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The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous
The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous is here in full — 114 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.
At last I opened my case at a distance to my governess.
I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.
I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.
I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.
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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 Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous is here in full — 114 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.
Line 2
At last I opened my case at a distance to my governess.
Line 3
I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.
Line 4
I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.
Line 5
I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

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.

Same adjective US /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading “I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.”

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.

a

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

after

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

alive

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

an

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

and

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

any

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

appeared

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

at

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

began

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

but

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

case

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

From this reading At last I opened my case at a distance to my governess.

child

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

circumstances

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

continually

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

could

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

days

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

distance

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

From this reading At last I opened my case at a distance to my governess.

do

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

exceedingly

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

for

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

governess

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

From this reading At last I opened my case at a distance to my governess.

had

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

hands

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

have

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

her

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

husband

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

I

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

in

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

inexpressible

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

it

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

knew

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

know

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

last

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

From this reading At last I opened my case at a distance to my governess.

lay

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

life

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

marriage

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

me

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

melancholy

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

misfortune

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

much

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

my

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

news

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

not

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

now

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

of

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

offer

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

often

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

on

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

one

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

opened

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

From this reading At last I opened my case at a distance to my governess.

owned

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

present

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

really

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

reflect

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

say

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

seriously

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

several

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

she

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

so

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

something

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

speak

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

surprised

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

tell

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

that

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

the

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

time

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

to

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

told

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

From this reading I could not for my life tell her that I had an offer of marriage, after I had so often told her that I had a husband, so that I really knew not what to say to her.

trouble

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

troubled

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

uneasy

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

From this reading I appeared melancholy and uneasy for several days, and she lay at me continually to know what trouble me.

upon

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

very

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

was

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

what

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

From this reading I was exceedingly surprised at the news, and began now seriously to reflect on my present circumstances, and the inexpressible misfortune it was to me to have a child upon my hands, and what to do in it I knew not.

which

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

From this reading I owned I had something which very much troubled me, but at the same time told her I could not speak of it to any one alive.

Chapter 16 of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous by Daniel Defoe holds 114 sentences, grouped into 23 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 16 of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous contain?

Chapter 16 holds 114 sentences of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous, unabridged, divided into 23 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous by Daniel Defoe exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 114 sentences, grouped into 23 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 Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous?

Work through the 23 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 23 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 Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous

Common questions about reading The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous by Daniel Defoe on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous?

Yes. All 3203 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #370 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #370, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous take to read?

About 266 minutes of reading across 641 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous section by section

How to work through The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 30 chapters of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous 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 Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Fortunes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Misfortunes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Famous
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Flanders
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.