The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-03-24
Trained Animals.

Although the training of animals
at the present day is an art almost
perfected, a glance over some of the
trained animals Of the past shows
that we have not really advanced in
this direction. Horses were exhibited
in the early part of the thirteenth
century that walked and danced on a
rope, a trick that at the present day
would be pronounced impossible. The
ropes were extremely large and pressed
into triangular shape, and the
horses feet were provided with
shoes made of a similar substance,
Others were taught to lie down, while
an OK with a trumpet in his mouth
would straddle his back, making a
most comical and ludicrous appear
ance as they marched around. In a
Bodleian MS. of the fourteenth century
is an account of horses trained to
combat. The animal is represented
as rising in the air. and striking at a
shield held by the joculator, who, in
turn, thrusts at him with short
sword, or club, both keeping time, or
regulated by some musical instru-
ment
The following is told of an exhi
bitiOn given near Pail Mall, London, in
100: "A number Of little birds,jsto
the amount, think, of twelve or four
teen, being taken from different cages
were placed upon table in the pres
ence of the spectators. and there they
formed themselves into ranks, like a
company of soldiers; small cones Of
paper, having some resemblance to
grenadier's caps, were put on their
heads, diminutive limitations of mus
kets, made from wood, secured under
their left wings. Thus equipped they
marched to and fro several times,
when single bird was brought for
ward, supposed to be a deserter, and
set between six of the musketeers,
three in row, who conducted him
from the top to the bottom of the
table, on the middle of which a small
brass cannon charged with a little gun
powder had been previously placed.
The deserter was placed in front of
the cannon and his guards divided,
three retiring on the right side and
three on the other, while he was left
standing by himself. Another bird
then Immediately came forward, and
a lighted match being put into onesof
it's claws, he hoped boldly on the tail
of the cannon, and, apply ing the match
to the printing, discharged the piece
without the least appearance of fear
or agitation. The moment the ex-
plosion took place, the deserter fell
down and lay motionless, like dead
bird. But at the command of his tutor,
he rose again, and, the cages being
brought, the feathered soldiers were
stripped of their ornaments, and re.
turned to them in perfect order.
A story was told, many years ago, OF
a sheik Of one of the wandering tribes
of Egypt, who. when laughed at by
some Of Napoleon's soldiers for living
in a country that would not support
even bird, retorted that he would
send his storks for some French birds
who would bring them over on Jheil
backs, as his people would have tc
carry the Frenchmen before they left
and bidding them watch at early dawn
the next day he departed. Some Of
the men were curious enough to re
member his words, and watched. The
next morning a flock of storks few
over from the sea, having on thei]
OeSSno oONOAeSA AAuAOpONA UllCSO 1Cl
their foreign consorts, who had
evidently borne them over the
Mediterranean, and flew down among
the men, who were much impressed
with the supposed power. of the ole
+ chief. He had, however, merely
taken advantage of a peculiar habit O:
: these birds to test the credulity of TIL.
! Frenchmen; and it has been proved
within few years that the tale is no
> an exaggerated one, as small birds art
frequently observed sitting on th,
backs of storks on their southwark
trips, which is perhaps as remarkabl,
: as if they had been trained to do it
. A GENUINE Amati violin, made TO
7 Louis XIV, is now owned by tn
4 family of Lipinsky, in Pesth. TIL
g sides are ornamented with feurs deily
and the royal arms are painted in OF
a on the back. The instrumen
g remained until 1889 in the Gard
L.