The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-07-08

was one the clever humbugs OF the day. but
we must say that on witnessing its performance,
we came TO the CONCLUSION that il is one Of the
greatest curiosities of the age. In the centre
OF the exhibition room, IN Piccadilly, is huge
tub OF an oval shape, containing about three
feet of water, and in this water is 10 be seen a
creature apparently of the seal species, disport-
ing itselfn most peculiar manner. It is am
pbibious. II measures about II feet in length;
and weighs 8 cwt. 1t appears that it was
caught with much trouble, and at great perso-
! nal hazard. by ''Signor Cavanna and crew." off
the coast Of Africa, on the 4th Of Nav, 1854.
1t is the only individual OF the species that has
ever been exhibited. SIN offering this curious
animal TO public view, the proprietor wishes to
inform his visitors that they are not to con-
found itwth the marine wolf, as it is of quite a
different species. The female, which he has
the honor TO present 10 the public, obeys the
word'' of command, and executes various per-
formances which have caused great admiration
to the first naturalists of England, France and
Portugal. The creature, notwithstanding IFS
great ferocity, has with difficulty been tanned,
and in a sense domesticated. Such is its present
docility and obedience, that it has left its local.
ity at night in search of its keeper, and has
laid down TO sleep by his side. 1t is of enor-
nous bulk, has two rows of teeth, and is COW
cred with fine halr. Il only feeds on fish, of
which il daily eats the immense quantity of 45
lbs. It is ferocious and dangerous to It's
enemy, but docile to its keeper, whose orders
and expressions it comprehends, and whose face
and hands It kisses. lis intelligence is so ac-
tive that it pronounces several words distinct
ly." Such is the description of the animal
which we received on entering the room, and
as far as our personal observation went, we can
bear testimony TO the truth OF this statement.
The animal utters The words, s'mamma," and
'FPapa," distinctly, it rolls over in the water
repeatedly, obeys the orders Of its keeper like
a dog when commanded, it raises its body in
an upright position, sits upon lis tail end, kisses
both hands OF its guardian, follows with its
beautiful and Intelligent eyes, his motions
round the room, and stretches ITS feet over
the side Of the tub TO kiss his mouth. II also |
extends its fins, or paws, TO shake his hands, |
and we have little doubt it could be taught 10 |
leave its tub altogether, and TO move up and |
down the room as It Were arm in arm with its |
master. Its eyes are larger than those of an
OK, its mouth is most capacious, and it has two
rows ofteeth as sharp and as strong as those |
of tiger. At night the animal sleeps on damp
boards with blanket or two. The fms or paws |
have each five fingers, though the whole are
covered with thick skin. 1t has two tails, !
which are constantly in motion 10 guide its ev-
olutious around The tub. IT has no visible ears, |
and yet it appears to understand every order |
given.-BslPs Life in London.
LARGE FIsH.-OId Joe Phillips was an
awful story-teler. When a stranger came TO
MS tavern, if he appeared at all credulous, old
Joe would tell j long yarn to his village
but talk at the stranger. A short
lime since a stranger came into his bar-room,
with rod, line, and other fishing paraphernalia,
when Joe seized friend and startled him by
he question
sEDid you hear about the big fish Col Pot
er caught to-day in the river y
The stranger pricked up hls ears. Joe and
lis friend, talk on after this style
"No,'' said the friend, in answer to Joe's
question.
"Biggest sturgeon that ever was cangtt
lnywhere.''
'sYou don't say
"Yes, when came away he hadn't caught
III of OF him, though he had about six feet OF
lin ashore"
''Gracious, how much did it weigh ~
EThree hundred pounds and he made nine
artelS Of oils
"Nine barrels OF oil - inquired the stranger,
dvancing, 'did you say nine barrels -
AYES" said Joe fierceiy, 81 said nine barrels.
S there anything strange, sir ?''
'Oh no, PARDON" said the stranger, musIng
y 'sonly l was thinking it little singular
hat you could extract twsnty-seven hundred
ounds OF oil from thee hundred pounds of fish ~ |
nd gathering up his fishing utensils he left.
l5-Two IFishmen were one evening enga-
ed in the highly interesting task OF stealing
caches
Pat being the more nipbIe of the two had f
imbed the tree, and was busily engaged in sha- f
ing fruit therefrom, when he was stopped by
annie with the exclamation
"Arrah, Pat, and shure and have payches a
gs 90 P
"No, you fool, why do you ask that question
2 blatherhead, don't be maxim noise but pick
p the payches." replied Pat.
sBut, Pat, are We sure that payches haven't a
Nv legs ~ continued Jamie.
t.Didn't tell yea they hadn't, ye bloody h
,alpeen," rejoined Pat. n
"Wel them said jamie, ''if payches hain't
1t legs, be the mortal COB I've swollered
hraddle bug" a.
JAIME had swallowed tree-toad. al
Hy-An exchange paper says that there are &c
rec candidates in one of the counties IN Wis n
,nsin for the legislature Mr.. ]. Nj. Root is
e Democratic candidate, Robert Hogg is the
rec Soil candidate, and T. Fl. Dye is the m
fhic candidate So with the voters We suE- 4;