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The Humbugs of the World
The Humbugs of the World

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of The Humbugs of the World is here in full — 163 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By P. T. (Phineas Taylor) Barnum • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Humbugs of the World
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.
W. F. VAN VLECK.
The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.
They were then mere lads.
For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.
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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 Humbugs of the World

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of The Humbugs of the World is here in full — 163 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.
Line 2
W. F. VAN VLECK.
Line 3
The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.
/ðə ˈdævənpɔːrt ˈbrʌðərz ɑːr ˈneɪtɪvz ʌv ˈbʌfəloʊ en waɪ ənd ɪn ðæt ˈsɪti kəˈmenst ðer kərˈɪr æz ˈmiːdiəmz əˈbaʊt twelv jɪrz əˈɡoʊ/
Line 4
They were then mere lads.
/ðeɪ wɜːr ðen mɪr lædz/
Line 5
For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.
/fɔːr sʌm taɪm ðer ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz wɜːr kənˈfaɪnd tuː ðer oʊn pleɪs wer ˈhævɪŋ əbˈteɪnd kənˈsɪdərəbəl ˌnoʊtərˈaɪəti θruː ðə pres ðeɪ wɜːr ˈvɪzɪtɪd baɪ ˈpiːpəl frʌm ɔːl pɑːrts ʌv ðə ˈkʌntri/

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.

Buffalo noun US /ˈbʌfəloʊ/

large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains

From this reading “The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cabinet noun US /ˈkæbənət/

a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display

From this reading “THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
confined adjective US /kənˈfaɪnd/

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading “For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
davenport noun US /ˈdævənpɔːrt/

a city in eastern Iowa on the Mississippi River across from Moline and Rock Island

From this reading “THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mediums noun US /ˈmiːdiəmz/

plural of “medium” — a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information

From this reading “The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notoriety noun US /ˌnoʊtərˈaɪəti/

the state of being known for some unfavorable act or quality

From this reading “For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
operations noun US /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/

financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records

From this reading “For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
secrets noun US /ˈsiːkrəts/

plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

From this reading “THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.”

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.

twelve years noun + noun

In this reading “The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.”

5,797 times in 426,211 chapters
some time adjective + noun

In this reading “For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.”

77,244 times in 426,211 chapters
about twelve preposition + noun

In this reading “The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.”

3,094 times in 426,211 chapters
mere lads adjective + noun counted as “mere lad”

In this reading “They were then mere lads.”

246 times in 426,211 chapters
all parts adjective + noun

In this reading “For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.”

4,330 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 73

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.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/

in the past

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BROTHERSnounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BuffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/

large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
CABINETnounUS /ˈkæbənət/

a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
careernounUS /kərˈɪr/

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CHOOSEverbUS /tʃuːz/

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/

past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
confinedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnd/

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DARKNESSnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DAVENPORTnounUS /ˈdævənpɔːrt/

a city in eastern Iowa on the Mississippi River across from Moline and Rock Island

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DONEadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DR

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

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

Pending verification
ETC

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

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

Pending verification
FnounUS /ef/

a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature

From this reading W. F. VAN VLECK.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HANDnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HOW

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

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

Pending verification
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ladsnounUS /lædz/

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading They were then mere lads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LIGHTadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mediumsnounUS /ˈmiːdiəmz/

plural of “medium” — a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/

being nothing more than specified

From this reading They were then mere lads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MUSICnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NnounUS /en/

a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nativesnounUS /ˈneɪtɪvz/

plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notorietynounUS /ˌnoʊtərˈaɪəti/

the state of being known for some unfavorable act or quality

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
obtainedverbUS /əbˈteɪnd/

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/

financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
partsnounUS /pɑːrts/

the local environment

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PLAYINGnounUS /ˈpleɪɪŋ/

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pressverbUS /pres/

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PROGRESSnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RATHERadverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RISEverbUS /raɪz/

move upward

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ROPE-TYING

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

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

Pending verification
SECRETSnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/

plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SPIRITUALadjectiveUS /ˈspɪrɪtʃuːəl/

concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THANconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEIRdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading They were then mere lads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEYpronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THINGnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--DR.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
twelvenounUS /twelv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
VANnounUS /væn/

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading W. F. VAN VLECK.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
visitedverbUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪd/

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
VLECK

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

From this reading W. F. VAN VLECK.

Pending verification
WnounUS /ˈdʌbəljuː/

a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite

From this reading W. F. VAN VLECK.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading They were then mere lads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading For some time, their operations were confined to their own place, where, having obtained considerable notoriety through the press, they were visited by people from all parts of the country.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
YnounUS /waɪ/

a silvery metallic element that is common in rare-earth minerals; used in magnesium and aluminum alloys

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading The Davenport Brothers are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., and in that city commenced their career as "mediums" about twelve years ago.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 8 of The Humbugs of the World by P. T. (Phineas Taylor) Barnum holds 163 sentences, grouped into 33 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 8 of The Humbugs of the World contain?

Chapter 8 holds 163 sentences of The Humbugs of the World, unabridged, divided into 33 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of The Humbugs of the World by P. T. (Phineas Taylor) Barnum exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 163 sentences, grouped into 33 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 8 of The Humbugs of the World?

Work through the 33 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 33 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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 Humbugs of the World

Common questions about reading The Humbugs of the World by P. T. (Phineas Taylor) Barnum on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Humbugs of the World?

Yes. All 4632 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #26640 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Humbugs of the World is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #26640, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Humbugs of the World take to read?

About 386 minutes of reading across 927 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Humbugs of the World section by section

How to work through The Humbugs of the World section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Humbugs of the World 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 Humbugs of the World

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Humbugs of the World, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Humbugs
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Humbugs of the World; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
World
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Humbugs of the World; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Account
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Humbugs of the World; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Delusions
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Humbugs of the World; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.