ed as decisive--and accordingly we find
every where men of mechanical genius, of great general acuteness, and
discriminative understanding, who make no scruple in pronouncing
the Automaton a _pure machine, _unconnected with human agency in its
movements, and consequently, beyond all comparison, the most astonishing
of the inventions of mankind. And such it would undoubtedly be, were
they right in their supposition. Assuming this hypothesis, it would be
grossly absurd to compare with the Chess-Player, any similar thing of
either modern or ancient days. Yet there have been many and wonderful
automata. In Brewster's Letters on Natural Magic, we have an account
of the most remarkable. Among these may be mentioned, as having beyond
doubt existed, firstly, the coach invented by M. Camus for the amusement
of Louis XIV when a child. A table, about four feet square, was
introduced, into the room appropriated for the exhibition. Upon this
table was placed a carriage, six inches in length, made of wood, and
drawn by two horses of the same material. One window being down, a lady
was seen on the back seat. A coachman held the reins on the box, and
a footman and page were in their places behind. M. Camus now touched
a spring; whereupon the coachman smacked his whip, and the horses
proceeded in a natural manner, along the edge of the table, drawing
after them the carriage. Having gone as far as possible in this
direction, a sudden turn was made to the left, and the vehicle was
driven at right angles to its former course, and still closely along
the edge of the table. In this way the coach proceeded until it arrived
opposite the chair of the young prince. It then stopped, the page
descended and opened the door, the lady alighted, and presented a
petition to her sovereign. She then re-entered. The page put up the
steps, closed the door, and resumed his station. The coachman whipped
his horses, and the carriage was driven back to its original position.

The magician of M. Maillardet is also worthy of notice. We copy the
following account of it from the _Letters _before mentioned of Dr. B.,
who derived his information principally from the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia.

"One of the most popular pieces of mechanism which we have seen, Is
the Magician constructed by M. Maillardet, for the purpose of answering
certain given questions. A figure, dressed like a magician, appears
seated at the bottom of a wall, holding a wand in one hand, and a book