THE RED LIONS 129 



at the dinner of the Red Lions, a Society of which 

 Dr. T. G. Bonney, F.R.S., writes the following account: — 



The Red Lions. 



The Red Lions are a sort of Society or Club, composed 

 of members of the British Association. Their object is 

 convivial, and they may be said to sleep for all but one 

 evening in the year, when, during the Meeting of the 

 Association, they assemble for dinner. The arrange- 

 ments for this are made by two members, called Jackals. 

 How these are elected (I think they continue in office 

 unless prevented from coming to a Meeting) ; what body 

 elect a "new Lion" (who, I think, unless a permanent 

 official of the Association, goes through a year of pro- 

 bation — when he is called a cub), I do not know. I do 

 not remember to have seen any copy of rules and they 

 may be only traditional, but rules there are. The 

 Chairman (how elected I do not know) is generally one 

 of the senior members of the Association, known to be 

 humorous and ready of speech — like the late Sir F. 

 Bramwell or Sir J. Evans. He is called the King Lion. 

 A card is sent by the Jackals to each member (Lion A) 

 to say that " Bones will be provided at such a place and 

 hour " * It is understood that each Lion will be as 

 humorous as in him lies and abstain from anything hke 

 serious talk with his neighbour. After dinner comic 

 songs are sung, ladicrous speeches delivered, burlesque 

 lectures or papers given, which are often most amusing. 

 At York, I remember—in 1881 — the late Roberts Austen 

 gave a parody of Prof. Tyndall, and his brother Jackal, 

 Atcheson (afterwards Secretary) also dehvered a laugh- 

 able piece of nonsense. When dinner is announced, the 

 " Lions " roar approvingly as they go into the room ; and 

 shake the tails of their coats — supposed to be wagging 

 their tails. If the dinner is delayed or anything is not 

 to their liking they growl ; if they approve, they roar and 



* A few guests, usually gentlemen from the place of meeting, specially 

 connected with the Association, are invited. 



K 



