The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-05-11
MISCELLANEOUS.


Them.
Subsequently to visiting Nibo's theatre
the other night. we met friend to whom
in the course of conversation, we cou6ded
the important secret of weakness that
we had for Sports Of the Arena" coup
led with a confession of our having Just
come from enjoying the same.
awe only wish, though" we remarked,
by way of fnishi 6 sentence, " that they
would do away with the performing ami
mails"
ooh! you do wish that ?" said he. in
way that made us feel vaguely guilty
Of having done something wrong.
why yes" We resumed, rather hesit-
qtingl y "we never feel quite easy on
the sul ject Of the orchestra when unreli-
able quadrupcds, like elephants and rhi-
noceroscs, are allowed to run loose about
the ring within few feet of the mus-
clans heads. There's no knowing what
dangerous sentiment of hostility might
suddenly be provoked in the minds of
such beasts, against the proceediags of tho
c0rnet piston. or what might be their
opinion regarding particularly brilliant
solo on the ophcleide."
" Have you no other objection ?" asked
our inquisitorial acquaintance, with the
same unpleasant manner as before.
"Wcll yes" we replied. there's tho
danger to the exhibitors, you know. Some
months ago, if you remember, certain
well known Circus proprietor and self
styled Tanner of the Brute Creation was
tossed and severely injured by the In
tclligcnt Mastodon," on whose head he
was endeavoring to stand in state of tri-
umphant tableau."
d" l only wish it had killed him !" ex-
claimed our friend, with an excitement
that he pevcr exhibits, unless under the
influence of strong emotion
Good Heavens" cried we, "killed
whom-which-what?,
Why the human brute, mean," said
he, " OF course"
What" we rejoined, in burst Of
indignation, do you mean-you sanguin-
airy rufian-that you wish the ruin that
is, " Intelligent Mastadon'-had killed
Mr.. -, We should say, his talented and
popular trainer ?"
| do, by Heaven!" replied our friend /;
"and, what's more, if | had it in my pow
e., I'd throw every Lion King into the
cage with his beasts, unarmed, Just at the
time when the monarchs of the forest and
jungle were pretty nearly hungry enough
to eat each other and not by any means
in the humor to hesitate long about ex-
permentng on the qualities of the human
body as an article Of food, even though it
might be the body of their familiar tyrant
and torturer ! As it is I'd give fifty dol.
lars any time to see talking or dancing
horse kick its teachers brains out; and I'd
walk as many miles to have the pleasure
of watching a sagacicuS elephant tramplC
into pan'ake the wretch who amuse'
himself by driving three-inch spike intt
the poor animals flesh, or by cutting hin
in the open mouth with heavy riding
whip"
but you are mistaken" we began tc
urge. "Do you not know that all thes,
poor animals as you call them. ar
trained upon a system of tender kiudnes
and mild coercion only to be ognalIed il
first class ladies' school, con ucted o.
the moral suasion principle? Don't yo
know that the talking horse is induce
to ascend and descend fight of stee
stairs at the word of command, entirel
by means of pieces of carrot or apple
and that when he is being put through HI
rehcarsals, his master invariably locks u
every whip in the place, to avoid bein
betrayed, by sudden irritation, into an!
thing like harshness towards the doci
J creature? Don't you know that the ell
plants and rhinoceroses and camels az