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The Seaboard Parish, Complete
The Seaboard Parish, Complete

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Seaboard Parish, Complete is here in full — 78 sentences across 16 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
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HOMILETIC.
Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.
And, indeed, I did not think you would want any more.
I thought I had bidden you farewell.
But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Seaboard Parish, Complete

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Seaboard Parish, Complete is here in full — 78 sentences across 16 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
HOMILETIC.
/ˌhɑːməˈletɪk/
Line 2
Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.
Line 3
And, indeed, I did not think you would want any more.
/ənd ˌɪnˈdiːd aɪ dɪd nɑːt θɪŋk juː wʊd wɑːnt ˈeni mɔːr/
Line 4
I thought I had bidden you farewell.
/aɪ θɔːt aɪ hæd ˈbɪdɪn juː ˌferˈwel/
Line 5
But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

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.

acoustic noun US /əˈkuːstɪk/

a remedy for hearing loss or deafness

From this reading “But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.”

bidden verb US /ˈbɪdɪn/

inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment

From this reading “I thought I had bidden you farewell.”

contrivance noun US /kənˈtraɪvəns/

a device or control that is very useful for a particular job

From this reading “But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.”

homiletic adjective US /ˌhɑːməˈletɪk/

of the nature of a homily or sermon

From this reading “HOMILETIC.”

multitudes noun US /ˈmʌltətjuːdz/

plural of “multitude” — a large indefinite number

From this reading “But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.”

oddities noun US /ˈɑːdətiz/

plural of “oddity” — eccentricity that is not easily explained

From this reading “Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.”

preach verb US /priːtʃ/

deliver a sermon

From this reading “Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.”

sermon noun US /ˈsɜːrmən/

an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)

From this reading “Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.”

All words in this reading · 95

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 Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

accustomedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌstəmd/

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

acousticnounUS /əˈkuːstɪk/

a remedy for hearing loss or deafness

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

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 Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

aloudadverbUS /əˈlaʊd/

using the voice; not silently

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/

exceptionally bad or displeasing

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

bearverbUS /ber/

have

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

biddenverbUS /ˈbɪdɪn/

inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment

From this reading I thought I had bidden you farewell.

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

cannot

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

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

contrivancenounUS /kənˈtraɪvəns/

a device or control that is very useful for a particular job

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

curiousadjectiveUS /ˈkjʊriəs/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

DearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading And, indeed, I did not think you would want any more.

farewellnounUS /ˌferˈwel/

an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting

From this reading I thought I had bidden you farewell.

feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

FriendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

habitnounUS /ˈhæbət/

an established custom

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

HOMILETICadjectiveUS /ˌhɑːməˈletɪk/

of the nature of a homily or sermon

From this reading HOMILETIC.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading And, indeed, I did not think you would want any more.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

leastadjectiveUS /liːst/

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

multitudesnounUS /ˈmʌltətjuːdz/

plural of “multitude” — a large indefinite number

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

odditiesnounUS /ˈɑːdətiz/

plural of “oddity” — eccentricity that is not easily explained

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

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

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

preachverbUS /priːtʃ/

deliver a sermon

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

sermonnounUS /ˈsɜːrmən/

an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

shapenounUS /ʃeɪp/

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

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

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/

the profession of a teacher

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading And, indeed, I did not think you would want any more.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading I thought I had bidden you farewell.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading And, indeed, I did not think you would want any more.

wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/

a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

writeverbUS /raɪt/

produce a literary work

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

writing-table

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

From this reading But I am seated once again at my writing-table, to write for you--with a strange feeling, however, that I am in the heart of some curious, rather awful acoustic contrivance, by means of which the words which I have a habit of whispering over to myself as I write them, are heard aloud by multitudes of people whom I cannot see or hear.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Dear Friends,--I am beginning a new book like an old sermon; but, as you know, I have been so accustomed to preach all my life, that whatever I say or write will more or less take the shape of a sermon; and if you had not by this time learned at least to bear with my oddities, you would not have wanted any more of my teaching.

Chapter 1 of The Seaboard Parish, Complete by George MacDonald holds 78 sentences, grouped into 16 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Seaboard Parish, Complete contain?

Chapter 1 holds 78 sentences of The Seaboard Parish, Complete, unabridged, divided into 16 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Seaboard Parish, Complete by George MacDonald exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 78 sentences, grouped into 16 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Seaboard Parish, Complete?

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

Each of the 16 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Seaboard Parish, Complete

Common questions about reading The Seaboard Parish, Complete by George MacDonald on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Seaboard Parish, Complete?

Yes. All 8940 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #8562 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Seaboard Parish, Complete is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #8562, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Seaboard Parish, Complete take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1788 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Seaboard Parish, Complete section by section

How to work through The Seaboard Parish, Complete section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Seaboard Parish, Complete 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 Seaboard Parish, Complete

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Seaboard Parish, Complete, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Homiletic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Seaboard Parish, Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Friends
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Seaboard Parish, Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Beginning
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Seaboard Parish, Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sermon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Seaboard Parish, Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.