"Bring out the Vocalist. I now call your attention to the most costly
of all my figures. This wonderful automaton singer represents Signorina
Squallini, the unrivaled vocalist, whose notes are current in every
market, and sway all hearts at her own sweet will.

"Wind her up and let her liquid notes pour forth."

She gesticulates wildly, and sings a few notes in a very extravagant
manner, then stops with a hoarse sound.

Mrs. J.: "John, this figure needs oiling. Why do you not attend to
your duties better?"

John gets oilcan, which he applies to each ear of the figure, which
strikes a high note and sings with much expression and many trills,
then makes a gurgling sound, as if running down, and suddenly stops
again.

Costume: Evening dress.

VIII. THE YANKEE

Description: A tall, thin man, clean shaven, but for a tuft on chin,
dressed in black, with broad-brimmed straw hat. He is seated on a low
rocking-chair, with his legs resting on the back of another chair. He
holds a wooden stick, which he is whittling with a jackknife.

"You here behold a specimen of our irrepressible, indomitable native
Yankee, who has been everywhere, seen everything and knows everything.
He has explored the arid jungles of Africa, drawn forth the spotted