Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
Mr. Babble produced his calculating machine, and its wonderful
powers were tested in many ways by the audience. It supplied to
Captain Sir John North an accurate computation of the distance
between a quarto volume and a cheesemonger’s shop; and solved a
curious question as to the decimal proportions of cunning and
credulity, which, worked by the rule of allegation, would produce a
product of 10,000_l._
Professor Yon Hammer described his newly discovered process for
breaking stones by an algebraic fraction.
Mr. Crowsfoot read a paper on the natural history of the Rook. He
defended their _caws_ with great _effect_, and proved that there
is not a _grain_ of truth in the charges against them, which only
arise from _Grub_ Street malice.
The Rev. Mr. Groper exhibited the skin of a toad, which he
discovered alive in a mass of sandstone. The animal was found
engaged on its autobiography, and died of fright on having its
house so suddenly broken into, being probably of a nervous habit
from passing so much time alone. Some extracts from its memoir
were read, and found exceedingly interesting. Its thoughts on the
‘silent system’ of prison discipline, though written _in the dark_,
strictly agreed with those of our most _enlightened_ political
economists.
Dr. Deady read a scientific paper on the manufacture of
Hydro-_gin_, which greatly interested those of the association who
were members of Temperance Societies.
Mr. Croak laid on the table an essay from the Cabinet Makers’
Society, on the construction of _frog-stools_.
Professor Parley exhibited his speaking machine, which distinctly
articulated the words ‘_Repale! Repale!_’ to the great delight of
many of the audience. The learned Professor stated that he was
engaged on another, for the use of his Majesty’s Ministers, which
would already say, ‘My Lords and Gentlemen;’ and he doubted not,
by the next meeting of Parliament, would be able to pronounce the
whole of the opening speech.
Mr. Multiply produced, and explained the principle of, his
exaggerating machine. He displayed its amazing powers on the
mathematical point, which, with little trouble, was made to appear
as large as a coach-wheel. He demonstrated its utility in all the
relations of society, as applied to the failings of the absent--the
growth of a tale of scandal--the exploits of travellers, &c. &c.
The Author of the ‘Pleasures of Hope’ presented, through a
member, a very amusing Essay on the gratification arising from the
throttling of crying children; but as the ladies would not leave
the room, it could not be read.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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