Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-11-21
Our New York Letter.

Our New York Letter.
New York, Nov. l6, 1874.
Editor Of Opinion
The pig is in no wise o romantic
animal. There is neither graceful
ness in his gait, nor comeliness in
his general make up; and yet have
lately been brought to doubt if the
porker has all the credit due an ami.
NAL with no much intelligence /; yes
sir, intelligence, and it's to prove
this point that Pm writing.
"Ben, the educated Pig" that
was the announcement, and it was
supplemented with pictorial repre-.
senTatlon Of him playing cards. l
didn't believe it, but alwoyS ambi
tious to furnish the OPINION with
the freshest novelties, regardless OF
expense, paid my 25 cents and
was ushered in. The entertainment
had begun. Upon a raised platform
covered with loose carpeting were
Ben and his master. Cards about
five inches square with the numer.
ais upon them were placed in a row
along the edge of the stage, aud in
full view of the audience, who were
requested to give any sum in sim.
pie interest for the animal to an.
swer.
The interest on 500 for 6 months
at per cent. was asked. The pig
slowly waddled up to the card bear
ing the number 3, took It in his
mouth, carried it to his masters
feet, and returning, selected the s,
and again the O.-$3.50. Several
computations followed, and in these
as we'll as in problems Introducing
multiplication, division
and satisfaction, the animal nosed
ont his answer with invariable ac-
To the figures were then
added cards bearing number of
proper names, short sentences, &C.,
which were scattered at random
over the stage, and questions were
desired which could be answered by
means of them. "What do the la
dies like - The pig brought out
''Dress." "Of what are the gentle
men fond ~ There was some hesi-
tation between tobacco and whiskey,
but finally the latter was selected.
SHOW old are you, Ben 2" 1O-1-
ten years, one month.
The old fellow made not a single
error.
Some one handed up a watch.
The exhibitor, without looking at
the time himself, held it for few
seconds before the pigs eye and
then returned it to the owner.
"Now, Ben, the gentleman would
ike to know the time"
The figures 1928, were successive
y brought out. % minutes after 3
to a fraction. Would any
,ne play Ben a game of euchre'
The proposition was accepted, and
;he trial proceeded as follows:
The pig cut for deal and lost.
His master held the animals cards
before his eyes, the porker studying |
hem carefully, after which they |
we're placed upon the platform face
lonm,eard. Two small placards,
yes" and "no" were used to desig-
late the pigs pleasure as to "pass-
ng" and bordering up" The per
ormance was completely successful,
he man loosing the game through
'quare, honest playing on the part |
# his opponent.
There seems to be no possible COL
usion between man and beast, the
heory being that intelligence and
mind are at the bottom of it-an
which I give you to
work. out between meals, trusting
'ou may arrive at more satisfac-
ory conclusion than 1 have yet hit
lpon.
HOW THE STATE WAS CARRIED.
Why must men, who have ac-
uired wisdom by years of infinite
and labOrious research, be
ounded to death by those who
ave allowed their youth to slip
way without gaining any knOwl-
dge whatsoever, and who poster a
ian Of learning on every occasion,
or information which they faile d,
trough incidence, to acquire It's
II very we'll to overhear gentlemen
at the street cOrne rs say
There goes Snow of the OPINION, if
here's man in New York who
eally knows anything about the