The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-05-19

Wonderful Fcats of the Horse.
Without depreciating modern establish
ments of this kind, our recollections go back
| to Astley's Amphitheatre, near Westminster
Bridge, as 1t used to be thirty or forty years
ago, under the management OF MIR. DucroW.
The teats there perform by some of the
horses were exceedingly wonderful. The ami
mails seemed to possess degree OF human
intelligence. They were really accomplish
ed actors. Their powers OF simulatlon win
a view 10 entertain spectators went lar beyond
wha: any one could expect whose knowledge
is confined to the ordinary class of horses,
We mention few particulars regarding the
horses of Astley's as they occur 10 our mem
DRY:
One evening the performance represented a.
house on fire. All the inhabitants of the
dwelling had managed to escape except la
DIV in the upper story. You saw her at a.
window throwing about her arms wildly, and
screaming for help. Her appeals to the as
sembled crowd beneath were heartrendinG.
The frcmcn could not reach her, for the stair
was seemingly in blaze, and there was mo-
fre-cscape. The spectators in the theatre
were wrought up 10 an agony, II beng but
too evident that the poor lady was doomed toI
perish by painful and violent death. I'M
the midst of the commotion horse, which
V,
In its stable 1t had heard the screams of its
mistress, and hastencd to do its best to save
her. Without bride or saddle il was seen to
rush into the house and to climb the stair
amidst flames and volumes of smoke. 1T
reached the apartment where the lady was.
She mounted on its back, holding by the
name, and the horse, descending the stair.
brought her safely to the ground. Prolonged
shouts of applause rewarded the hazardous
exploit The whole thing was beautiful
piece of acting, cvoking throughout sentl
ments OF pleasure and admiration. Nothing
but kindness and long training could have
made the horse so clever in knowing what 10
do, and to do it well The feat was the more
surprising as horses usually have dread OF
fire which is not easily conquered. 1t will
be understood that The fire had been so adroit
| ly managed as to effect no injury on the
theatre; and there never had been any real
danger.
on another evening at Astleys a still more
remark able piece of acting by white horse
named Prince was offered for public enter
tainment 1t was in play called the High
Melted Racer" The play was in several
successive acts, ana designed to represent dli-
ferent stages OF degradation in the career OF
horse from youth to old age. The spectacle
was painful but touching, and unfortunately
endcavOr 10 describe some OF the scenes.
| When the piece opens we have a view of an
English country mansion. In front there are
several mounted huntsmen. in scarlet coats
reaGy to set out on a foX-chase. They are
waiting till n young lady comes out OF the
mansion 10 accompany them. We see the
] lady who is properly equipped Tor riding, de
! sccnd the steps at the doorway, and by the
aid of groom mount young and beautiful
! lv.shapcd white horse tina. is in readiness for
! her She speaks to it affectlonateiy, and calls
it her dear Prince. The elegant form Of the
animal, Its proud bearing, its glossy coat, and
the spirited way it Frances about, excite gen
cral admiration After a little galloping to
show It's pace. the horse with its fair rider
goes off with the hun,smcn and hounds in
pursuit of fox--that was also taught actor
! in its way-which leads the party through a
variety OF difficulties, such as climbing UP
rocks, leaping over hedges, and so forth, till
at length, on the point of being run down, II
dashes into the cottage Of poor old woman,
who humaaely gives IL shelter. She takes Up
the fox lovingly in her arms and saves II
from seemingly impending destruction. That
may be called the first stage in the horses
career. during which Prince was well attend
ed Ia and happy.
AT the beginning OF the next act the horse
is to appearance several years older and is nc
longer fit for racing or hunting. The lady
ls first owner had been, from some Circum
stances, compelled TO part with it. From lis
swiftness in running 1t had been purchased
to run at celebrated horseraces, nj which II
. had, on several occasions, won prizes, and it'
spriChtliness obtained for it the name of the
High. Melted Racer After this it was trans
ferred from one owner TO another, always in
descending scale. until poor Prince is seer
d, in the condition of cabhorse in the street.
OF London. 1t has somewhat the look of it
I former state, but is terribly broken down in
J figure and spirit Its plump and glossy APP
pearance is gone. 1t is dirty and detected
{ II hangs its head droopingly down. Its poo
! ribs shine through lis skin. Its Joints ar,
: stiff II stands on three legs, with the othe
, leg resting on the point Of the foot, just as W,
5 see cab.horses trying Ia rest their aching
limbs when standing in a row for hire VIVA
q a wretched downcome from that which Prime,
had enjoyed in "lIfe's young dream!' Ther'
Z awaits IL, however, still lower depth o
y misery
In the following act Prince is reduced q
. the forlorn condition of drawing sand cart
when II can hardly draw its own legs after IL
5 To appearances il is halfsiarved A chile
offers II few s,raws, which II is glad 10 "a;
] l.. -. III.