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The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a

Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

Chapter 14 of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a is here in full — 131 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.
"They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."
"They must both fall!" said he, with a sigh and melancholy look.
"It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."
"The God of Heaven forbid it!" said I.
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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 Private Memoirs and Confessions of a

Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

Chapter 14 of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a is here in full — 131 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.
/aɪ æm ˈsɑːri tuː seɪ aɪ noʊ ˈnʌθɪŋ ɡʊd sed aɪ/
Line 2
"They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."
Line 3
"They must both fall!" said he, with a sigh and melancholy look.
/ðeɪ mʌst boʊθ fɔːl sed hiː wɪð ə saɪ ənd ˈmelənkɑːli lʊk/
Line 4
"It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."
/ɪt ɪz dɪˈkriːd ɪn ðə ˈkaʊnsəlz əˈbʌv ðæt ðeɪ mʌst boʊθ fɔːl baɪ jɔːr hænd/
Line 5
"The God of Heaven forbid it!" said I.
/ðə ɡɑːd ʌv ˈhevən fərˈbɪd ɪt sed aɪ/

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.

beings noun US /ˈbiːɪŋz/

plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing

From this reading “"They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."”

castaways noun US /ˈkæstəweɪz/

plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)

From this reading “"They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."”

councils noun US /ˈkaʊnsəlz/

plural of “council” — a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading “"It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."”

decreed adjective US /dɪˈkriːd/

fixed or established especially by order or command

From this reading “"It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."”

forbid verb US /fərˈbɪd/

command against

From this reading “"The God of Heaven forbid it!" said I.”

iniquity noun US /ˌɪˈnɪkwɪti/

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading “"They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."”

species noun US /ˈspiːʃiz/

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading “"They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."”

workers noun US /ˈwɜːrkərz/

plural of “worker” — a person who works at a specific occupation

From this reading “"They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."”

All words in this reading · 49

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 "They must both fall!" said he, with a sigh and melancholy look.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading "It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/

plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading "They must both fall!" said he, with a sigh and melancholy look.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

castawaysnounUS /ˈkæstəweɪz/

plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

councilsnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəlz/

plural of “council” — a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading "It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

decreedadjectiveUS /dɪˈkriːd/

fixed or established especially by order or command

From this reading "It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

devotedadjectiveUS /dɪˈvoʊtɪd/

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

fallverbUS /fɔːl/

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading "They must both fall!" said he, with a sigh and melancholy look.

forbidverbUS /fərˈbɪd/

command against

From this reading "The God of Heaven forbid it!" said I.

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading "The God of Heaven forbid it!" said I.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.

greedinessnoun

an excessive desire for food

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading "It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "They must both fall!" said he, with a sigh and melancholy look.

HeavennounUS /ˈhevən/

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading "The God of Heaven forbid it!" said I.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

iniquitynounUS /ˌɪˈnɪkwɪti/

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading "They must both fall!" said he, with a sigh and melancholy look.

melancholynounUS /ˈmelənkɑːli/

a feeling of thoughtful sadness

From this reading "They must both fall!" said he, with a sigh and melancholy look.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "They must both fall!" said he, with a sigh and melancholy look.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

reprobates

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

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading "I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.

sighverbUS /saɪ/

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading "They must both fall!" said he, with a sigh and melancholy look.

sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading "I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.

speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to say I know nothing good," said I.

WickedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪkəd/

morally bad in principle or practice

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

workersnounUS /ˈwɜːrkərz/

plural of “worker” — a person who works at a specific occupation

From this reading "They are reprobates, castaways, beings devoted to the Wicked One, and, like him, workers of every species of iniquity with greediness."

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It is decreed in the councils above that they must both fall by your hand."

Chapter 14 of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a by James Hogg holds 131 sentences, grouped into 27 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 14 of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a contain?

Chapter 14 holds 131 sentences of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a, unabridged, divided into 27 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 14 of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a by James Hogg exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 131 sentences, grouped into 27 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 14 of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a?

Work through the 27 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 27 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 14 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 14 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 Private Memoirs and Confessions of a

Common questions about reading The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a by James Hogg on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a?

Yes. All 3111 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2276 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2276, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a take to read?

About 259 minutes of reading across 623 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a section by section

How to work through The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  2. Read one section

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  3. Listen and tap

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Vocabulary met early in The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Appears
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Tradition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Parish
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Registers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.