Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-07-12
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SAGACITY OF A CIRCUS HORSE.

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menls Of this kind, our recollections 60 back
to Astley's Amphitheatre, near Westminster
Bridge, ss it is used to be, thirty or forty years
ago, under the management of the late Mr..
Ducrow. The feats there performed by some
of the horses we're exceedingly wonderful.
The animals seemed to possess degree of hu.
man intelligence. They we're accomplished
actors. Their powers of stimulation with a
view to entertain spectators, went far beyond
what any one could expect, whose knowledge
is confined to the ordinary class of horses.
We will mention few particulars regarding
the horses at Astley's as they occur to our
memory. One evening the performance re-
presented house on fire. All the inhabi-
tants of the dwelling had managed to escape
except lady in an upper story. You saw
her at window, throwing about her arms
wildly, and screaming for help. Her appeals
to the assembled crowd beneath we're heart
rending The firemen could not reach her,
for the stair was seemingly in blaze, and
there was no fire escape The spectators in
the theatre we're wrought up to an agony, it
being but too evident that the poor lady was
doomed to perish by painful and violent
death. In the midst Of the commotion, 8
horse which belonged to the lady rushed upon
the stage. In its stable it had heard the
screams of its mistress, and hastened to do its
best to save her. Without bride or saddle,
it was seen to rush into the house and climb
the stair, amidst flames and volumes ofsmoke.
1t reached the apartment where the lady was.
She mounted on its back, holding by the
name, and tie horse, descending the stair,
brough her safely the ground. Prolonged
shouts Of applause rewarded the hazardous ex-
plot. The whole thing was beautiful piece
Of acting, and evoking throughout sentiments
of pleasure and admiration. Nothing but
kindness and long training could have made
the horse 80 clever in knowing what to do and
to do it we'll The feat was the more surpris-
ing, as horses usually have a dread Of fire
which is not easily conquered. twill be un'
derstood that the fire had been so adroitly
managed as to effect no injury on the theatre,
and tn It never had there been any real danger.
On another evening at Astleys, still more
remarkable piece of acting, by white horse
named Prince, was offered for public enter
tainment. 1t was play called the High
mettled Racer. The play was in several acts,
and designed to present different stages of
degradation in the career of a horse, from
youth to old age. The spectacle was painful
but touching, but unfortunately y, in too many
cases, true to nature. We shall endeavor to
describe some of the scenes.
When the piece opens, we have view Of
an English mansion. In front there are sew
eral mounted huntsmen in scarlet coats, ready
to set out ON fox-chase. They are waiting
until young lady comes out of the mansion
to accompany them. We see the lady, prop
erly equipped for riding, descend the steps to
the doorway, and by the aid of Il groom mount
young and beautiful shaped white horse
that is in readiness for her. She speaks to it
alfectionately and calls it her dear Prince
The elegant form of the animal, its proud
bearing, its glossy coat and the spirited way
it prances about, excite general admiration.
After little galloping to show its pace, the
horse, with its fair rider, goes off with the
huntsmen and hounds in pursuit of fox, that
was also taught actor in its way, which
leads the party through variety of difficult
ties, such as climbing up rocks, leaping over
hedges, &C., till at length, on the point of be-
ing run down, it dashes into the cottage of
poor old woman, who humanely gives it shell.
ter. She takes up the fox lovingly in her
arms, and saves it from seemingly impending
destruction. That may be called the first
stage of the horses career, during which
Prince was we'll attended to and happy.
At the beginning Of the next act, the horse
is, to every appearance, several years older,
and is no longer fit for racing or hunting.
The lady, its first owner, had from some cir
cumstance been compelled to part with it..
From its swiftuess in running, it had been
purchased to run at celebrated horse races, at
which it had, on several occasions, won prizes,
and its sprightiness obtained for it the name
of the High.mettled Racer. After this it was
transferred from one owner to another, al
ways in descending scale, until poor Prince
is seen in the condition Of a cab horse in the
streets of London! 1t has somewhat the lo"k
of its former state, but is terribly broken
down in figure and spirit. Its plump and
glossy appearance is gone. 1t is dirty and
detected. 1t hangs its head droopingly down.
Its ribs shine through its skin. Its joints are
stiff 1t stands on three legs, with the other
ley resting on the pon, of the foot, just as
we see cab horses irving to rest their aching