第2章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Mudfog and Other Sketches",免费读到尾

  ’Timehavingbeenallowedforaslightconfusion,occasionedbythefallingdownofthegreaterpartoftheplatforms,tosubside,thepresidentcalledononeofthesecretariestoreadacommunicationentitled,\"Someremarksontheindustriousfleas,withconsiderationsontheimportanceofestablishinginfant—schoolsamongthatnumerousclassofsociety;ofdirectingtheirindustrytousefulandpracticalends;andofapplyingthesurplusfruitsthereof,towardsprovidingforthemacomfortableandrespectablemaintenanceintheiroldage。\"

  ’Theauthorstated,that,havinglongturnedhisattentiontothemoralandsocialconditionoftheseinterestinganimals,hehadbeeninducedtovisitanexhibitioninRegent—street,London,commonlyknownbythedesignationof\"TheIndustriousFleas。\"Hehadthereseenmanyfleas,occupiedcertainlyinvariouspursuitsandavocations,butoccupied,hewasboundtoadd,inamannerwhichnomanofwell—regulatedmindcouldfailtoregardwithsorrowandregret。Oneflea,reducedtothelevelofabeastofburden,wasdrawingaboutaminiaturegig,containingaparticularlysmalleffigyofHisGracetheDukeofWellington;

  whileanotherwasstaggeringbeneaththeweightofagoldenmodelofhisgreatadversaryNapoleonBonaparte。Some,broughtupasmountebanksandballet—dancers,wereperformingafigure—dance(heregrettedtoobserve,that,ofthefleassoemployed,severalwerefemales);otherswereintraining,inasmallcard—boardbox,forpedestrians,—meresportingcharacters—andtwowereactuallyengagedinthecold—bloodedandbarbarousoccupationofduelling;apursuitfromwhichhumanityrecoiledwithhorroranddisgust。Hesuggestedthatmeasuresshouldbeimmediatelytakentoemploythelabourofthesefleasaspartandparceloftheproductivepowerofthecountry,whichmighteasilybedonebytheestablishmentamongthemofinfantschoolsandhousesofindustry,inwhichasystemofvirtuouseducation,baseduponsoundprinciples,shouldbeobserved,andmoralpreceptsstrictlyinculcated。Heproposedthateveryfleawhopresumedtoexhibit,forhire,music,ordancing,oranyspeciesoftheatricalentertainment,withoutalicence,shouldbeconsideredavagabond,andtreatedaccordingly;inwhichrespectheonlyplacedhimuponalevelwiththerestofmankind。Hewouldfurthersuggestthattheirlabourshouldbeplacedunderthecontrolandregulationofthestate,whoshouldsetapartfromtheprofits,afundforthesupportofsuperannuatedordisabledfleas,theirwidowsandorphans。Withthisview,heproposedthatliberalpremiumsshouldbeofferedforthethreebestdesignsforageneralalmshouse;fromwhich—asinsectarchitecturewaswellknowntobeinaveryadvancedandperfectstate—wemightpossiblyderivemanyvaluablehintsfortheimprovementofourmetropolitanuniversities,nationalgalleries,andotherpublicedifices。

  ’THEPRESIDENTwishedtobeinformedhowtheingeniousgentlemanproposedtoopenacommunicationwithfleasgenerally,inthefirstinstance,sothattheymightbethoroughlyimbuedwithasenseoftheadvantagestheymustnecessarilyderivefromchangingtheirmodeoflife,andapplyingthemselvestohonestlabour。Thisappearedtohim,theonlydifficulty。

  ’THEAUTHORsubmittedthatthisdifficultywaseasilyovercome,orratherthattherewasnodifficultyatallinthecase。Obviouslythecoursetobepursued,ifHerMajesty’sgovernmentcouldbeprevailedupontotakeuptheplan,wouldbe,tosecureataremunerativesalarytheindividualtowhomhehadalludedaspresidingovertheexhibitioninRegent—streetattheperiodofhisvisit。Thatgentlemanwouldatoncebeabletoputhimselfincommunicationwiththemassofthefleas,andtoinstructtheminpursuanceofsomegeneralplanofeducation,tobesanctionedbyParliament,untilsuchtimeasthemoreintelligentamongthemwereadvancedenoughtoofficiateasteacherstotherest。

  ’ThePresidentandseveralmembersofthesectionhighlycomplimentedtheauthorofthepaperlastread,onhismostingeniousandimportanttreatise。Itwasdeterminedthatthesubjectshouldberecommendedtotheimmediateconsiderationofthecouncil。

  ’MR。WIGSBYproducedacauliflowersomewhatlargerthanachaise—

  umbrella,whichhadbeenraisedbynootherartificialmeansthanthesimpleapplicationofhighlycarbonatedsoda—waterasmanure。

  Heexplainedthatbyscoopingoutthehead,whichwouldaffordanewanddeliciousspeciesofnourishmentforthepoor,aparachute,inprinciplesomethingsimilartothatconstructedbyM。Garnerin,wasatonceobtained;thestalkofcoursebeingkeptdownwards。Headdedthathewasperfectlywillingtomakeadescentfromaheightofnotlessthanthreemilesandaquarter;andhadinfactalreadyproposedthesametotheproprietorsofVauxhallGardens,whointhehandsomestmanneratonceconsentedtohiswishes,andappointedanearlydaynextsummerfortheundertaking;merelystipulatingthattherimofthecauliflowershouldbepreviouslybrokeninthreeorfourplacestoensurethesafetyofthedescent。

  ’THEPRESIDENTcongratulatedthepublicontheGRANDGALAinstoreforthem,andwarmlyeulogisedtheproprietorsoftheestablishmentalludedto,fortheirloveofscience,andregardforthesafetyofhumanlife,bothofwhichdidthemthehighesthonour。

  ’AMemberwishedtoknowhowmanythousandadditionallampstheroyalpropertywouldbeilluminatedwith,onthenightafterthedescent。

  ’MR。WIGSBYrepliedthatthepointwasnotyetfinallydecided;buthebelieveditwasproposed,overandabovetheordinaryilluminations,toexhibitinvariousdeviceseightmillionsanda—

  halfofadditionallamps。

  ’TheMemberexpressedhimselfmuchgratifiedwiththisannouncement。

  ’MR。BLUNDERUMdelightedthesectionwithamostinterestingandvaluablepaper\"onthelastmomentsofthelearnedpig,\"whichproducedaverystrongimpressionontheassembly,theaccountbeingcompiledfromthepersonalrecollectionsofhisfavouriteattendant。Theaccountstatedinthemostemphatictermsthattheanimal’snamewasnotToby,butSolomon;anddistinctlyprovedthathecouldhavenonearrelativesintheprofession,asmanydesigningpersonshadfalselystated,inasmuchashisfather,mother,brothersandsisters,hadallfallenvictimstothebutcheratdifferenttimes。Anuncleofhisindeed,hadwithverygreatlabourbeentracedtoastyinSomersTown;butashewasinaveryinfirmstateatthetime,beingafflictedwithmeasles,andshortlyafterwardsdisappeared,thereappearedtoomuchreasontoconjecturethathehadbeenconvertedintosausages。Thedisorderofthelearnedpigwasoriginallyaseverecold,which,beingaggravatedbyexcessivetroughindulgence,finallysettleduponthelungs,andterminatedinageneraldecayoftheconstitution。A

  melancholyinstanceofapresentimententertainedbytheanimalofhisapproachingdissolution,wasrecorded。Aftergratifyinganumerousandfashionablecompanywithhisperformances,inwhichnofallingoffwhateverwasvisible,hefixedhiseyesonthebiographer,and,turningtothewatchwhichlayonthefloor,andonwhichhewasaccustomedtopointoutthehour,deliberatelypassedhissnouttwiceroundthedial。Inpreciselyfour—and—

  twentyhoursfromthattimehehadceasedtoexist!

  ’PROFESSORWHEEZYinquiredwhether,previoustohisdemise,theanimalhadexpressed,bysignsorotherwise,anywishesregardingthedisposalofhislittleproperty。

  ’MR。BLUNDERUMreplied,that,whenthebiographertookupthepackofcardsattheconclusionoftheperformance,theanimalgruntedseveraltimesinasignificantmanner,andnoddinghisheadashewasaccustomedtodo,whengratified。Fromthesegesturesitwasunderstoodthathewishedtheattendanttokeepthecards,whichhehadeversincedone。Hehadnotexpressedanywishrelativetohiswatch,whichhadaccordinglybeenpawnedbythesameindividual。

  ’THEPRESIDENTwishedtoknowwhetheranyMemberofthesectionhadeverseenorconversedwiththepig—facedlady,whowasreportedtohavewornablackvelvetmask,andtohavetakenhermealsfromagoldentrough。

  ’AftersomehesitationaMemberrepliedthatthepig—facedladywashismother—in—law,andthathetrustedthePresidentwouldnotviolatethesanctityofprivatelife。

  ’THEPRESIDENTbeggedpardon。Hehadconsideredthepig—facedladyapubliccharacter。Wouldthehonourablememberobjecttostate,withaviewtotheadvancementofscience,whethershewasinanywayconnectedwiththelearnedpig?

  ’TheMemberrepliedinthesamelowtone,that,asthequestionappearedtoinvolveasuspicionthatthelearnedpigmightbehishalf—brother,hemustdeclineansweringit。

  ’SECTIONB。—ANATOMYANDMEDICINE。

  COACH—HOUSE,PIGANDTINDER—BOX。

  PRESIDENT—Dr。Toorell。VICE—PRESIDENTS—ProfessorsMuffandNogo。

  DR。KUTANKUMAGEN(ofMoscow)readtothesectionareportofacasewhichhadoccurredwithinhisownpractice,strikinglyillustrativeofthepowerofmedicine,asexemplifiedinhissuccessfultreatmentofavirulentdisorder。Hehadbeencalledintovisitthepatientonthe1stofApril,1837。Hewasthenlabouringundersymptomspeculiarlyalarmingtoanymedicalman。Hisframewasstoutandmuscular,hisstepfirmandelastic,hischeeksplumpandred,hisvoiceloud,hisappetitegood,hispulsefullandround。

  HewasintheconstanthabitofeatingthreemealsPERDIEM,andofdrinkingatleastonebottleofwine,andoneglassofspirituousliquorsdilutedwithwater,inthecourseofthefour—and—twentyhours。Helaughedconstantly,andinsoheartyamannerthatitwasterribletohearhim。Bydintofpowerfulmedicine,lowdiet,andbleeding,thesymptomsinthecourseofthreedaysperceptiblydecreased。Arigidperseveranceinthesamecourseoftreatmentforonlyoneweek,accompaniedwithsmalldosesofwater—gruel,weakbroth,andbarley—water,ledtotheirentiredisappearance。

  Inthecourseofamonthhewassufficientlyrecoveredtobecarrieddown—stairsbytwonurses,andtoenjoyanairinginaclosecarriage,supportedbysoftpillows。Atthepresentmomenthewasrestoredsofarastowalkabout,withtheslightassistanceofacrutchandaboy。Itwouldperhapsbegratifyingtothesectiontolearnthatheatelittle,dranklittle,sleptlittle,andwasneverheardtolaughbyanyaccidentwhatever。

  ’DR。W。R。FEE,incomplimentingthehonourablememberuponthetriumphantcurehehadeffected,beggedtoaskwhetherthepatientstillbledfreely?

  ’DR。KUTANKUMAGENrepliedintheaffirmative。

  ’DR。W。R。FEE。—Andyoufoundthathebledfreelyduringthewholecourseofthedisorder?

  ’DR。KUTANKUMAGEN。—Ohdear,yes;mostfreely。

  ’DR。NEESHAWTSsupposed,thatifthepatienthadnotsubmittedtobebledwithgreatreadinessandperseverance,soextraordinaryacurecouldnever,infact,havebeenaccomplished。Dr。

  Kutankumagenrejoined,certainlynot。

  ’MR。KNIGHTBELL(M。R。C。S。)exhibitedawaxpreparationoftheinteriorofagentlemanwhoinearlylifehadinadvertentlyswallowedadoor—key。Itwasacuriousfactthatamedicalstudentofdissipatedhabits,beingpresentatthePOSTMORTEMexamination,foundmeanstoescapeunobservedfromtheroom,withthatportionofthecoatsofthestomachuponwhichanexactmodeloftheinstrumentwasdistinctlyimpressed,withwhichhehastenedtoalocksmithofdoubtfulcharacter,whomadeanewkeyfromthepatternsoshowntohim。Withthiskeythemedicalstudententeredthehouseofthedeceasedgentleman,andcommittedaburglarytoalargeamount,forwhichhewassubsequentlytriedandexecuted。

  ’THEPRESIDENTwishedtoknowwhatbecameoftheoriginalkeyafterthelapseofyears。Mr。KnightBellrepliedthatthegentlemanwasalwaysmuchaccustomedtopunch,anditwassupposedtheacidhadgraduallydevouredit。

  ’DR。NEESHAWTSandseveralofthememberswereofopinionthatthekeymusthavelainverycoldandheavyuponthegentleman’sstomach。

  ’MR。KNIGHTBELLbelieveditdidatfirst。Itwasworthyofremark,perhaps,thatforsomeyearsthegentlemanwastroubledwithanight—mare,undertheinfluenceofwhichhealwaysimaginedhimselfawine—cellardoor。

  ’PROFESSORMUFFrelatedaveryextraordinaryandconvincingproofofthewonderfulefficacyofthesystemofinfinitesimaldoses,whichthesectionweredoubtlessawarewasbaseduponthetheorythattheveryminutestamountofanygivendrug,properlydispersedthroughthehumanframe,wouldbeproductiveofpreciselythesameresultasaverylargedoseadministeredintheusualmanner。

  Thus,thefortiethpartofagrainofcalomelwassupposedtobeequaltoafive—graincalomelpill,andsooninproportionthroughoutthewholerangeofmedicine。Hehadtriedtheexperimentinacuriousmanneruponapublicanwhohadbeenbroughtintothehospitalwithabrokenhead,andwascuredupontheinfinitesimalsystemintheincrediblyshortspaceofthreemonths。

  Thismanwasaharddrinker。He(ProfessorMuff)haddispersedthreedropsofrumthroughabucketofwater,andrequestedthemantodrinkthewhole。Whatwastheresult?Beforehehaddrunkaquart,hewasinastateofbeastlyintoxication;andfiveothermenweremadedeaddrunkwiththeremainder。

  ’THEPRESIDENTwishedtoknowwhetheraninfinitesimaldoseofsoda—waterwouldhaverecoveredthem?ProfessorMuffrepliedthatthetwenty—fifthpartofateaspoonful,properlyadministeredtoeachpatient,wouldhavesoberedhimimmediately。ThePresidentremarkedthatthiswasamostimportantdiscovery,andhehopedtheLordMayorandCourtofAldermenwouldpatronizeitimmediately。

  ’AMemberbeggedtobeinformedwhetheritwouldbepossibletoadminister—say,thetwentiethpartofagrainofbreadandcheesetoallgrown—uppaupers,andthefortiethparttochildren,withthesamesatisfyingeffectastheirpresentallowance。

  ’PROFESSORMUFFwaswillingtostakehisprofessionalreputationontheperfectadequacyofsuchaquantityoffoodtothesupportofhumanlife—inworkhouses;theadditionofthefifteenthpartofagrainofpuddingtwiceaweekwouldrenderitahighdiet。

  ’PROFESSORNOGOcalledtheattentionofthesectiontoaveryextraordinarycaseofanimalmagnetism。Aprivatewatchman,beingmerelylookedatbytheoperatorfromtheoppositesideofawidestreet,wasatonceobservedtobeinaverydrowsyandlanguidstate。Hewasfollowedtohisbox,andbeingonceslightlyrubbedonthepalmsofthehands,fellintoasoundsleep,inwhichhecontinuedwithoutintermissionfortenhours。

  ’SECTIONC。—STATISTICS。

  HAY—LOFT,ORIGINALPIG。

  PRESIDENT—Mr。Woodensconce。VICE—PRESIDENTS—Mr。LedbrainandMr。Timbered。

  ’MR。SLUGstatedtothesectiontheresultofsomecalculationshehadmadewithgreatdifficultyandlabour,regardingthestateofinfanteducationamongthemiddleclassesofLondon。Hefoundthat,withinacircleofthreemilesfromtheElephantandCastle,thefollowingwerethenamesandnumbersofchildren’sbooksprincipallyincirculation:—

  ’JacktheGiant—killer7,943

  DittoandBean—stalk8,621

  DittoandElevenBrothers2,845

  DittoandJill1,998

  Total21,407

  ’HefoundthattheproportionofRobinsonCrusoestoPhilipQuarllswasasfourandahalftoone;andthatthepreponderanceofValentineandOrsonsoverGoodyTwoShoeseswasasthreeandaneighthoftheformertohalfaoneofthelatter;acomparisonofSevenChampionswithSimpleSimonsgavethesameresult。Theignorancethatprevailed,waslamentable。Onechild,onbeingaskedwhetherhewouldratherbeSaintGeorgeofEnglandorarespectabletallow—chandler,instantlyreplied,\"TaintGeorgeofIngling。\"Another,alittleboyofeightyearsold,wasfoundtobefirmlyimpressedwithabeliefintheexistenceofdragons,andopenlystatedthatitwashisintentionwhenhegrewup,torushforthswordinhandforthedeliveranceofcaptiveprincesses,andthepromiscuousslaughterofgiants。NotonechildamongthenumberinterrogatedhadeverheardofMungoPark,—someinquiringwhetherhewasatallconnectedwiththeblackmanthatsweptthecrossing;andotherswhetherhewasinanywayrelatedtotheRegent’sPark。Theyhadnottheslightestconceptionofthecommonestprinciplesofmathematics,andconsideredSindbadtheSailorthemostenterprisingvoyagerthattheworldhadeverproduced。

  ’AMemberstronglydeprecatingtheuseofalltheotherbooksmentioned,suggestedthatJackandJillmightperhapsbeexemptedfromthegeneralcensure,inasmuchastheheroandheroine,intheveryoutsetofthetale,weredepictedasgoingUPahilltofetchapailofwater,whichwasalaboriousandusefuloccupation,—

  supposingthefamilylinenwasbeingwashed,forinstance。

  ’MR。SLUGfearedthatthemoraleffectofthispassagewasmorethancounterbalancedbyanotherinasubsequentpartofthepoem,inwhichverygrossallusionwasmadetothemodeinwhichtheheroinewaspersonallychastisedbyhermother\"’ForlaughingatJack’sdisaster;\"

  besides,thewholeworkhadthisonegreatfault,ITWASNOTTRUE。

  ’THEPRESIDENTcomplimentedthehonourablememberontheexcellentdistinctionhehaddrawn。SeveralotherMembers,too,dweltupontheimmenseandurgentnecessityofstoringthemindsofchildrenwithnothingbutfactsandfigures;whichprocessthePresidentveryforciblyremarked,hadmadethem(thesection)thementheywere。

  ’MR。SLUGthenstatedsomecuriouscalculationsrespectingthedogs’—meatbarrowsofLondon。Hefoundthatthetotalnumberofsmallcartsandbarrowsengagedindispensingprovisiontothecatsanddogsofthemetropoliswas,onethousandsevenhundredandforty—three。Theaveragenumberofskewersdelivereddailywiththeprovender,byeachdogs’—meatcartorbarrow,wasthirty—six。

  Now,multiplyingthenumberofskewerssodeliveredbythenumberofbarrows,atotalofsixty—twothousandsevenhundredandforty—

  eightskewersdailywouldbeobtained。Allowingthat,ofthesesixty—twothousandsevenhundredandforty—eightskewers,theoddtwothousandsevenhundredandforty—eightwereaccidentallydevouredwiththemeat,bythemostvoraciousoftheanimalssupplied,itfollowedthatsixtythousandskewersperday,ortheenormousnumberoftwenty—onemillionsninehundredthousandskewersannually,werewastedinthekennelsanddustholesofLondon;which,ifcollectedandwarehoused,wouldintenyears’

  timeaffordamassoftimbermorethansufficientfortheconstructionofafirst—ratevesselofwarfortheuseofherMajesty’snavy,tobecalled\"TheRoyalSkewer,\"andtobecomeunderthatnametheterrorofalltheenemiesofthisisland。

  ’MR。X。LEDBRAINreadaveryingeniouscommunication,fromwhichitappearedthatthetotalnumberoflegsbelongingtothemanufacturingpopulationofonegreattowninYorkshirewas,inroundnumbers,fortythousand,whilethetotalnumberofchairandstoollegsintheirhouseswasonlythirtythousand,which,upontheveryfavourableaverageofthreelegstoaseat,yieldedonlytenthousandseatsinall。Fromthiscalculationitwouldappear,—nottakingwoodenorcorklegsintotheaccount,butallowingtwolegstoeveryperson,—thattenthousandindividuals(one—halfofthewholepopulation)wereeitherdestituteofanyrestfortheirlegsatall,orpassedthewholeoftheirleisuretimeinsittinguponboxes。

  ’SECTIOND。—MECHANICALSCIENCE。

  COACH—HOUSE,ORIGINALPIG。

  PRESIDENT—Mr。Carter。VICE—PRESIDENTS—Mr。TruckandMr。

  Waghorn。

  ’PROFESSORQUEERSPECKexhibitedanelegantmodelofaportablerailway,neatlymountedinagreencase,forthewaistcoatpocket。

  Byattachingthisbeautifulinstrumenttohisboots,anyBankorpublic—officeclerkcouldtransporthimselffromhisplaceofresidencetohisplaceofbusiness,attheeasyrateofsixty—fivemilesanhour,which,togentlemenofsedentarypursuits,wouldbeanincalculableadvantage。

  ’THEPRESIDENTwasdesirousofknowingwhetheritwasnecessarytohavealevelsurfaceonwhichthegentlemanwastorun。

  ’PROFESSORQUEERSPECKexplainedthatCitygentlemenwouldrunintrains,beinghandcuffedtogethertopreventconfusionorunpleasantness。Forinstance,trainswouldstarteverymorningateight,nine,andteno’clock,fromCamdenTown,Islington,Camberwell,Hackney,andvariousotherplacesinwhichCitygentlemenareaccustomedtoreside。Itwouldbenecessarytohavealevel,buthehadprovidedforthisdifficultybyproposingthatthebestlinethatthecircumstanceswouldadmitof,shouldbetakenthroughthesewerswhichunderminethestreetsofthemetropolis,andwhich,welllightedbyjetsfromthegaspipeswhichrunimmediatelyabovethem,wouldformapleasantandcommodiousarcade,especiallyinwinter—time,whentheinconvenientcustomofcarryingumbrellas,nowsogeneral,couldbewhollydispensedwith。Inreplytoanotherquestion,ProfessorQueerspeckstatedthatnosubstituteforthepurposestowhichthesearcadeswereatpresentdevotedhadyetoccurredtohim,butthathehopednofancifulobjectiononthisheadwouldbeallowedtointerferewithsogreatanundertaking。

  ’MR。JOBBAproducedaforcing—machineonanovelplan,forbringingjoint—stockrailwaysharesprematurelytoapremium。Theinstrumentwasintheformofanelegantgiltweather—glass,ofmostdazzlingappearance,andwasworkedbehind,bystrings,afterthemannerofapantomimetrick,thestringsbeingalwayspulledbythedirectorsofthecompanytowhichthemachinebelonged。Thequicksilverwassoingeniouslyplaced,thatwhentheactingdirectorsheldsharesintheirpockets,figuresdenotingverysmallexpensesandverylargereturnsappearedupontheglass;butthemomentthedirectorspartedwiththesepiecesofpaper,theestimateofneedfulexpendituresuddenlyincreaseditselftoanimmenseextent,whilethestatementsofcertainprofitsbecamereducedinthesameproportion。Mr。Jobbastatedthatthemachinehadbeeninconstantrequisitionforsomemonthspast,andhehadneveronceknownittofail。

  ’AMemberexpressedhisopinionthatitwasextremelyneatandpretty。Hewishedtoknowwhetheritwasnotliabletoaccidentalderangement?Mr。Jobbasaidthatthewholemachinewasundoubtedlyliabletobeblownup,butthatwastheonlyobjectiontoit。

  ’PROFESSORNOGOarrivedfromtheanatomicalsectiontoexhibitamodelofasafetyfire—escape,whichcouldbefixedatanytime,inlessthanhalfanhour,andbymeansofwhich,theyoungestormostinfirmpersons(successfullyresistingtheprogressoftheflamesuntilitwasquiteready)couldbepreservediftheymerelybalancedthemselvesforafewminutesonthesilloftheirbedroomwindow,andgotintotheescapewithoutfallingintothestreet。

  TheProfessorstatedthatthenumberofboyswhohadbeenrescuedinthedaytimebythismachinefromhouseswhichwerenotonfire,wasalmostincredible。NotaconflagrationhadoccurredinthewholeofLondonformanymonthspasttowhichtheescapehadnotbeencarriedontheverynextday,andputinactionbeforeaconcourseofpersons。

  ’THEPRESIDENTinquiredwhethertherewasnotsomedifficultyinascertainingwhichwasthetopofthemachine,andwhichthebottom,incasesofpressingemergency。

  ’PROFESSORNOGOexplainedthatofcourseitcouldnotbeexpectedtoactquiteaswellwhentherewasafire,aswhentherewasnotafire;butintheformercasehethoughtitwouldbeofequalservicewhetherthetopwereupordown。’

  WiththelastsectionourcorrespondentconcludeshismostableandfaithfulReport,whichwillneverceasetoreflectcredituponhimforhisscientificattainments,anduponusforourenterprisingspirit。Itisneedlesstotakeareviewofthesubjectswhichhavebeendiscussed;ofthemodeinwhichtheyhavebeenexamined;ofthegreattruthswhichtheyhaveelicited。Theyarenowbeforetheworld,andweleavethemtoread,toconsider,andtoprofit。

  Theplaceofmeetingfornextyearhasundergonediscussion,andhasatlengthbeendecided,regardbeinghadto,andevidencebeingtakenupon,thegoodnessofitswines,thesupplyofitsmarkets,thehospitalityofitsinhabitants,andthequalityofitshotels。

  Wehopeatthisnextmeetingourcorrespondentmayagainbepresent,andthatwemaybeoncemorethemeansofplacinghiscommunicationsbeforetheworld。UntilthatperiodwehavebeenprevailedupontoallowthisnumberofourMiscellanytoberetailedtothepublic,orwholesaledtothetrade,withoutanyadvanceuponourusualprice。

  Wehaveonlytoadd,thatthecommitteesarenowbrokenup,andthatMudfogisonceagainrestoredtoitsaccustomedtranquillity,—thatProfessorsandMembershavehadballs,andSOIREES,andsuppers,andgreatmutualcomplimentations,andhaveatlengthdispersedtotheirseveralhomes,—whitherallgoodwishesandjoysattendthem,untilnextyear!

  SignedBOZ。

  FULLREPORTOFTHESECONDMEETINGOFTHEMUDFOGASSOCIATIONFORTHE

  ADVANCEMENTOFEVERYTHING

  InOctoberlast,wedidourselvestheimmortalcreditofrecording,atanenormousexpense,andbydintofexertionsunnpralleledinthehistoryofperiodicalpublication,theproceedingsoftheMudfogAssociationfortheAdvancementofEverything,whichinthatmonthhelditsfirstgreathalf—yearlymeeting,tothewonderanddelightofthewholeempire。WeannouncedattheconclusionofthatextraordinaryandmostremarkableReport,thatwhentheSecondMeetingoftheSocietyshouldtakeplace,weshouldbefoundagainatourpost,renewingourgiganticandspiritedendeavours,andoncemoremakingtheworldringwiththeaccuracy,authenticity,immeasurablesuperiority,andintenseremarkabilityofouraccountofitsproceedings。Inredemptionofthispledge,wecausedtobedespatchedpersteamtoOldcastle(atwhichplacethissecondmeetingoftheSocietywasheldonthe20thinstant),thesamesuperhumanly—endowedgentlemanwhofurnishedtheformerreport,andwho,—giftedbynaturewithtranscendentabilities,andfurnishedbyuswithabodyofassistantsscarcelyinferiortohimself,—hasforwardedaseriesofletters,which,forfaithfulnessofdescription,poweroflanguage,fervourofthought,happinessofexpression,andimportanceofsubject—matter,havenoequalintheepistolaryliteratureofanyageorcountry。Wegivethisgentleman’scorrespondenceentire,andintheorderinwhichitreachedouroffice。

  ’SALOONOFSTEAMER,THURSDAYNIGHT,HALF—PASTEIGHT。

  ’WhenIleftNewBurlingtonStreetthiseveninginthehackneycabriolet,numberfourthousandtwohundredandeighty—five,I

  experiencedsensationsasnovelastheywereoppressive。AsenseoftheimportanceofthetaskIhadundertaken,aconsciousnessthatIwasleavingLondon,and,strangerstill,goingsomewhereelse,afeelingoflonelinessandasensationofjolting,quitebewilderedmythoughts,andforatimerenderedmeeveninsensibletothepresenceofmycarpet—bagandhat—box。IshalleverfeelgratefultothedriverofaBlackwallomnibuswho,bythrustingthepoleofhisvehiclethroughthesmalldoorofthecabriolet,awakenedmefromatumultofimaginingsthatarewhollyindescribable。Butofsuchmaterialsisourimperfectnaturecomposed!

  ’IamhappytosaythatIamthefirstpassengeronboard,andshallthusbeenabledtogiveyouanaccountofallthathappensintheorderofitsoccurrence。Thechimneyissmokingagooddeal,andsoarethecrew;andthecaptain,Iaminformed,isverydrunkinalittlehouseupondeck,somethinglikeablackturnpike。I

  shouldinferfromallIhearthathehasgotthesteamup。

  ’YouwillreadilyguesswithwhatfeelingsIhavejustmadethediscoverythatmyberthisinthesameclosetwiththoseengagedbyProfessorWoodensconce,Mr。Slug,andProfessorGrime。ProfessorWoodensconcehastakentheshelfaboveme,andMr。SlugandProfessorGrimethetwoshelvesopposite。Theirluggagehasalreadyarrived。OnMr。Slug’sbedisalongtintubeofaboutthreeinchesindiameter,carefullyclosedatbothends。Whatcanthiscontain?Somepowerfulinstrumentofanewconstruction,doubtless。’

  ’TENMINUTESPASTNINE。

  ’Nobodyhasyetarrived,norhasanythingfreshcomeinmywayexceptseveraljointsofbeefandmutton,fromwhichIconcludethatagoodplaindinnerhasbeenprovidedforto—morrow。Thereisasingularsmellbelow,whichgavemesomeuneasinessatfirst;butasthestewardsaysitisalwaysthere,andnevergoesaway,Iamquitecomfortableagain。IlearnfromthismanthatthedifferentsectionswillbedistributedattheBlackBoyandStomach—ache,andtheBoot—jackandCountenance。Ifthisintelligencebetrue(andI

  havenoreasontodoubtit),yourreaderswilldrawsuchconclusionsastheirdifferentopinionsmaysuggest。

  ’Iwritedowntheseremarksastheyoccurtome,orasthefactscometomyknowledge,inorderthatmyfirstimpressionsmaylosenothingoftheiroriginalvividness。Ishalldespatchtheminsmallpacketsasopportunitiesarise。’

  ’HALFPASTNINE。

  ’Somedarkobjecthasjustappeareduponthewharf。Ithinkitisatravellingcarriage。’

  ’AQUARTERTOTEN。

  ’No,itisn’t。’

  ’HALF—PASTTEN。

  Thepassengersarepouringineveryinstant。Fouromnibusesfullhavejustarriveduponthewharf,andallisbustleandactivity。

  Thenoiseandconfusionareverygreat。Clothsarelaidinthecabins,andthestewardisplacingblueplates—fullofknobsofcheeseatequaldistancesdownthecentreofthetables。Hedropsagreatmanyknobs;but,beingusedtoit,picksthemupagainwithgreatdexterity,and,afterwipingthemonhissleeve,throwsthembackintotheplates。Heisayoungmanofexceedinglyprepossessingappearance—eitherdirtyoramulatto,butIthinktheformer。

  ’Aninterestingoldgentleman,whocametothewharfinanomnibus,hasjustquarrelledviolentlywiththeporters,andisstaggeringtowardsthevesselwithalargetrunkinhisarms。Itrustandhopethathemayreachitinsafety;buttheboardhehastocrossisnarrowandslippery。Wasthatasplash?Graciouspowers!

  ’Ihavejustreturnedfromthedeck。Thetrunkisstandingupontheextremebrinkofthewharf,buttheoldgentlemanisnowheretobeseen。Thewatchmanisnotsurewhetherhewentdownornot,butpromisestodragforhimthefirstthingto—morrowmorning。Mayhishumaneeffortsprovesuccessful!

  ’ProfessorNogohasthismomentarrivedwithhisnightcaponunderhishat。Hehasorderedaglassofcoldbrandyandwater,withahardbiscuitandabasin,andhasgonestraighttobed。Whatcanthismean?

  ’ThethreeotherscientificgentlementowhomIhavealreadyalludedhavecomeonboard,andhavealltriedtheirbeds,withtheexceptionofProfessorWoodensconce,whosleepsinoneofthetopones,andcan’tgetintoit。Mr。Slug,whosleepsintheothertopone,isunabletogetoutofhis,andistohavehissupperhandedupbyaboy。Ihavehadthehonourtointroducemyselftothesegentlemen,andwehaveamicablyarrangedtheorderinwhichweshallretiretorest;whichitisnecessarytoagreeupon,because,althoughthecabinisverycomfortable,thereisnotroomformorethanonegentlemantobeoutofbedatatime,andevenhemusttakehisbootsoffinthepassage。

  ’AsIanticipated,theknobsofcheesewereprovidedforthepassengers’supper,andarenowincourseofconsumption。YourreaderswillbesurprisedtohearthatProfessorWoodensconcehasabstainedfromcheeseforeightyears,althoughhetakesbutterinconsiderablequantities。ProfessorGrimehavinglostseveralteeth,isunable,Iobserve,toeathiscrustswithoutpreviouslysoakingtheminhisbottledporter。Howinterestingarethesepeculiarities!’

  ’HALF—PASTELEVEN。

  ’ProfessorsWoodensconceandGrime,withadegreeofgoodhumourthatdelightsusall,havejustarrangedtotossforabottleofmulledport。Therehasbeensomediscussionwhetherthepaymentshouldbedecidedbythefirsttossorthebestoutofthree。

  Eventuallythelattercoursehasbeendeterminedon。DeeplydoI

  wishthatbothgentlemencouldwin;butthatbeingimpossible,I

  ownthatmypersonalaspirations(Ispeakasanindividual,anddonotcompromiseeitheryouoryourreadersbythisexpressionoffeeling)arewithProfessorWoodensconce。Ihavebackedthatgentlemantotheamountofeighteenpence。’

  ’TWENTYMINUTESTOTWELVE。

  ’ProfessorGrimehasinadvertentlytossedhishalf—crownoutofoneofthecabin—windows,andithasbeenarrangedthatthestewardshalltossforhim。Betsareofferedonanysidetoanyamount,buttherearenotakers。

  ’ProfessorWoodensconcehasjustcalled\"woman;\"butthecoinhavinglodgedinabeam,isalongtimecomingdownagain。Theinterestandsuspenseofthisonemomentarebeyondanythingthatcanbeimagined。’

  ’TWELVEO’CLOCK。

  ’Themulledportissmokingonthetablebeforeme,andProfessorGrimehaswon。Tossingisagameofchance;butoneveryground,whetherofpublicorprivatecharacter,intellectualendowments,orscientificattainments,IcannothelpexpressingmyopinionthatProfessorWoodensconceOUGHTtohavecomeoffvictorious。ThereisanexultationaboutProfessorGrimeincompatible,Ifear,withtruegreatness。’

  ’AQUARTERPASTTWELVE。

  ’ProfessorGrimecontinuestoexult,andtoboastofhisvictoryinnoverymeasuredterms,observingthathealwaysdoeswin,andthatheknewitwouldbea\"head\"beforehand,withmanyotherremarksofasimilarnature。SurelythisgentlemanisnotsolosttoeveryfeelingofdecencyandproprietyasnottofeelandknowthesuperiorityofProfessorWoodensconce?IsProfessorGrimeinsane?

  ordoeshewishtoberemindedinplainlanguageofhistruepositioninsociety,andthepreciselevelofhisacquirementsandabilities?ProfessorGrimewilldowelltolooktothis。’

  ’ONEO’CLOCK。

  ’Iamwritinginbed。Thesmallcabinisilluminatedbythefeeblelightofaflickeringlampsuspendedfromtheceiling;ProfessorGrimeislyingontheoppositeshelfonthebroadofhisback,withhismouthwideopen。Thesceneisindescribablysolemn。Theripplingofthetide,thenoiseofthesailors’feetoverhead,thegruffvoicesontheriver,thedogsontheshore,thesnoringofthepassengers,andaconstantcreakingofeveryplankinthevessel,aretheonlysoundsthatmeettheear。Withtheseexceptions,allisprofoundsilence。

  ’Mycuriosityhasbeenwithinthelastmomentverymuchexcited。

  Mr。Slug,wholiesaboveProfessorGrime,hascautiouslywithdrawnthecurtainsofhisberth,and,afterlookinganxiouslyout,asiftosatisfyhimselfthathiscompanionsareasleep,hastakenupthetintubeofwhichIhavebeforespoken,andisregardingitwithgreatinterest。Whatraremechanicalcombinationcanbecontainedinthatmysteriouscase?Itisevidentlyaprofoundsecrettoall。’

  ’AQUARTERPASTONE。

  ’ThebehaviourofMr。Sluggrowsmoreandmoremysterious。Hehasunscrewedthetopofthetube,andnowrenewshisobservationsuponhiscompanions,evidentlytomakesurethatheiswhollyunobserved。Heisclearlyontheeveofsomegreatexperiment。

  Prayheaventhatitbenotadangerousone;buttheinterestsofsciencemustbepromoted,andIampreparedfortheworst。’

  ’FIVEMINUTESLATER。

  ’Hehasproducedalargepairofscissors,anddrawnarollofsomesubstance,notunlikeparchmentinappearance,fromthetincase。

  Theexperimentisabouttobegin。Imuststrainmyeyestotheutmost,intheattempttofollowitsminutestoperation。’

  ’TWENTYMINUTESBEFORETWO。

  ’Ihaveatlengthbeenenabledtoascertainthatthetintubecontainsafewyardsofsomecelebratedplaster,recommended—asI

  discoveronregardingthelabelattentivelythroughmyeye—glass—

  asapreservativeagainstsea—sickness。Mr。Slughascutitupintosmallportions,andisnowstickingitoverhimselfineverydirection。’

  ’THREEO’CLOCK。

  ’Preciselyaquarterofanhouragoweweighedanchor,andthemachinerywassuddenlyputinmotionwithanoisesoappalling,thatProfessorWoodensconce(whohadascendedtohisberthbymeansofaplatformofcarpet—bagsarrangedbyhimselfongeometricalprincipals)dartedfromhisshelfheadforemost,and,gaininghisfeetwithalltherapidityofextremeterror,ranwildlyintotheladies’cabin,undertheimpressionthatweweresinking,andutteringloudcriesforaid。Iamassuredthatthescenewhichensuedbafflesalldescription。Therewereonehundredandforty—

  sevenladiesintheirrespectiveberthsatthetime。

  ’Mr。Slughasremarked,asanadditionalinstanceoftheextremeingenuityofthesteam—engineasappliedtopurposesofnavigation,thatinwhateverpartofthevesselapassenger’sberthmaybesituated,themachineryalwaysappearstobeexactlyunderhispillow。Heintendsstatingthisverybeautiful,thoughsimplediscovery,totheassociation。’

  ’HALF—PASTTEN。

  ’Wearestillinsmoothwater;thatistosay,inassmoothwaterasasteam—vesselevercanbe,for,asProfessorWoodensconce(whohasjustwokeup)learnedlyremarks,anothergreatpointofingenuityaboutasteameris,thatitalwayscarriesalittlestormwithit。Youcanscarcelyconceivehowexcitingthejerkingpulsationoftheshipbecomes。Itisamatterofpositivedifficultytogettosleep。’

  ’FRIDAYAFTERNOON,SIXO’CLOCK。

  ’IregrettoinformyouthatMr。Slug’splasterhasprovedofnoavail。Heisingreatagony,buthasappliedseverallarge,additionalpiecesnotwithstanding。Howaffectingisthisextremedevotiontoscienceandpursuitofknowledgeunderthemosttryingcircumstances!

  ’Wewereextremelyhappythismorning,andthebreakfastwasoneofthemostanimateddescription。Nothingunpleasantoccurreduntilnoon,withtheexceptionofDoctorFoxey’sbrownsilkumbrellaandwhitehatbecomingentangledinthemachinerywhilehewasexplainingtoaknotofladiestheconstructionofthesteam—

  engine。Ifearthegravysoupforlunchwasinjudicious。Welostagreatmanypassengersalmostimmediatelyafterwards。’

  ’HALF—PASTSIX。

  ’Iamagaininbed。Anythingsoheart—rendingasMr。Slug’ssufferingsithasneveryetbeenmylottowitness。’

  ’SEVENO’CLOCK。

  ’Amessengerhasjustcomedownforacleanpocket—handkerchieffromProfessorWoodensconce’sbag,thatunfortunategentlemanbeingquiteunabletoleavethedeck,andimploringconstantlytobethrownoverboard。FromthismanIunderstandthatProfessorNogo,thoughinastateofutterexhaustion,clingsfeeblytothehardbiscuitandcoldbrandyandwater,undertheimpressionthattheywillyetrestorehim。Suchisthetriumphofmindovermatter。

  ’ProfessorGrimeisinbed,toallappearancequitewell;butheWILLeat,anditisdisagreeabletoseehim。Hasthisgentlemannosympathywiththesufferingsofhisfellow—creatures?Ifhehas,onwhatprinciplecanhecallformutton—chops—andsmile?’

  ’BLACKBOYANDSTOMACH—ACHE,OLDCASTLE,SATURDAYNOON。

  ’YouwillbehappytolearnthatIhaveatlengtharrivedhereinsafety。Thetownisexcessivelycrowded,andalltheprivatelodgingsandhotelsarefilledwithSAVANSofbothsexes。Thetremendousassemblageofintellectthatoneencountersineverystreetisinthelastdegreeoverwhelming。

  ’Notwithstandingthethrongofpeoplehere,Ihavebeenfortunateenoughtomeetwithverycomfortableaccommodationonveryreasonableterms,havingsecuredasofainthefirst—floorpassageatoneguineapernight,whichincludespermissiontotakemymealsinthebar,onconditionthatIwalkaboutthestreetsatallothertimes,tomakeroomforothergentlemensimilarlysituated。Ihavebeenovertheouthousesintendedtobedevotedtothereceptionofthevarioussections,bothhereandattheBoot—jackandCountenance,andammuchdelightedwiththearrangements。Nothingcanexceedthefreshappearanceofthesaw—dustwithwhichthefloorsaresprinkled。Theformsareofunplaneddeal,andthegeneraleffect,asyoucanwellimagine,isextremelybeautiful。’

  ’HALF—PASTNINE。

  ’Thenumberandrapidityofthearrivalsarequitebewildering。

  Withinthelasttenminutesastage—coachhasdrivenuptothedoor,filledinsideandoutwithdistinguishedcharacters,comprisingMr。Muddlebranes,Mr。Drawley,ProfessorMuff,Mr。X。

  Misty,Mr。X。X。Misty,Mr。Purblind,ProfessorRummun,TheHonourableandReverendMr。LongEers,ProfessorJohnKetch,SirWilliamJoltered,DoctorBuffer,Mr。Smith(ofLondon),Mr。Brown(ofEdinburgh),SirHookhamSnivey,andProfessorPumpkinskull。

  Thetenlast—namedgentlemenwerewetthrough,andlookedextremelyintelligent。’

  ’SUNDAY,TWOO’CLOCK,P。M。

  ’TheHonourableandReverendMr。LongEers,accompaniedbySirWilliamJoltered,walkedanddrovethismorning。Theyaccomplishedtheformerfeatinboots,andthelatterinahiredfly。Thishasnaturallygivenrisetomuchdiscussion。

  ’IhavejustlearntthataninterviewhastakenplaceattheBoot—

  jackandCountenancebetweenSowster,theactiveandintelligentbeadleofthisplace,andProfessorPumpkinskull,who,asyourreadersaredoubtlessaware,isaninfluentialmemberofthecouncil。IforbeartocommunicateanyoftherumourstowhichthisveryextraordinaryproceedinghasgivenriseuntilIhaveseenSowster,andendeavouredtoascertainthetruthfromhim。’

  ’HALF—PASTSIX。

  ’Iengagedadonkey—chaiseshortlyafterwritingtheabove,andproceededatabrisktrotinthedirectionofSowster’sresidence,passingthroughabeautifulexpanseofcountry,withredbrickbuildingsoneitherside,andstoppinginthemarketplacetoobservethespotwhereMr。Kwakley’shatwasblownoffyesterday。

  Itisanunevenpieceofpaving,buthascertainlynoappearancewhichwouldleadonetosupposethatanysucheventhadrecentlyoccurredthere。FromthispointIproceeded—passingthegas—

  worksandtallow—melter’s—toalanewhichhadbeenpointedouttomeasthebeadle’splaceofresidence;andbeforeIhaddrivenadozenyardsfurther,IhadthegoodfortunetomeetSowsterhimselfadvancingtowardsme。

  ’Sowsterisafatman,withamoreenlargeddevelopmentofthatpeculiarconformationofcountenancewhichisvulgarlytermedadoublechinthanIremembertohaveeverseenbefore。Hehasalsoaveryrednose,whichheattributestoahabitofearlyrising—

  sored,indeed,thatbutforthisexplanationIshouldhavesupposedittoproceedfromoccasionalinebriety。HeinformedmethathedidnotfeelhimselfatlibertytorelatewhathadpassedbetweenhimselfandProfessorPumpkinskull,buthadnoobjectiontostatethatitwasconnectedwithamatterofpoliceregulation,andaddedwithpeculiarsignificance\"Neverwossitchtimes!\"

  ’Youwilleasilybelievethatthisintelligencegavemeconsiderablesurprise,notwhollyunmixedwithanxiety,andthatI

  lostnotimeinwaitingonProfessorPumpkinskull,andstatingtheobjectofmyvisit。Afterafewmoments’reflection,theProfessor,who,Iamboundtosay,behavedwiththeutmostpoliteness,openlyavowed(Imarkthepassageinitalics)THATHE

  HADREQUESTEDSOWSTERTOATTENDONTHEMONDAYMORNINGATTHEBOOT—

  JACKANDCOUNTENANCE,TOKEEPOFFTHEBOYS;ANDTHATHEHADFURTHER

  DESIREDTHATTHEUNDER—BEADLEMIGHTBESTATIONED,WITHTHESAME

  OBJECT,ATTHEBLACKBOYANDSTOMACH—ACHE!

  ’NowIleavethisunconstitutionalproceedingtoyourcommentsandtheconsiderationofyourreaders。Ihaveyettolearnthatabeadle,withouttheprecinctsofachurch,churchyard,orwork—

  house,andactingotherwisethanundertheexpressordersofchurchwardensandoverseersincouncilassembled,toenforcethelawagainstpeoplewhocomeupontheparish,andotheroffenders,hasanylawfulauthoritywhateverovertherisingyouthofthiscountry。IhaveyettolearnthatabeadlecanbecalledoutbyanyciviliantoexerciseadominationanddespotismovertheboysofBritain。Ihaveyettolearnthatabeadlewillbepermittedbythecommissionersofpoorlawregulationtowearoutthesolesandheelsofhisbootsinillegalinterferencewiththelibertiesofpeoplenotprovedpoororotherwisecriminal。IhaveyettolearnthatabeadlehaspowertostopuptheQueen’shighwayathiswillandpleasure,orthatthewholewidthofthestreetisnotfreeandopentoanyman,boy,orwomaninexistence,uptotheverywallsofthehouses—ay,betheyBlackBoysandStomach—aches,orBoot—

  jacksandCountenances,Icarenot。’

  ’NINEO’CLOCK。

  ’IhaveprocuredalocalartisttomakeafaithfulsketchofthetyrantSowster,which,ashehasacquiredthisinfamouscelebrity,youwillnodoubtwishtohaveengravedforthepurposeofpresentingacopywitheverycopyofyournextnumber。Iencloseit。

  [Picturewhichcannotbereproduced]

  Theunder—beadlehasconsentedtowritehislife,butitistobestrictlyanonymous。

  ’Theaccompanyinglikenessisofcoursefromthelife,andcompleteineveryrespect。EvenifIhadbeentotallyignorantoftheman’srealcharacter,andithadbeenplacedbeforemewithoutremark,I

  shouldhaveshudderedinvoluntarily。Thereisanintensemalignityofexpressioninthefeatures,andabalefulferocityofpurposeintheruffian’seye,whichappalsandsickens。Hiswholeairisrampantwithcruelty,noristhestomachlesscharacteristicofhisdemoniacpropensities。’

  ’MONDAY。

  ’Thegreatdayhasatlengtharrived。Ihaveneithereyes,norears,norpens,norink,norpaper,foranythingbutthewonderfulproceedingsthathaveastoundedmysenses。Letmecollectmyenergiesandproceedtotheaccount。

  ’SECTIONA。—ZOOLOGYANDBOTANY。

  FRONTPARLOUR,BLACKBOYANDSTOMACH—ACHE。

  PRESIDENT—SirWilliamJoltered。VICE—PRESIDENTS—Mr。

  MuddlebranesandMr。Drawley。

  ’MR。X。X。MISTYcommunicatedsomeremarksonthedisappearanceofdancing—bearsfromthestreetsofLondon,withobservationsontheexhibitionofmonkeysasconnectedwithbarrel—organs。Thewriterhadobserved,withfeelingsoftheutmostpainandregret,thatsomeyearsagoasuddenandunaccountablechangeinthepublictastetookplacewithreferencetoitinerantbears,who,beingdiscountenancedbythepopulace,graduallyfelloffonebyonefromthestreetsofthemetropolis,untilnotoneremainedtocreateatastefornaturalhistoryinthebreastsofthepooranduninstructed。Onebear,indeed,—abrownandraggedanimal,—hadlingeredaboutthehauntsofhisformertriumphs,withawornanddejectedvisageandfeeblelimbs,andhadessayedtowieldhisquarter—stafffortheamusementofthemultitude;buthunger,andanutterwantofanyduerecompenseforhisabilities,hadatlengthdrivenhimfromthefield,anditwasonlytooprobablethathehadfallenasacrificetotherisingtasteforgrease。Heregrettedtoaddthatasimilar,andnolesslamentable,changehadtakenplacewithreferencetomonkeys。Thesedelightfulanimalshadformerlybeenalmostasplentifulastheorgansonthetopsofwhichtheywereaccustomedtosit;theproportionintheyear1829

  (itappearedbytheparliamentaryreturn)beingasonemonkeytothreeorgans。Owing,however,toanalteredtasteinmusicalinstruments,andthesubstitution,inagreatmeasure,ofnarrowboxesofmusicfororgans,whichleftthemonkeysnothingtositupon,thissourceofpublicamusementwaswhollydriedup。

  Consideringitamatterofthedeepestimportance,inconnectionwithnationaleducation,thatthepeopleshouldnotlosesuchopportunitiesofmakingthemselvesacquaintedwiththemannersandcustomsoftwomostinterestingspeciesofanimals,theauthorsubmittedthatsomemeasuresshouldbeimmediatelytakenfortherestorationofthesepleasingandtrulyintellectualamusements。

  ’THEPRESIDENTinquiredbywhatmeansthehonourablememberproposedtoattainthismostdesirableend?

  ’THEAUTHORsubmittedthatitcouldbemostfullyandsatisfactorilyaccomplished,ifHerMajesty’sGovernmentwouldcausetobebroughtovertoEngland,andmaintainedatthepublicexpense,andforthepublicamusement,suchanumberofbearsaswouldenableeveryquarterofthetowntobevisited—sayatleastbythreebearsaweek。Nodifficultywhateverneedbeexperiencedinprovidingafittingplaceforthereceptionoftheseanimals,asacommodiousbear—gardencouldbeerectedintheimmediateneighbourhoodofbothHousesofParliament;obviouslythemostproperandeligiblespotforsuchanestablishment。

  ’PROFESSORMULLdoubtedverymuchwhetheranycorrectideasofnaturalhistorywerepropagatedbythemeanstowhichthehonourablememberhadsoablyadverted。Onthecontrary,hebelievedthattheyhadbeenthemeansofdiffusingveryincorrectandimperfectnotionsonthesubject。Hespokefrompersonalobservationandpersonalexperience,whenhesaidthatmanychildrenofgreatabilitieshadbeeninducedtobelieve,fromwhattheyhadobservedinthestreets,atandbeforetheperiodtowhichthehonourablegentlemanhadreferred,thatallmonkeyswereborninredcoatsandspangles,andthattheirhatsandfeathersalsocamebynature。Hewishedtoknowdistinctlywhetherthehonourablegentlemanattributedthewantofencouragementthebearshadmetwithtothedeclineofpublictasteinthatrespect,ortoawantofabilityonthepartofthebearsthemselves?

  ’MR。X。X。MISTYreplied,thathecouldnotbringhimselftobelievebutthattheremustbeagreatdealoffloatingtalentamongthebearsandmonkeysgenerally;which,intheabsenceofanyproperencouragement,wasdispersedinotherdirections。

  ’PROFESSORPUMPKINSKULLwishedtotakethatopportunityofcallingtheattentionofthesectiontoamostimportantandseriouspoint。

  Theauthorofthetreatisejustreadhadalludedtotheprevalenttasteforbears’—greaseasameansofpromotingthegrowthofhair,whichundoubtedlywasdiffusedtoaverygreatand(asitappearedtohim)veryalarmingextent。Nogentlemanattendingthatsectioncouldfailtobeawareofthefactthattheyouthofthepresentageevinced,bytheirbehaviourinthestreets,andatallplacesofpublicresort,aconsiderablelackofthatgallantryandgentlemanlyfeelingwhich,inmoreignoranttimes,hadbeenthoughtbecoming。Hewishedtoknowwhetheritwerepossiblethataconstantoutwardapplicationofbears’—greasebytheyounggentlemenabouttownhadimperceptiblyinfusedintothoseunhappypersonssomethingofthenatureandqualityofthebear。Heshudderedashethrewouttheremark;butifthistheory,oninquiry,shouldprovetobewellfounded,itwouldatonceexplainagreatdealofunpleasanteccentricityofbehaviour,which,withoutsomesuchdiscovery,waswhollyunaccountable。

  ’THEPRESIDENThighlycomplimentedthelearnedgentlemanonhismostvaluablesuggestion,whichproducedthegreatesteffectupontheassembly;andremarkedthatonlyaweekprevioushehadseensomeyounggentlemenatatheatreeyeingaboxofladieswithafierceintensity,whichnothingbuttheinfluenceofsomebrutishappetitecouldpossiblyexplain。Itwasdreadfultoreflectthatouryouthweresorapidlyvergingintoagenerationofbears。

  ’Afterasceneofscientificenthusiasmitwasresolvedthatthisimportantquestionshouldbeimmediatelysubmittedtotheconsiderationofthecouncil。

  ’THEPRESIDENTwishedtoknowwhetheranygentlemancouldinformthesectionwhathadbecomeofthedancing—dogs?

  ’AMEMBERreplied,aftersomehesitation,thatonthedayafterthreeglee—singershadbeencommittedtoprisonascriminalsbyalatemostzealouspolice—magistrateofthemetropolis,thedogshadabandonedtheirprofessionalduties,anddispersedthemselvesindifferentquartersofthetowntogainalivelihoodbylessdangerousmeans。Hewasgiventounderstandthatsincethatperiodtheyhadsupportedthemselvesbylyinginwaitforandrobbingblindmen’spoodles。

  ’MR。FLUMMERYexhibitedatwig,claimingtobeaveritablebranchofthatnobletreeknowntonaturalistsastheSHAKSPEARE,whichhastakenrootineverylandandclimate,andgatheredundertheshadeofitsbroadgreenboughsthegreatfamilyofmankind。Thelearnedgentlemanremarkedthatthetwighadbeenundoubtedlycalledbyothernamesinitstime;butthatithadbeenpointedouttohimbyanoldladyinWarwickshire,wherethegreattreehadgrown,asashootofthegenuineSHAKSPEARE,bywhichnamehebeggedtointroduceittohiscountrymen。

  ’THEPRESIDENTwishedtoknowwhatbotanicaldefinitionthehonourablegentlemancouldaffordofthecuriosity。

  ’MR。FLUMMERYexpressedhisopinionthatitwasADECIDEDPLANT。

  ’SECTIONB。—DISPLAYOFMODELSANDMECHANICALSCIENCE。

  LARGEROOM,BOOT—JACKANDCOUNTENANCE。

  PRESIDENT—Mr。Mallett。VICE—PRESIDENTS—Messrs。LeaverandScroo。

  ’MR。CRINKLESexhibitedamostbeautifulanddelicatemachine,oflittlelargersizethananordinarysnuff—box,manufacturedentirelybyhimself,andcomposedexclusivelyofsteel,bytheaidofwhichmorepocketscouldbepickedinonehourthanbythepresentslowandtediousprocessinfour—and—twenty。TheinventorremarkedthatithadbeenputintoactiveoperationinFleetStreet,theStrand,andotherthoroughfares,andhadneverbeenonceknowntofail。

  ’Aftersomeslightdelay,occasionedbythevariousmembersofthesectionbuttoningtheirpockets,’THEPRESIDENTnarrowlyinspectedtheinvention,anddeclaredthathehadneverseenamachineofmorebeautifulorexquisiteconstruction。Wouldtheinventorbegoodenoughtoinformthesectionwhetherhehadtakenanyandwhatmeansforbringingitintogeneraloperation?

  ’MR。CRINKLESstatedthat,afterencounteringsomepreliminarydifficulties,hehadsucceededinputtinghimselfincommunicationwithMr。FogleHunter,andothergentlemenconnectedwiththeswellmob,whohadawardedtheinventiontheveryhighestandmostunqualifiedapprobation。Heregrettedtosay,however,thatthesedistinguishedpractitioners,incommonwithagentlemanofthenameofGimlet—eyedTommy,andothermembersofasecondarygradeoftheprofessionwhomhewasunderstoodtorepresent,entertainedaninsuperableobjectiontoitsbeingbroughtintogeneraluse,onthegroundthatitwouldhavetheinevitableeffectofalmostentirelysupersedingmanuallabour,andthrowingagreatnumberofhighly—

  deservingpersonsoutofemployment。

  ’THEPRESIDENThopedthatnosuchfancifulobjectionswouldbeallowedtostandinthewayofsuchagreatpublicimprovement。

  ’MR。CRINKLEShopedsotoo;buthefearedthatifthegentlemenoftheswellmobperseveredintheirobjection,nothingcouldbedone。

  ’PROFESSORGRIMEsuggested,thatsurely,inthatcase,HerMajesty’sGovernmentmightbeprevailedupontotakeitup。

  ’MR。CRINKLESsaid,thatiftheobjectionwerefoundtobeinsuperableheshouldapplytoParliament,whichhethoughtcouldnotfailtorecognisetheutilityoftheinvention。

  ’THEPRESIDENTobservedthat,uptothistimeParliamenthadcertainlygotonverywellwithoutit;but,astheydidtheirbusinessonaverylargescale,hehadnodoubttheywouldgladlyadopttheimprovement。Hisonlyfearwasthatthemachinemightbewornoutbyconstantworking。

  ’MR。COPPERNOSEcalledtheattentionofthesectiontoapropositionofgreatmagnitudeandinterest,illustratedbyavastnumberofmodels,andstatedwithmuchclearnessandperspicuityinatreatiseentitled\"PracticalSuggestionsonthenecessityofprovidingsomeharmlessandwholesomerelaxationfortheyoungnoblemenofEngland。\"Hispropositionwas,thataspaceofgroundofnotlessthantenmilesinlengthandfourinbreadthshouldbepurchasedbyanewcompany,tobeincorporatedbyActofParliament,andinclosedbyabrickwallofnotlessthantwelvefeetinheight。Heproposedthatitshouldbelaidoutwithhighwayroads,turnpikes,bridges,miniaturevillages,andeveryobjectthatcouldconducetothecomfortandgloryofFour—in—handClubs,sothattheymightbefairlypresumedtorequirenodrivebeyondit。Thisdelightfulretreatwouldbefittedupwithmostcommodiousandextensivestables,fortheconvenienceofsuchofthenobilityandgentryashadatasteforostlering,andwithhousesofentertainmentfurnishedinthemostexpensiveandhandsomestyle。Itwouldbefurtherprovidedwithwholestreetsofdoor—knockersandbell—handlesofextrasize,soconstructedthattheycouldbeeasilywrenchedoffatnight,andregularlyscrewedonagain,byattendantsprovidedforthepurpose,everyday。Therewouldalsobegaslampsofrealglass,whichcouldbebrokenatacomparativelysmallexpenseperdozen,andabroadandhandsomefootpavementforgentlementodrivetheircabrioletsuponwhentheywerehumorouslydisposed—forthefullenjoymentofwhichfeatlivepedestrianswouldbeprocuredfromtheworkhouseataverysmallchargeperhead。Theplacebeinginclosed,andcarefullyscreenedfromtheintrusionofthepublic,therewouldbenoobjectiontogentlemenlayingasideanyarticleoftheircostumethatwasconsideredtointerferewithapleasantfrolic,or,indeed,totheirwalkingaboutwithoutanycostumeatall,iftheylikedthatbetter。Inshort,everyfacilityofenjoymentwouldbeaffordedthatthemostgentlemanlypersoncouldpossiblydesire。

  Butaseventheseadvantageswouldbeincompleteunlessthereweresomemeansprovidedofenablingthenobilityandgentrytodisplaytheirprowesswhentheysalliedforthafterdinner,andassomeinconveniencemightbeexperiencedintheeventoftheirbeingreducedtothenecessityofpummellingeachother,theinventorhadturnedhisattentiontotheconstructionofanentirelynewpoliceforce,composedexclusivelyofautomatonfigures,which,withtheassistanceoftheingeniousSignorGagliardi,ofWindmill—street,intheHaymarket,hehadsucceededinmakingwithsuchnicety,thatapoliceman,cab—driver,oroldwoman,madeupontheprincipleofthemodelsexhibited,wouldwalkaboutuntilknockeddownlikeanyrealman;nay,more,ifsetuponandbeatenbysixoreightnoblemenorgentlemen,afteritwasdown,thefigurewouldutterdiversgroans,mingledwithentreatiesformercy,thusrenderingtheillusioncomplete,andtheenjoymentperfect。Buttheinventiondidnotstopevenhere;forstation—houseswouldbebuilt,containinggoodbedsfornoblemenandgentlemenduringthenight,andinthemorningtheywouldrepairtoacommodiouspoliceoffice,whereapantomimicinvestigationwouldtakeplacebeforetheautomatonmagistrates,—quiteequaltolife,—whowouldfinetheminsomanycounters,withwhichtheywouldbepreviouslyprovidedforthepurpose。Thisofficewouldbefurnishedwithaninclinedplane,fortheconvenienceofanynoblemanorgentlemanwhomightwishtobringinhishorseasawitness;andtheprisonerswouldbeatperfectliberty,astheywerenow,tointerruptthecomplainantsasmuchastheypleased,andtomakeanyremarksthattheythoughtproper。Thechargefortheseamusementswouldamounttoverylittlemorethantheyalreadycost,andtheinventorsubmittedthatthepublicwouldbemuchbenefitedandcomfortedbytheproposedarrangement。

  ’PROFESSORNOGOwishedtobeinformedwhatamountofautomatonpoliceforceitwasproposedtoraiseinthefirstinstance。

  ’MR。COPPERNOSEreplied,thatitwasproposedtobeginwithsevendivisionsofpoliceofascoreeach,letteredfromAtoG

  inclusive。Itwasproposedthatnotmorethanhalfthisnumbershouldbeplacedonactiveduty,andthattheremaindershouldbekeptonshelvesinthepoliceofficereadytobecalledoutatamoment’snotice。

  ’THEPRESIDENT,awardingtheutmostmerittotheingeniousgentlemanwhohadoriginatedtheidea,doubtedwhethertheautomatonpolicewouldquiteanswerthepurpose。Hefearedthatnoblemenandgentlemenwouldperhapsrequiretheexcitementofthrashinglivingsubjects。

  ’MR。COPPERNOSEsubmitted,thatastheusualoddsinsuchcasesweretennoblemenorgentlementoonepolicemanorcab—driver,itcouldmakeverylittledifferenceinpointofexcitementwhetherthepolicemanorcab—driverwereamanorablock。Thegreatadvantagewouldbe,thatapoliceman’slimbsmightbeallknockedoff,andyethewouldbeinaconditiontododutynextday。Hemightevengivehisevidencenextmorningwithhisheadinhishand,andgiveitequallywell。

  ’PROFESSORMUFF。—Willyouallowmetoaskyou,sir,ofwhatmaterialsitisintendedthatthemagistrates’headsshallbecomposed?

  ’MR。COPPERNOSE。—Themagistrateswillhavewoodenheadsofcourse,andtheywillbemadeofthetoughestandthickestmaterialsthatcanpossiblybeobtained。

  ’PROFESSORMUFF。—Iamquitesatisfied。Thisisagreatinvention。

  ’PROFESSORNOGO。—Iseebutoneobjectiontoit。Itappearstomethatthemagistratesoughttotalk。

  ’MR。COPPERNOSEnosoonerheardthissuggestionthanhetouchedasmallspringineachofthetwomodelsofmagistrateswhichwereplaceduponthetable;oneofthefiguresimmediatelybegantoexclaimwithgreatvolubilitythathewassorrytoseegentlemeninsuchasituation,andtheothertoexpressafearthatthepolicemanwasintoxicated。

  ’Thesection,aswithoneaccord,declaredwithashoutofapplausethattheinventionwascomplete;andthePresident,muchexcited,retiredwithMr。Coppernosetolayitbeforethecouncil。Onhisreturn,’MR。TICKLEdisplayedhisnewly—inventedspectacles,whichenabledthewearertodiscern,inverybrightcolours,objectsatagreatdistance,andrenderedhimwhollyblindtothoseimmediatelybeforehim。Itwas,hesaid,amostvaluableandusefulinvention,basedstrictlyupontheprincipleofthehumaneye。

  ’THEPRESIDENTrequiredsomeinformationuponthispoint。Hehadyettolearnthatthehumaneyewasremarkableforthepeculiaritiesofwhichthehonourablegentlemanhadspoken。

  ’MR。TICKLEwasratherastonishedtohearthis,whenthePresidentcouldnotfailtobeawarethatalargenumberofmostexcellentpersonsandgreatstatesmencouldsee,withthenakedeye,mostmarvelloushorrorsonWestIndiaplantations,whiletheycoulddiscernnothingwhateverintheinteriorofManchestercottonmills。Hemustknow,too,withwhatquicknessofperceptionmostpeoplecoulddiscovertheirneighbour’sfaults,andhowveryblindtheyweretotheirown。IfthePresidentdifferedfromthegreatmajorityofmeninthisrespect,hiseyewasadefectiveone,anditwastoassisthisvisionthattheseglassesweremade。

  ’MR。BLANKexhibitedamodelofafashionableannual,composedofcopper—plates,goldleaf,andsilkboards,andworkedentirelybymilkandwater。

  ’MR。PROSEE,afterexaminingthemachine,declaredittobesoingeniouslycomposed,thathewaswhollyunabletodiscoverhowitwentonatall。

  ’MR。BLANK。—Nobodycan,andthatisthebeautyofit。

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