Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 is here in full — 72 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07
Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.
Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.
The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.
The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.
It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.
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 Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 is here in full — 72 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.
Line 2
Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.
/ˈæksədənt ˌɪnˈdiːd ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd ənd nɑːt aɪ bʌt aɪ hæv siːn noʊ ˈriːzən tuː rəˈɡret maɪ ˈvɪzɪt/
Line 3
The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.
Line 4
The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.
Line 5
It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

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.

abuses noun US /əˈbjuːsɪz/

plural of “abuse” — cruel or inhumane treatment

From this reading “The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.”

diverting adjective US /daɪˈvɜːrtɪŋ/

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading “The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.”

instructive adjective US /ˌɪnˈstrʌktɪv/

serving to instruct or enlighten or inform

From this reading “The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.”

questionable adjective US /ˈkwestʃənəbəl/

subject to question

From this reading “The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.”

reigning adjective US /ˈreɪnɪŋ/

exercising power or authority

From this reading “The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.”

role noun US /roʊl/

the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group

From this reading “It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.”

scintilla noun US /sɪnˈtɪlə/

a tiny or scarcely detectable amount

From this reading “The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.”

unheeded adjective US /ənˈhiːdɪd/

disregarded

From this reading “It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.”

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.

reigning Prince adjective + noun

In this reading “The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.”

young man adjective + noun

a teenager or a young adult male

In this reading “The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.”

with difficulty preposition + noun

In this reading “It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.”

All words in this reading · 104

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 "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/

not being in a specified place

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

abusesnounUS /əˈbjuːsɪz/

plural of “abuse” — cruel or inhumane treatment

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

AccidentnounUS /ˈæksədənt/

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

amours

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

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

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

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

BEINGauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/

capability to perform or produce

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

chapternounUS /ˈtʃæptər/

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

chosennounUS /ˈtʃoʊzən/

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

cloaknounUS /kloʊk/

anything that covers or conceals

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

contemptnounUS /kənˈtempt/

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

corruptverbUS /kərˈʌpt/

corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

COURTnounUS /kɔːrt/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/

recognizable; marked

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

difficultynounUS /ˈdɪfəkəlti/

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

divertingadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrtɪŋ/

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

dulladjectiveUS /dʌl/

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

educationnounUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃən/

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

entireadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtaɪər/

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

equallyadverbUS /ˈiːkwəli/

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

exceedinglyadverbUS /ɪkˈsiːdɪŋli/

to an extreme degree

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

formaladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrməl/

being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

frequentlyadverbUS /ˈfriːkwəntli/

many times at short intervals

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

Friedrich

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

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

GRUeNEWALD

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

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

imperfectadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrfɪkt/

not perfect; defective or inadequate

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

instructiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktɪv/

serving to instruct or enlighten or inform

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

interviewverbUS /ˈɪntərvjuː/

conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

Johann

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

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

macerating

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

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

MANUSCRIPTnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/

A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

nineteenthadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪnˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the eighteenth in position

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

obtainedverbUS /əbˈteɪnd/

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

Otto

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

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

pettyadjectiveUS /ˈpetiː/

inferior in rank or status

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

PORTIONnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃən/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

PrincenounUS /prɪns/

a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

questionableadjectiveUS /ˈkwestʃənəbəl/

subject to question

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

regretverbUS /rəˈɡret/

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

reigningadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/

exercising power or authority

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

rolenounUS /roʊl/

the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

scintillanounUS /sɪnˈtɪlə/

a tiny or scarcely detectable amount

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/

something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

statesnounUS /steɪts/

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading The spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

thusadverbUS /ðʌs/

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

travellernounUS /ˈtrævələr/

a person who changes location

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

TRAVELLER'S

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

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

unheededadjectiveUS /ənˈhiːdɪd/

disregarded

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

valournoun

the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading Accident, indeed, decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

whynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "ON THE COURT OF GRUeNEWALD," BEING A PORTION OF THE TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Gruenewald out of so many other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt.

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was with difficulty that I obtained an interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is unheeded, and where his only role is to be a cloak for the amours of his wife.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen into entire public contempt.

Chapter 7 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 72 sentences, grouped into 15 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 7 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 contain?

Chapter 7 holds 72 sentences of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07, unabridged, divided into 15 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 72 sentences, grouped into 15 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 7 of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07?

Work through the 15 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 15 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 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 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 Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07

Common questions about reading The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07?

Yes. All 7313 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #30807 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #30807, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1463 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 section by section

How to work through The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 37 chapters of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07 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 Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Swanston
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Edition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Twenty-five
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Volumes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson — Vol. 07; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.