Spirit Of Jefferson

The Man Fish—A Curious and Amphibious Human in Exhibition,
Mankind, it is said, includes a great many
odd fish, but certainly none deserves the title
more than that abnormal mortal, Harry
Guerr, who is now one of the attractions at
the Tammany. His performance is decidedly
unique. The curtains, on rising, reveal a
large glass tank, nearly filled with water, and
brilliantly lighted by a row of gas jets. Soon
a man dressed in a close-fitting garb of tin
scales appears on the stage, and makes obeisance
to the audience. A short stoutly built
man he is, young and florid. After the preliminary
bow, he walks to the tank, clambering
up its side, and plunges in, turning
and twisting about under the water with apparent
ease, and only once in a great while
coming to the surface to breathe.
During all this time his every movement is
visible to the audience and they can see that
while under water he smiles to them, holds
his mouth wide open, and really seems to be
as much in his element as the gold fish with
which the tank is peopled. Moreover, he eats
under water, opens a bottle of milk and drinks
the contents, and manages to convey a lighted
pipe beneath the surface, and protests that on
emerging that it can be smoked with ease.
His performance is altogether unique, and
certainly shows a novelty and ingenuity that
can scarcely be surpassed. Guerr earns his
living fairly, and for thus making of himself
every night a "dem'd moist disagreeable body,"
deserves the gratitude of all who may wish
to support the theory that water is the natural
element of man. -N. Y. Evening Post.