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An Historical Mystery (The Gondreville Mystery)
An Historical Mystery (The Gondreville Mystery)

Chapter XVII · The Trial

Cover illustration for An Historical Mystery (The Gondreville Mystery)
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.
Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.
Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.
At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.
To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.
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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.

An Historical Mystery (The Gondreville Mystery)

Chapter XVII · The Trial

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.
Line 2
Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.
Line 3
Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.
Line 4
At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.
Line 5
To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.”

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.”

All words in this reading · 95

Every word is available to listen to. 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 At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

accompany

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

action

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.

always

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

arm-chairs

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

arrangement

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

baize

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

barrenness

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

chairs

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

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

close

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

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

commonest

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

courtrooms

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

covering

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

decoration

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

derives

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

desk

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

dignity

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

earth

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

end

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

engine

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

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

Everywhere

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

farther

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

few

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

filled

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

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

France

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

greatest

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

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.

green

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

judges

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

jury

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

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

Law

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

law's

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

lessens

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

localities

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

matter

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

meanness

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

mighty

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

monuments

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

most

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

nation

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

oblong

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

ornate

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

outward

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

Paris

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

pen

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

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

platform

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

power

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

prosecutor

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

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

public

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

raised

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

religion

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

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.

room

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

royalty

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

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.

seat

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

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

seen

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

showy

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

sit

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

society

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

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.

some

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

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

surely

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

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.

surroundings

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

There

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

wall

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

From this reading To the left, is the seat of the public prosecutor, and beside him, close to the wall, is a long pen filled with chairs for the jury.

want

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading There are but few localities in France where Law derives from outward appearance the dignity which ought always to accompany it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading At the farther end of some oblong room may be seen a desk with a green baize covering raised on a platform; behind it sit the judges on the commonest of arm-chairs.

wretched

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

From this reading Everywhere, even in Paris, the meanness of its surroundings, the wretched arrangement of the courtrooms, their barrenness and want of decoration in the most ornate and showy nation upon earth in the matter of its public monuments, lessens the action of the law’s mighty power.

YetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet it surely is, after religion and royalty, the greatest engine of society.