The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-06-29
pENc1LINes By LAMp-L1GHT.
A Fish Story

q
Its pleasant, now and then, to read a
.whopper,' scientifically got mp. The follow,
ing anecdote, we have no particular occasion
to doubt and still the like is not to be found
often, for it is fact, that fish that can kiss
and talk is quitea rarity. The Manchester
Examiner describes fsh which can not only
do these two very human things, but which
vomits for pleasure h. 1t is now on exhibition
in that place. and If thus described:-. The
animal was captured on the southwest coast
of Africa, some FIVE years ago. What may
have been the course of framing to which it
has been subjected, we are unable to say; but
there can be no doubt of this, that the animal
readily comprehends Whit is said to it, altho'
the auditory orifces, which are situated behind
ard below the eyes, are invisible. If it be
toldto turn over. it at once obeys the com
mand, ard repeats the evolution as often as
directed. 1t is. provided with two fore-fap-
pers, having shoulder blades, shoulder bones.
arms 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
convolutod, being ranked by Professor Owen,
in the highest of his animal brain types It is
extremely docile; and. although possessing a
mouth. full of formidable teeth, soiu kiss los
keeper toita an appearance Of affection, and
phen desired, soiti pronounce the ,Dords ma
ma and papa with considerable clearness Of
articulation. The animal subsists npon fish,
and consumes about thirty pounds weight ol
whiting per day. One peculiar habit it dis.
plays is, that after it has swallowed its first
food in morning which it does not appear
t,oice or thrios, and then dispatches it again
aoith an erident relish. To all lovers, of nat
ural history. as well as to the general public
this exhibition must prove one of CONSIDERABLE
interest; for this animal possesses degree Q
intelligence which cannot fail TO be both anu
sing aud instructive. 1t is about seven feo
long, is amphibious and possesses the powe
of standing erect at pleasure. i
~
The world is full of ostentatious humility
and can anything be more disgusting, whe
seen through Under many cloak of pre-
fessed humility, turks the restless heart of il
tensest vanity aud pride. The anecdote of tn
self accuser in the conference meeting. who's
charges of hypocrisy and wickedness agains
himself, we're answered by brother, wi,
sAmen that's so,' and who thereupon rotor
ed slanderer am as good as yoa,' illn
trates the spirit OF much showy humility.
is sham humility. taken On for effect. and
glorify ones self True humility makes I
display nor vaunt. If it leaves the world Fl
cIoister it doesn't advertise the fact. If
be part of sincere repentance, it prefers &C
to words to show it. ALI great and mob
souls are humble. No such soul blazons j
humility. These professed humble ones
these humlitarians, to coin phrase. are j.
the proudest Of human beings. You could
wound them worse, or insult them more, tn
to take them at their professions. z-vr
Pleasure is a Shadow. 8s st
Near the close of anshonored and usefal Il
!, Dewitt gave utterance to the following:
Pleasure is a shadow. wealth is. vanity, a
power pageant; but knosledge is ecstatic
enjoyment, perennial in fame, Unlimited
space, and infinite in duration In the p
( formance OF its sacred Offices it fears no d.
ger, spares no expense, omits no exertion.
! scales the mountain, looks into the volca
! dives into the ocean, perforates the earth.a 3
circles the globe, explores the sea and la
contempates the distance, ascends the sublil
+. No place too remote Tor its grasp, no hea'
too exalted for its reach aisii.=S'
I The Hgh-Flown Style. @=.s55s M
This is great age for 'buncombe.'
beautiful aud charming Simplicity of good ts
is thrown away upon the world generally
= most things. In language, particularly,
:. ever, certain classes of vulgar people resi-
I. you more in proportion as your words
d, highsounding and unusual. Once said &
4 ridge. Il sat in a coach opposite JeV
-. symbol of old clothes bags-an Isaial
Z: Hollywell street. He would close the wint
opened it. He closed it again; upon W
in q very solemn tone, l said to him, So
: of Abraham thou smellest son of Isaac,
art offensive son of Jacob, thou sms
foully See the man in the moon he is
ing his nose at thee at that distance
thou think that /. sitting here, can endu
any longer 2. My Jew was astonished, op
!. the window forthwith himself, and said hi