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The Joss: A Reversion
The Joss: A Reversion

Chapter XXXIV · How Matters Stand to-Day

Chapter XXXIV of The Joss: A Reversion, “How Matters Stand to-Day,” is here in full — 99 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Joss: A Reversion
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.
But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.
What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.
So far as could be ascertained, intact.
The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Joss: A Reversion

Chapter XXXIV · How Matters Stand to-Day

Chapter XXXIV of The Joss: A Reversion, “How Matters Stand to-Day,” is here in full — 99 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.
Line 2
But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.
/bʌt fɔːr ðə ˌsætəˈsfækʃən ʌv ˈeni ˈriːdər huː meɪ dɪˈzaɪər tuː noʊ wʌt bɪˈkeɪm ʌv ə biː siː ɔːr diː ðiːz ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ laɪnz ɑːr ˈædəd/
Line 3
What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.
Line 4
So far as could be ascertained, intact.
/soʊ fɑːr æz kʊd biː ˌæsərˈteɪnd ˌɪnˈtækt/
Line 5
The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.
/ðə ˈkwestʃən ʌv ˈoʊnərʃɪp ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd ə naɪs ˈliːɡəl ˈprɑːbləm/

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.

ascertained adjective US /ˌæsərˈteɪnd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading “So far as could be ascertained, intact.”

intact adjective US /ˌɪnˈtækt/

constituting the undiminished entirety; lacking nothing essential especially not damaged

From this reading “So far as could be ascertained, intact.”

involved adjective US /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading “The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.”

Lander noun US /ˈlændər/

a town in central Wyoming

From this reading “I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.”

legal adjective US /ˈliːɡəl/

established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules

From this reading “The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.”

Max noun US /mæks/

street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate

From this reading “I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.”

ownership noun US /ˈoʊnərʃɪp/

the relation of an owner to the thing possessed; possession with the right to transfer possession to others

From this reading “The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.”

treasures noun US /ˈtreʒərz/

plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading “What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.”

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.

following lines adjective + noun counted as “following line”

In this reading “But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.”

All words in this reading · 63

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 But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

addedverbUS /ˈædəd/

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

ascertainedadjectiveUS /ˌæsərˈteɪnd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading So far as could be ascertained, intact.

BnounUS /biː/

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading So far as could be ascertained, intact.

becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

CnounUS /siː/

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

Camford

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

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

conclusionnounUS /kənˈkluːʒən/

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading So far as could be ascertained, intact.

DnounUS /diː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

describedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskraɪbd/

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading So far as could be ascertained, intact.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/

the aggregate of past events

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

intactadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtækt/

constituting the undiminished entirety; lacking nothing essential especially not damaged

From this reading So far as could be ascertained, intact.

involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

LandernounUS /ˈlændər/

a town in central Wyoming

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

Lander's

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

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

legaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/

established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules

From this reading The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.

linesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

MaxnounUS /mæks/

street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

niceadjectiveUS /naɪs/

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

ownershipnounUS /ˈoʊnərʃɪp/

the relation of an owner to the thing possessed; possession with the right to transfer possession to others

From this reading The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.

preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/

more desirable than another

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.

questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading The question of ownership involved a nice legal problem.

readernounUS /ˈriːdər/

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

satisfactionnounUS /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So far as could be ascertained, intact.

statementnounUS /ˈsteɪtmənt/

a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

StreetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

templenounUS /ˈtempəl/

place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I should have preferred that the close of Captain Max Lander’s statement should have been the conclusion of this strange history.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

treasuresnounUS /ˈtreʒərz/

plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading What have been described by Captain Lander as “the treasures of the temple” were found in the house in Camford Street.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading But for the satisfaction of any reader who may desire to know what became of A, B, C, or D, these following lines are added.

Chapter 34 of The Joss: A Reversion by Richard Marsh holds 99 sentences, grouped into 20 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 34 of The Joss: A Reversion contain?

Chapter 34 holds 99 sentences of The Joss: A Reversion, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 34 of The Joss: A Reversion by Richard Marsh exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 99 sentences, grouped into 20 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 34 of The Joss: A Reversion?

Work through the 20 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 20 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 34 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 34 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 Joss: A Reversion

Common questions about reading The Joss: A Reversion by Richard Marsh on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Joss: A Reversion?

Yes. All 7589 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #64997 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Joss: A Reversion is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #64997, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Joss: A Reversion take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1518 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Joss: A Reversion section by section

How to work through The Joss: A Reversion section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 34 chapters of The Joss: A Reversion 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 Joss: A Reversion

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Joss: A Reversion, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Aggravating
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Joss: A Reversion; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Everything
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Joss: A Reversion; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Against
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Joss: A Reversion; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fined
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Joss: A Reversion; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.