Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-06-13
THE EQUINE PARADOX.


A Fine Exhibition OF Animal intelligence
Last Night.
Last evening Prof. Bartholomew exhib-
tied bis trained horses in this city for the
first time. The opera house was packed
with people and it was almost impossible
to secure standing room after o'clock.
The scenery had all been thrown back on
the stage, which is covered with a thick
coating Of saw dust. Two large and heavy
ropes are stretched ACROSS tho front.
There are sixteen animals in the company,
including three ponies and one small
and colors. 1t is wonderful what intelli-
gence these animals are possessed of and
their performance is simply astonishing.
professor as scholars. They sze on theiI
way to school and arc az frisky and play.
full as children and cut all kinds of capers.
This scene is ended in short time by the
ringing of the school bell by one of the
into classes, the small ones being on one
side and the larger ones on the other. Prof.
Bartholomew then takes his seat and
gives orders to the animals one takes his
coat and bringshim chair, another brings
his mail and third cleans the blackboard
with large sponge held between mis-
teeth. Bucephalus and Caesar each
danced Jig in q great deal better style
is that of Ceasar who at the word from
any one in the audience turns to the right
or left and makes the figure eight. Abdal-
exhibitions Of pacing, trOtting, running
k,ox, linz -, oft thnr Otv1a n
the word of command from tho professor.
for short time. when they again begin
gether by the ringing of tho bell. Nellie,
favorite, rolls barrel up and down a
and Pope see-saw on the same.
jump and notwithstanding the small
stage they did their work last night
without break. Prince and Pope were
placed alongside of gate and the horses
one after another as their names were
called, jumped over them. One OF the
best acts is the murder trial in which all
the horses take part. Tie donkey acts
as judge and he is seated on q
high place where he looks as wise as an
owl. A pony is the court criel
and six horses compose the jury. One Of
the animals is tried for murder, aud after
some consultations he is acquitted by the
jury. The verdict is taken by horse,
and after that all have q good time. The
drilling of the animals is something very
wonderful, and it is astonishing with what
precision they 90 through the many diff
cult movements. The show ends with the
great battle scene in which the animals
have fort and shoot the guns themselves.
Several drop over as if dead and one runs
to the fort to secure the flag. He is shot
and wounded, and while sitting down
another animal steals the flag from hi
mouth. After the battle they ara al
formed in line when the flag is handed by
| the horses from one to another all along
the line. In the battle act q great amount
of animal intelligence is exhibited, ant
the horses 60 at their work as though il
was a real battle. Each one knows What
he has to do and he does it at once. Th:
animals all know their names and thoss
| of their companions, and when one is cai!ee
upon to do anything the others look a
him as though they desired to urge him
They also seem to have knowledge O.
number, as they can all he caiicf: out b.
the mention of the number OF each.
The show is an excellent one, and it il
doubtful if there is another troupe o
horses 80 we'll trained in the world. Th
large audiences are well deserved and the.
will undoubtedly continue all week.