inclosed, and carefully screened from the
intrusion of the public, there would be no objection to gentlemen laying
aside any article of their costume that was considered to interfere with
a pleasant frolic, or, indeed, to their walking about without any costume
at all, if they liked that better. In short, every facility of enjoyment
would be afforded that the most gentlemanly person could possibly desire.
But as even these advantages would be incomplete unless there were some
means provided of enabling the nobility and gentry to display their
prowess when they sallied forth after dinner, and as some inconvenience
might be experienced in the event of their being reduced to the necessity
of pummelling each other, the inventor had turned his attention to the
construction of an entirely new police force, composed exclusively of
automaton figures, which, with the assistance of the ingenious Signor
Gagliardi, of Windmill-street, in the Haymarket, he had succeeded in
making with such nicety, that a policeman, cab-driver, or old woman, made
upon the principle of the models exhibited, would walk about until
knocked down like any real man; nay, more, if set upon and beaten by six
or eight noblemen or gentlemen, after it was down, the figure would utter
divers groans, mingled with entreaties for mercy, thus rendering the
illusion complete, and the enjoyment perfect. But the invention did not
stop even here; for station-houses would be built, containing good beds
for noblemen and gentlemen during the night, and in the morning they
would repair to a commodious police office, where a pantomimic
investigation would take place before the automaton magistrates,--quite
equal to life,--who would fine them in so many counters, with which they
would be previously provided for the purpose. This office would be
furnished with an inclined plane, for the convenience of any nobleman or
gentleman who might wish to bring in his horse as a witness; and the
prisoners would be at perfect liberty, as they were now, to interrupt the
complainants as much as they pleased, and to make any remarks that they
thought proper. The charge for these amusements would amount to very
little more than they already cost, and the inventor submitted that the
public would be much benefited and comforted by the proposed arrangement.

'PROFESSOR NOGO wished to be informed what amount of automaton police
force it was proposed to raise in the first instance.

'MR. COPPE