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The Life of James McNeill Whistler
The Life of James McNeill Whistler

Chapter XVIII · Marriage. the Year Eighteen Eighty-Eight

Chapter XVIII of The Life of James McNeill Whistler, “Marriage. the Year Eighteen Eighty-Eight,” is here in full — 166 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Life of James McNeill Whistler
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."
But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.
His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.
Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.
Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Life of James McNeill Whistler

Chapter XVIII · Marriage. the Year Eighteen Eighty-Eight

Chapter XVIII of The Life of James McNeill Whistler, “Marriage. the Year Eighteen Eighty-Eight,” is here in full — 166 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."
Line 2
But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.
/bʌt bɪˈfɔːr hiː left ðə ˈbrɪtɪʃ ˈɑːrtɪsts hiː dɪd ˈmeri/
Line 3
His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.
Line 4
Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.
Line 5
Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

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.

Albert noun US /ˈælbərt/

prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)

From this reading “Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.”

architect noun US /ˈɑːrkətekt/

someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings)

From this reading “His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.”

Artists noun US /ˈɑːrtɪsts/

plural of “artist” — a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading “But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.”

champion noun US /ˈtʃæmpiən/

someone who has won first place in a competition

From this reading “His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.”

Memorial noun US /məˈmɔːriəl/

a recognition of meritorious service

From this reading “Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.”

sculptors noun US /ˈskʌlptərz/

plural of “sculptor” — an artist who creates sculptures

From this reading “Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.”

tolerate verb US /ˈtɑːləreɪt/

put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading “"I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."”

Whistler noun US /ˈwɪslər/

United States painter (1834-1903)

From this reading “"I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."”

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.

White House noun + noun

the chief executive department of the United States government

In this reading “His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.”

for years preposition + noun

In this reading “His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.”

All words in this reading · 59

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.

11

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

From this reading Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.

1886

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

From this reading Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.

1888

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

From this reading Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.

6

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

From this reading Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.

AlbertnounUS /ˈælbərt/

prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

architectnounUS /ˈɑːrkətekt/

someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings)

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

ArtistsnounUS /ˈɑːrtɪsts/

plural of “artist” — a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

AugustnounUS /ˈɑːɡəst/

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.

awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/

exceptionally bad or displeasing

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

Beatrix

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

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.

Birnie

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

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/

the people of Great Britain

From this reading But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.

championnounUS /ˈtʃæmpiən/

someone who has won first place in a competition

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/

a female human offspring

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.

diedverbUS /daɪd/

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."

don't

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

From this reading "I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."

EnounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

Godwin

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

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

HousenounUS /haʊs/

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

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.

marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/

joined in matrimony

From this reading Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.

marryverbUS /ˈmeri/

take in marriage

From this reading "I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."

MemorialnounUS /məˈmɔːriəl/

a recognition of meritorious service

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Godwin died on October 6, 1886, and Whistler married on August 11, 1888.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

PhilipnounUS /ˈfɪləp/

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

PressverbUS /pres/

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

rememberedverbUS /rɪˈmembərd/

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."

sculptorsnounUS /ˈskʌlptərz/

plural of “sculptor” — an artist who creates sculptures

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading But before he left the British Artists' he did marry.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading "I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."

tolerateverbUS /ˈtɑːləreɪt/

put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading "I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."

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 His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

WhistlernounUS /ˈwɪslər/

United States painter (1834-1903)

From this reading "I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."

Whistler's

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

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

WhitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "I don't marry," Whistler said, "though I tolerate those who do."

widownounUS /ˈwɪdoʊ/

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

workedverbUS /wɜːrkt/

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Mrs. Whistler was the daughter of John Birnie Philip, remembered as one of the sculptors who worked on the awful Albert Memorial.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading His wife was Beatrix Godwin, widow of E. W. Godwin, the architect of the White House and for years Whistler's champion in the Press.

Chapter 18 of The Life of James McNeill Whistler by Elizabeth Robins Pennell holds 166 sentences, grouped into 34 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 18 of The Life of James McNeill Whistler contain?

Chapter 18 holds 166 sentences of The Life of James McNeill Whistler, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 18 of The Life of James McNeill Whistler by Elizabeth Robins Pennell exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 166 sentences, grouped into 34 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 18 of The Life of James McNeill Whistler?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 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 18 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 18 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 Life of James McNeill Whistler

Common questions about reading The Life of James McNeill Whistler by Elizabeth Robins Pennell on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Life of James McNeill Whistler?

Yes. All 8629 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #47363 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Life of James McNeill Whistler is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #47363, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Life of James McNeill Whistler take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1726 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Life of James McNeill Whistler section by section

How to work through The Life of James McNeill Whistler section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of The Life of James McNeill Whistler 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 Life of James McNeill Whistler

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Life of James McNeill Whistler, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Italic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Life of James McNeill Whistler; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Denoted
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Life of James McNeill Whistler; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Underscores
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Life of James McNeill Whistler; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Obvious
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Life of James McNeill Whistler; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.