New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-03-19


THE RULING PAss1oN.-we have often heard OF
the ruling passion strong in death and here We have
letter from friend in Rhode Island that gives Us
an example Of the same principle not in death but in
debt
The now retired John B. once senior partner
of the respectable firm of B. & Co., during his
business unfortunate enough to sell quite
an amount to one JONES' on time, Of course. Now
Jones was an exceedingly polite man in fact, IS it
afterwards proved that weakness was about the only
capital he ever did have
Shortly after the purchase Jones failed, in the
direct sense OF the term, showing nothing to satisfy
bis creditors among whom was Mr.. B. aforesaid.
Notwithstanding Jones misfortune he continued the
use of his favorite weapon, saluting Mr.. b, as
often as they met, with all the airs Of Brummel.
When Mr.. b could endure this no longer, he
met Jones one day, and. taking him by the batton-
''Mr. Jones, you owe me large sum and your po-
likeness anncys me- Walk into my store, and will
give you receipt in full on condition that you never
Imagine BIS surprise when Jones struck the
old attitude, hat extended in the left hand, right
hand on his heart, saying:
Couldn't think of it Mr. B.. wouldn't fore.
go that. pleasure for four times the amount"
"TALk1NG F1sH."-On Tuesday there arrived
in Manchester, for exhibition, an animal styled q
Talking Fish,, which, no doubt, will prove source
lists in particular. Amongst others, we paid visit
yesterday afternoon, and were much gratiied by
what we saw. The term "fsh," however, appears to
be misnomer, for there can be no doubt that the
animal is specimen OF the smalltailed seal, phOca
itptonyr Of De Bainye, the stenorhynchus ltPtonyr
OF Fred. Culver, and described as such by DR.. Ham.
ilton in the eighth volume of the "Natnralists Ii
brary referred to also by Professor Owen, under
the same name, in the twelfth volume of the "Annals
of Natural History" Qs4s, p 3sl,) but not the
species described and figured under that name by DR..
Gray in the illustrations to the voyage Of the Eebus
and Terror, and mentioned in the British Museum
al l,n~skv H. al L. -
given the trivial name of 'sea Leopard" In this
opinion Dir. Moore, of the Derby Museum, agrees.
1t is antarctic species, and by no means common
in the Museums. The animal was captured on the
Southwest coast of Africa, some five years ago.
What may have been the course Of training to which
it has been subjected, we are unable to say; but
there can be doubt of this that the animal readily
comprehends what is said to it, although the audi
the eyes, invisible. If it be told to turn over it
at once obeys the command, and repeats the evolu-
ton as often as directed 1t is provided with two
fore appers, having shoulder blades shoulder bones,
arm and wrist bones, which are of great strength,
and it extends either the right or the left one as the
keeper commands elevating both in an appealing
attitude when requested. The brain cavity is large,
and the brain highly convoluted, being ranked by
Professor Owen in the highest Of his animal brain
| types. 1t is extremely doce; and, although pos
sessing mouth full OF formidable teeth, will kiss its
keeper with an appearance of affection, and when
desired will pronounce the words mammal and
"paps" with considerable clearness Of articulation.
The animal subssts upon fish, and consumes about
thirty pounds weight OF whiting per day. One pecu
liar habit it displays is that after it has swallowed its
first food in morning, which it does not appear to
mastcate, it disgorges once, and often twice or
thrice, aud then dispatches again with an evident
relish. To all lovers Of natural history, as well as to
the general public this exhibition must prove one Of
considerable interest, for this animal possesses de-
gree OF intelligence which cannot fail to be both in
structve and amusing 1t is about seven feet long.
is amphibous, and possesses the power Of standing
erect at pleasure. Manchester Examiner