Morning journal and courier., 1888-01-18
THE PERFORMING SEALS

| Producing Sensation at the Grand Opera House-Spe cfaI Performance Yesterday Afternoom-Some Things That They Do.
 About twenty persons came together in | the museum hall at the Grand Opera House yesterday afternoon at the special invitation of Manager G. B. Bunnell. They were mem bers of the press and the "Nan's Acre Lot" company, including Clara Tuttein and Harry Pepper. But four or five knew what really fine exhibition was to be given by ten mem bers of 8 family that live in the water. The center of attraction were trained seals, the first performing ones ever shown. A large tank by the side of the miniature stage tained the curiosities, and they romped about previous to the exhibition like children at play. The little stage had an addition on the front to make it larger, and here it was that the seals did their tricks. Small chairs and stools were there for them to lay on when out of the water, and, besides, there were hung up in various places tam bour1nes, small banjo, drum, bells, cannons and guns and other things which they were to execute tricks on when told to.
 It was shortly after o'clock, when Mana ger Bunnells visitors had taken seats, that Prof Edward G. Morton, in 8 few we'll chosen words, introduced to the attention of the spectators Prof. Woodward and his troupe of trained seals. At the sound of his voice they all left the water and crawled onto the stage, taking position in half circle, facing the spectators. Two sat up in chairs like individuals. When all was ready each took hold of string with one of it's paws and began to make the bells, which were suspended in the air, ring merrily. Then these were taken away and most comieal Fo1I oh rriv ooo11 strument on which to play among them being 8 drum, small banjo and one had two large tambourines which it rapped with it's paws ikea professional end-man in a minstrel show. The instruments were attached to where the seals were sitting. The Volunteer and the Thistle had an interesting race. Two of the seals took hold of sail and swan about the tank number of times. The Thistle was swamped aG the start, but she soon got right ed and the race went on. Of course the Vol unteer won. Three of the seals held pipes in their mouths and smoked, and smoked them in the water. One went to sleep in cradle, was covered up with blanket and began snoring, All joined in 8 song, ''Noises from the Deep," to the banjo accompani- ment by one of the seals. Whenever the in= struments were played on the seals looked knowingly at the music on a stand in front of them, while Prof. Woodward kept time with his baton. Two ordinary-sized guns were pointed toward the ceiling and seal took charge of each one. Each laid his head down and sighted like soldier behind bulwark, and at the word fire" each pulled the trigger with it's paws and there was re- port loud enough to make many of the spec tators jump. When the smoke cleared away the seals lay there as nonchalantly as could be- Then the two fired off cannons several times. The antics of the animals between times caused great merriment.
 The exhibition was most remarkable one and it is worth going long ways to see the seals perform. They did everything with precision, doing nothing until Prof. Wood ward gave them word. How animals of this kind can be taught such tricks is indeed wonder. After each trick the professor throws each seal piece of fish. It has taken 8 great deal of labor to teach them to do these tricks. In New York they were cu- riosity and produced great sensation. They were brought direct to this city. Prof. Wood- ward is constantly teaching them new tricks They are regular pets of his. The youngest is three years old. Philadelphia people are on the tip toe of expectancy, the seals are to be taken there soon. Nobody should miss seeing the seals. They are, indeed, all that the metropolitan dailies have said of them.