New-York, July 7, 1796.
A SPEAKING STATUE.
Laugingen, a city of Germany, is famous for the birth of Albert the Great, who made a statue, with such admirable clockwork, that it could walk, move its tongue, and speak distinctly.
It one day happened that Thomas d’Aquinas, disciple of Albert, having entered the chamber where this statue was left alone, the statue advanced towards him, and spoke to him before he was aware. Thomas was so frighted at this, that he struck it several times, and broke to pieces this admirable work, which had cost Albert thirty years labour.
For sources, see the end of the second installment ([pg. 28]).
To the Editor of the New-York Weekly Magazine.
Sir,