92 THE ART OF TRAINING ANIMALS. 



will soon understand that when they are both ordered to go 

 over, speed is expected ; the dainty given to the winner will be 

 an incentive to exertion. By making one dog go up to where 

 the ladders join, turning half around and forming an arch of his 

 body, the other dog can go over the ladders, passing beneath 

 the JDelly of the "arch." This is a very trifling feat but it 

 generally pleases an audience. 



The ladder climbing forms really the principal part of the 

 celebrat^ed siege scene, performed by dogs and monkeys. This 

 scene, we believe, was first enacted in London in the year 1753, 

 by a troupe of dogs and monkeys which acquired considerable 

 celebrity by their performances. The}- were owned by a lady, 

 who had also taught them, and went by the name of Mrs. Mid- 

 night's Animal Commedians. A small stage was specially fitted 

 up for their performances, furnished with scenery, decorations, 

 etc., and to these adjuncts was no doubt due much of the success 

 of the troupe. The performance was much like modern ones ; 

 the tricks are all included in this chapter and the one on monk- 

 eys ; the famous siege being only a clever combination of the 

 different tricks. Each animal was taught a particular part and 

 merely obeyed the signals of the exhibition. 



TO STAND ON HIS HEAD AND TO WALK ON HIS FORE LEGS. 



The term " standing on the head " is applied to a " wrong 

 end up " position though the animal is actually supported by his 



WALKING ON FORE LEGS. 



