The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-02-14

Remarkable Performance Given al
Keith's New Theatre.
Intelligence for Superior 10 That H" the
Domestic Animals.

tions of animal training seen here is
that offered by Capt. Charles T. Ad-
ans trained sea lions at Keith's new
theatre this week. Familiarity with
the ways OF dogs. horses and cats as
domestic pets, and even with monkeys,
tends somewhat 60 detract from the
surprise that otherwise might be
caused by their performances when
trained for public exhibition, as their
intelligence and capacity for training
are we'll understood. Few, however,
know anything OF the strange little
animals that are arousing so much in
terest at Kei,..'s, or OF their capacity
for training.
Their Intelligence" certainly IL far
inferior To that OF domestic animals;
and that their capacity for training is
equally SO is demonstrated by the fire.
quency with which IL is necessary TO
reward them with toOthsOme mOrsels
~ fish while performing their tricks.
This does not, however, in the least
diminish the interest aroused 10y their
performances: and il helps 20 make the
latter seem all the more remarkable,
since IL is plainly evident that Capt.
Adams has accomplished with these
tically impossible. They understand
plainly the sounds OF his voice, and
distinguish different words. as is shown
by the manner in which they respond
10 the names ne has given TO them. as
well az in other ways. and the rapdity
and apparent ease with which they
move about would seem almost incredi-
bile to one Who had looked at them but
had not seen their performances.
There are four sea lions I'm the pres
ent exhibition. varying i'm age from Is
months 10 two years. and one baby
seal. 10 months old. The former were
captured on the famous seal rocks"
I'm front of the Cliff house out beyond
the Golden Gate at San Francisco; and
the latter came from Nova Scotia. The
sea lions weigh from 100 to l32 pounds
and the seal about 60; and they are all
about four or five feet In length. To
those who have seen the immense seals
and sea lions basking in the sun on
the seal rocks" and jumping down
into the dark waters OF the Pacific,
these little animals viii bring back
recollections of "A most remarkable and
interesting sight though the animals
there seen seem like giants i'm compari-
son with these babies"
They are kept at the theatre I'm an
immense tank and pen. CONSTRUCT for
their special accommodation beneath
the stage, and the manner I'm which
they travel up and down the stairs 10
the stage is quite as remarkable as
anything they do before the footlights.
A large supply OF fresh fish is required
to appease their almost Unsuitable ap-
petites; and they require much care
and attention, being quite as suscepti-
bic to changes of temperature as are
human beings, several of them now
suffering with bad 'G-tlIs," which seem
10 have an effect on their voices quite
st...tl l. II -.
human voice.
The little fellows are as tame and
docile as puppies, which I'm many OF
their ways they suggest: and they
seem TO enjoy petting 10 degree
rather astonishing I'm animals OF their
class. The BABY seal is especially i'm
teresting and. being but a baby, has
10 be carried up and down stairs as yet,
though he is rapidly growing and al
ready has become cock Of the walk"
among his associates. who seem to re-
gard him as rather a superior being,
as he certainly will prove To be i'm the
way of courage and strength when he
shall have attained TO mans estate"
The animals have aroused so much
curiosity and interest among the chill
dren that Manager Lovenberg has been
almost overwhelmed with requests to
be permitted TO see the babies" at
close range. Several OF these requests
were granted: but they have become
so numerous that Mr.. Lovenberg has
been compelled to refuse all. as the Op-
portunities for seeing the animals other
than during the regular hours of the
entertainment would not permit half
10 do so who wished 10. He has. how
ever. decided TO accommodate the pub
lie as far as may be possible by an
nouncing that all purchasers OF tickets
for reserved seats for Saturday after
noon may come 20 the theatre on SAT-
urday morning. between 10 and 12
O'Clock and make the acquaintance OF
the babies" on the stage.