The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

MECHANISM.

The following account of a most curious piece of mechanism, is extracted from Tooke's life Catherine the second: after mentioning a number of curious productions of the same kind, the author proceeds:

But the most superlative production of this artist is a bureau or writing desk, which the Empress presented to the museum of the Academy of Arts and Sciences about eight years ago. Here the genius of its inventor has lavished his riches and fertility, in the greatest variety of compositions; all seem the work of enchantment. On opening this amazing desk, in front appears a beautiful group of bas-reliefs in bronze, superbly gilt, which by the lightest pressure on a spring, vanish away, giving place to a magnificent writing seat inlaid with gems. The space above this seat is devoted to the keeping of valuable papers or money. The bold hand that should dare to invade this spot, would immediately be its own betrayer, for at the least touch on the table part, the most charming strains of music instantly begins to play upon the ear; the barrel organ whence they proceed, occupying the lower part of the desk behind. Several small drawers for holding the materials for writing. &c. likewise start forward by the pressure of their springs. and shut again as quickly, without leaving behind a trace of their existence If one would change the table part of the bureau into a reading desk, from the upper part a board springs forward, from which with incredible velocity, all parts of a commodious and well contrived reading desk expand and take their proper places.

But the mechanism of this performance, as well as its outward ornaments should be seen, as nothing can be more difficult to describe.

The price set upon this desk was 20,000 roubles, to which the Empress added 5,000, so that for this wonderful work the artist got 25,000 roubles, or about 5,000 l. sterling.