New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-29
TRAINING STAGE MONKEYS.
HOW THE PERFORMERS AT THE STAR ARE
EDUCATED.

r,on n TRIBUNE reporter the invitation or Herr
p,ockmann went the stage OF the star Theaue 70 go
m. monkeys dressed for their performance ne coe 10
boIr being forcibly reminded that tho iast uHo "S
-, on those classic boards was by the side OF Henry IT.
wing From Irving u the monkeys the descent ms 49,
,a and direct but managers OF combination tnea"o'
not controlled their policy by any feehng 0r ~
and the attraction that draw wei! IN shafihR "' "
can nav axed rental does nnd much difficulty 10 Sc
c,r,no temporary abiding place. IL must DO aonl'oa
.S, Tho entertainment offered by Herr Brockmanns am
Ir,aIs is far more elevating in It's tendencies 'ns ~
ssrso,sss antics OF o'Conor Herr Dr'o ~
nroves most srIklngly tho Intelligence % %
rt,o,Is and shows what may DO aeeomphsn'a
in developing II by human skill am p .,
oconors exhibition was degradation OF the stage bY MIN
self and many Of his associates and resulted IN eh'u
aging only the folly and bad taste of his audiences
The monkeys are lodged part OF the scene room III
an extension on south side OF the theatre Hoo VIZ
~ tent IN tho wooden cages In which they mado the wy
es and do not seem to be any dnereI nom the average
representatives OF ,imian races IL any'nhe' ''
are little quiet, as two or three haVs NOV So"
,ire,v recovered .ner SOP sickness Inc 'nVepe
y, che roles OF cook ami old woman are deadly emo
.,,a n, affairs that can scarcely arise fiom pro-
jealousy as their lines Of business 90 not con-
e, I'D to wednesday last they had occupied cages IN
,nposlte SIDES OF the narrow room on tha' Gay .nsy
made eruaces and abbered each other all day. working
themselves up into such OF frenzy that when they
on the stage they indulLed In short but spirited
soo without gloves which the audience thought was
mart Of the entertainment Now their cages nave oeeh
moved to the same side Of the where the occupants
crrot see each other They NEE. as strangers ana 10
NOT sneak as they pass BY As as IL Il nearly .imo
o., hs performance to open the monkeys begin 10 sho"
s,or q, eagerness BE- let out The hrst tnhg that a
trocts their attention is the arrival OF one OF tne az
tendants with big glass OF beer when ne prscecus w
wo,ro over ca. stove. This with little sugar added 10
What the quests drink the dinner scene AS each ins n
tev let cut Of Ei5 cage he makes rapid dart for tho
room ut the side Of the stage and mounts s par
tIcular chair The chairs are arranged IN semlcrce
always in the same order and the monkeys never max mis-
takes as N thai proper places 1t Is very amusing 70
ace them being dressed. Most OF them wear nhdergar
ents made in single piece after the fashion OF the aero
hat Ieotad" They get into these with most business
like air. holding up first one leg and then tho oher anu
hepinr TO slip upper part over the arms ana
One little fellow always facilitates the putting on OF MS
..,ao,s nv standlng on his head. The monkeys know
n,ecev at what moment round and present either
hac or fon to have buttons fastened AS soon as they
come OF the stage they their chairs and jumping
NJ wit patiently be undressed- They 90 not h""
their cues but are sent by attendants
TALK WITH THE TRAINER.
In repy 10 an inquiry the system of training Herr
Brocknanp said ta,bot tell everything as nave GER
tain methods which 1 do not want TO make eenerany
known For forty my father and have given eXni
bons OF trained animals and in that time we have nat
urav learned much Of their habits and dispositions The
great thing however is to gain command OF an anims
entire attention Once this Is obtained all the rc't IL
comparatvely easy. When nonheN's uaihiiS OoEi"'
he is restless his eyes wander all over the ROOM and his
attention "a never for than minute concentrated OF
any one thing. to teach him to forget everything
else and watch lie must learn to keep his eyes on
mine The moment he has acquired this power OF con-
centration easy TO teach any one In the auaehco
will watch the monkeys they doing Important
acts he will sec that they take their eyes on me- IL
singular thing that whc dogs and ponies look larger
on the stage than they really monkeys appear very
much smaller when dressed have little monkey
who ia an even better tghIope performer than the one
now exhibited but would look small that the aua
ence would scarcely be able to see his fea@ MY anmas
are very OF The rewards you see me give 'nen
on the stage are almonds and raisins.'
The reporter had an opportunity Of Witnessing display
Of the monkeys affection for Herr Btocknann when no
made his Grst appearance for the day In their DRESSING
room lie went the rounds and spoke WORD or TWO 10
each Some kissed him, others climbed up ana put their
arms around his neck and each exhibited the utmost impa
tlence TIL his turn for recognition came.
what monkeys are the easiest train 7" inquired the
reporter. mai.
MandrIls and balloons though they perhaps little
rnore delicate than the other kn1s stu my father had
one for thirty years The oldest performer In the present
t,oup is the blue-facad mandrll whom have had for
twelve years lie very goodtempered and VIII not re-
icc any attentions you may feel inclined to show him As
general rule when monkey holds out his hand enconr-
agngly Il is safest give him wide berth. and one who
is chatterng himself Is nearly always In bad temper
Z" How often do you feed themT
aWhen they arc performing twice they get four light
meals day. milk fruit and potatoes being their principal
diet We keep their very Clean but hey look aIer
their own toilets and do not wash them"
nWbat animals do you ind possess the most intelli'
eence monkeys, dogs horses"
There are clever and stupid specimens OF each, but
don't think there any great difference in general ntell
eence With all the great difficulty is to get undivided
attention."