounUS /siːn/

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SCENESnounUS /siːnz/

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SMEATON

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

Pending verification
SouthernadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərn/

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stimulusnounUS /ˈstɪmjələs/

any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
STIRRINGnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/

agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading A TALE OF STIRRING TIMES.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TALEnounUS /teɪl/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading A TALE OF STIRRING TIMES.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
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 COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TIMESnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading A TALE OF STIRRING TIMES.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wearyverbUS /ˈwɪri/

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Change of scene I believe to be as invigorating to the mind as change of air is to the body, refreshing the weary and exhausted powers, and affording a stimulus which prompts to activity of thought.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WOODMANnounUS /ˈwʊdmən/

someone who lives in the woods

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE COMMISSIONER," "HENRY SMEATON," "THE OLD OAK CHEST," "THE WOODMAN," "GOWRIE," "RUSSELL," "THE FORGERY," "BEAUCHAMP," "RICHELIEU," "DARK SCENES OF HISTORY," &c., &c.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, by in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James holds 22 sentences, grouped into 5 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 Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times contain?

Chapter 1 holds 22 sentences of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times, unabridged, divided into 5 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 22 sentences, grouped into 5 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 Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times?

Work through the 5 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 5 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 Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times

Common questions about reading The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times?

Yes. All 5590 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #51455 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #51455, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times take to read?

About 465 minutes of reading across 1118 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times section by section

How to work through The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Stirring
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Times
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Commissioner
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fate: A Tale of Stirring Times; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.