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The History of John Bull
The History of John Bull

Chapter XLI · Chapter 41

Chapter 41 of The History of John Bull is here in full — 76 sentences across 16 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The History of John Bull
Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
possession of Ecclesdown.* * Dunkirk.
When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.
I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.
He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.
The hall resounded with the sprightly violin and the martial hautbois.
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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 History of John Bull

Chapter XLI · Chapter 41

Chapter 41 of The History of John Bull is here in full — 76 sentences across 16 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
possession of Ecclesdown.* * Dunkirk.
Line 2
When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.
Line 3
I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.
Line 4
He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.
Line 5
The hall resounded with the sprightly violin and the martial hautbois.

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.

Bull's noun US /bʊlz/

possessive form of “bull” — uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

From this reading “I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.”

cranny noun US /ˈkræni/

a long narrow depression in a surface

From this reading “I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.”

diving noun US /ˈdaɪvɪŋ/

an athletic competition that involves diving into water

From this reading “He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.”

Dunkirk noun US /ˈdʌnkərk/

a crisis in which a desperate effort is the only alternative to defeat

From this reading “possession of Ecclesdown.* * Dunkirk.”

garrets noun US /ˈɡerəts/

plural of “garret” — floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading “I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.”

mason's noun US /ˈmeɪsənz/

possessive form of “mason” — American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)

From this reading “I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.”

solidity noun US /səˈlɪdəti/

the consistency of a solid

From this reading “I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.”

symmetry noun US /ˈsɪmətri/

(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane

From this reading “I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.”

All words in this reading · 97

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 When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

admiredadjectiveUS /ədˈmaɪərd/

regarded with admiration

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

architecturenounUS /ˈɑːrkətektʃər/

an architectural product or work

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

bathedverbUS /beɪðd/

past form of “bathe” — cleanse the entire body

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

beatingnounUS /ˈbiːtɪŋ/

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

benchnounUS /bentʃ/

a long seat for more than one person

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

Bull'snounUS /bʊlz/

possessive form of “bull” — uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/

(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

castlenounUS /ˈkæsəl/

a large and stately mansion

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

causenounUS /kɑːz/

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

commendedverbUS /kəˈmendɪd/

past form of “commend” — express approval of

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

crannynounUS /ˈkræni/

a long narrow depression in a surface

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

daresay

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

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

divingnounUS /ˈdaɪvɪŋ/

an athletic competition that involves diving into water

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

down-stairs

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

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

DunkirknounUS /ˈdʌnkərk/

a crisis in which a desperate effort is the only alternative to defeat

From this reading possession of Ecclesdown.* * Dunkirk.

Ecclesdown

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

From this reading possession of Ecclesdown.* * Dunkirk.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/

an abstract part of something

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

garretsnounUS /ˈɡerəts/

plural of “garret” — floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

gladadjectiveUS /ɡlæd/

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

hallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The hall resounded with the sprightly violin and the martial hautbois.

hautboisnoun

a slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece

From this reading The hall resounded with the sprightly violin and the martial hautbois.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

hearingnounUS /ˈhiːrɪŋ/

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

HomernounUS /ˈhoʊmər/

a base hit on which the batter scores a run

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

joynounUS /dʒɔɪ/

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

judgeverbUS /dʒʌdʒ/

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/

existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

martialadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/

(of persons) befitting a warrior

From this reading The hall resounded with the sprightly violin and the martial hautbois.

mason'snounUS /ˈmeɪsənz/

possessive form of “mason” — American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

milk-whiteadjective

of a white the color of fresh milk

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading possession of Ecclesdown.* * Dunkirk.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

peepedverbUS /piːpt/

past form of “peep” — look furtively

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

plankverbUS /plæŋk/

cover with planks

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

possessionnounUS /pəˈzeʃən/

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading possession of Ecclesdown.* * Dunkirk.

proportionnounUS /prəˈpɔːrʃən/

the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

ranverbUS /ræn/

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

resounded

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

From this reading The hall resounded with the sprightly violin and the martial hautbois.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

roomsnounUS /ruːmz/

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

saltnounUS /sɔːlt/

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

sitverbUS /sɪt/

be seated

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

skippedverbUS /skɪpt/

inflected form of “skip” — bypass

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

soliditynounUS /səˈlɪdəti/

the consistency of a solid

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

sousedadjective

very drunk

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

sprightlyadjectiveUS /ˈspraɪtli/

full of spirit and vitality

From this reading The hall resounded with the sprightly violin and the martial hautbois.

swanverbUS /swɑːn/

to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/

the act of swimming

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

symmetrynounUS /ˈsɪmətri/

(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

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

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

UlyssesnounUS /juːˈlɪsiz/

(Roman mythology) Roman spelling for Odysseus

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

up-stairs

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

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

vastadjectiveUS /væst/

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

violinnounUS /vaɪəˈlɪn/

bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow

From this reading The hall resounded with the sprightly violin and the martial hautbois.

walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading He walked about the gardens; he bathed himself in the canal, swimming, diving, and beating the liquid element like a milk-white swan.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

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 When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading When John had got into his castle he seemed like Ulysses upon his plank after he had been well soused in salt water, who, as Homer says, was as glad as a judge going to sit down to dinner after hearing a long cause upon the bench.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The hall resounded with the sprightly violin and the martial hautbois.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading I daresay John Bull's joy was equal to that of either of the two; he skipped from room to room, ran up-stairs and down-stairs, from the kitchen to the garrets, and from the garrets to the kitchen; he peeped into every cranny; sometimes he admired the beauty of the architecture and the vast solidity of the mason's work; at other times he commended the symmetry and proportion of the rooms.

Chapter 41 of The History of John Bull by John Arbuthnot holds 76 sentences, grouped into 16 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 41 of The History of John Bull contain?

Chapter 41 holds 76 sentences of The History of John Bull, unabridged, divided into 16 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 41 of The History of John Bull by John Arbuthnot exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 76 sentences, grouped into 16 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 41 of The History of John Bull?

Work through the 16 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 16 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.

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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.

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Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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