view, and well worthy the attention of the various fire-offices."

"Exactly so," replied his Cousin,--"how desirable for instance would it
have been at the late alarming fire in Gracechurch-street, to have had
a trustworthy person like her, who could very coolly perambulate
the blazing warehouses, to rescue from the flames the most valuable
commodities, or lolling astraddle upon a burning beam, hold the red-hot
engine pipe in her hand, and calmly direct the hissing water to
those points where it may be most effectually applied. In our
various manufactories, what essential services she might perform.
In glass-houses, for instance, it is notorious that great mischief
sometimes arises from inability to ascertain when the sand and flint
have arrived at the proper degree of fusion. How completely might this
be remedied, by merely shutting up the female Salamander in the furnace;
and I can really imagine nothing more interesting, than to contemplate
her in that situation, dressed in an asbestos pelisse, watching the
reproduction of a phoenix hung up in an iron cage by her side, fondling
a spritely little Salamander, and bathing her naked feet in the vitreous
lava, to report upon the intensity of heat. Much more might be urged
to draw the attention of government to the propriety of retaining this
anti-ignitible young lady, not only for the benefits she may confer upon
the public, but for the example she may afford to others of her own
sex; that by a proper exertion of courage, the most ardent sparks may be
sometimes encountered without the smallest inconvenience or injury."

~~313~~~ Indulging in this playful vein of raillery, they now reached
that part of the City Road intersected by the Regent's Canal, where its
spacious basin, circumjacent wharfs and warehouses, and winding line of
water, with barges gliding majestically on its placid wave, where lately
appeared open fields arrayed in the verdure of nature, afforded full
scope for remark by Mr. Dashall, on the gigantic design and rapid
accomplishment, by commercial enterprize, of the most stupendous
undertakings.

"This work of incalculable public utility," said Mr. Dashall, "sprang
into being with the alacrity of enchantment;--the same remark may
apply to every other improvement of this vast metropolis, so rapid in
execution, that one thinks of the wonderful lamp, and the magnificent
palace of Aladdin, erected in one night by the attendant genii."

Onwards towards "me