The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-12-25
4 ReurrIuJye 4njDsoI- Trainer.

I'm the year of 1511. in Perth, Scotland,
was born the most remarkable animal
trainer in the world His name was Bis
set, and in early life he became journey
man shoemaker; but having great fond
ness and faculty for managing animals, he
soon gave himself mp entirely to this ocen-
patton. Ills first success with educating
brutcs was with q horse and dog, whom he
taught TO rcrfurn many curious feats. Ho
next tried his skill on a couple Of monkeys,
who soon learned to dance on a rope, drink
To the company, ride and leap on the backs
of horses and 90 through intricate dances
with theirequaily accomplished companion
the dog. Three young cats were the sus-
eeediug subjects OF Bjsset's tuition, and
these were instructed to play upon dulci-
mers, apparently reading from music books
before them, while they squaIled vocal
accompaniment III three different keys, or
tones, producing altogether a chorus whose
piercing effect the musical may perhaps
imagine.
The fame Of Bisset's learned animals
spread rapidly, aud he Was finally induced
to exhibit them in London. \ place III
the haymarket was secured, and the Cats
Opera" advertised. Crowded houses re-
sponded to the advertisement and the
horse, The dog, the monkeys, and the cats
went through their respective pats amid
great applause. In l brief lime the sllillful
trainer found himself in possession of e.
600 as tie rev ard of his novel enterprise.
Encouraged by this, Bisset sought other
pupils in the animal kingdom. Among
these was leyeret, which he taught to
Lsat the time Of several marches with his
hind LEGS. Canary birds, linnets, and spar
rows, caught the trick of Distinguishing
the hour and minutes of the day. and of
spelling the name of any person in their
audience. Six turkey cocks were made to
go through a country dance and, in a
single months time, a turtle learned to
fetch and carry like dog. A goldfish
came to the surface at his call, snd fed
from his hand, and answered in various
other interesting ways, Bisset's call upon
its intelligence.
At length the maste. brought his ingen-
uity to boar on that most obstinate of all
dAlilildic, TIC lIF5 liCtLty IueG HIS ii!1lCn
this time but, after patient discipline of
u tweIvemoEth, gentleman-piggy was rem
dcred docIe as a spaniel, and ebeyed his
teachers every command. This sapient
creature could spell, east up accounts, tell
the time of DAY, kneel and make obeiSance
to the spectators, and otherwise conduct
himself like a gentleman Of parts. But
such extraordinary porcine wisdom could
no the accepted as natural phenOmcnonby
the Ignorance of the age in which it dwelt,
and it began 20 be whispered that Bisset,
who taught animals TO do all but speak,
was in league with the Devil. This was
ensugh to rouse the spirit of persecution !;
asd eae night, willie The learned pig was
exhibiting his tricks in Banelagh, Ireland,
the rpoo, headed by a stupid Official, broke
INTO the room, destroyed the apparatus with
which Hi-eet worked, and assaulted him
and his pig 50 yiIuleutiy that they barely
escaped with their lives. This event was
followed SOON after by the death of Bisset :;
but whether the odium that fell upon him
rs q suspected necromauccr had anything
to do with his demise, our informant does
not tell Us.