Old times : $b A picture of social life at the end of the eighteenth centuryAshton, John
History
Old times : $b A picture of social life at the end of the eighteenth century
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- Social life and customs
"The convenience of Day Exhibitions must be obvious to the Polite
Circles, who are otherwise engaged in the evening.
"At the MECHANIC THEATRE, No. 38 Norfolk Street, Strand, will be
exhibited the
"ANDROIDES.
"Doors open every day at half-past 12, and begins at 1, and every
Evening doors open at half-past 7 and begins at 8.
"These much-admired Pieces of Mechanism, which not only imitate
human actions, but appear to possess rational powers, consist of,
1st--
"The Writing Automaton.--A Figure, about the size of a Boy of
four years old, which will be brought to a table, and set to
write any word, words, or figures required, in a round legible
hand. 2nd--
"The Fruitery--the model of a neat rural mansion, and contains
the following figures: first, the Porter, which stands in the
gate, and, on being addressed, rings a bell, when the door opens,
the Fruiteress comes out, and any Lady, or Gentleman, may call
for whatever fruit they please, and the figure will return, and
bring the kind required, which may be repeated; and the fruit
varied as often as the company pleases: it will likewise receive
flowers, or any small articles, carry them in, and produce them
again, as called for. As the Fruits are brought out, they will be
given in charge to a Watch Dog, which sits in front of the house,
and on any person taking away, or touching them, will begin to
bark, and continue to do so until they are returned. The next
figure belonging to this piece is, the Little Chimney Sweeper,
which will be seen coming from behind the house, will enter the
door, appear at the top of the chimney, and give the usual cry of
'Sweep' several times, descend the chimney, and come out with its
bag full of soot.--Third,
"The Liquor Merchant and Water Server. These are on a platform
of about two feet square, which (as the former pieces) will be
placed on a table. The Liquor Merchant stands at a small cask
from which it will draw every kind of spirits, wine, &c.,
required. The Water Server stands at a pump, and will fill a
tumbler with water as often as called for.--Fourth,
"The Highland Oracle: a Figure in the Highland Dress, stands on a
Time-piece, and gives the Hour and Minutes whenever asked, by
striking its Sword on a Target: it gives a rational Answer (by
Motion) to any Question proposed: it calculates Sums in
Arithmetic, and gives the amount instantly of any number of
pounds, yards, &c., at any given price, beats time to music, &c.
"The Table the different Pieces will be played on, contains an
Organ, on which the Proprietor introduces a few Notes: also
"The Machine or (self-playing) Organ, will play occasionally
several Pieces of Music, Airs, Country Dances, &c.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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