THE LION. 113 



?rved a look of magnanimous composure, and on 

 ie entrance or exit of a new visitor, would merely 

 ok slowly round. 



But the most docile lion which has occurred to 

 ur own observation, was one in a travelling me- 

 lagerie at Amsterdam, where, it may be remarked, 

 lat all the animals shewed a remarkable degree of 

 'imeness and familiarity. The lion alluded to, af- 

 er being pulled about, and made to shew his teeth, 

 ;c., was required to exhibit ; two young men in 

 incy dresses entered the spacious cage, and in the 

 lean time, the lion, apparently perfectly aware of 

 rhat he had to do, walked composedly round. 

 le was now made to jump over a rope held at dif- 

 ?rent heights ; next through a hoop and a barrel, 

 nd again through the same covered with paper, 

 this lie did freely, compressing himself to go 

 Irough the narrow space, and alighting graceful- 

 His next feat was to repeat the leaps through 

 be hoop and barrel with the paper set on fire ; this 

 e evidently disliked, but with some coaxing went 

 brough each. The animals were now all fed, but 

 be lion had not yet completed his share in the night's 

 ntertainment, and was required to shew his forbear- 

 nee by parting with his food. The keeper entered 

 he cage and took it repeatedly from him, no farther 

 esistance than a short clutch and growl was expressed; 

 lis countenance had, however, lost its serenity, and 

 low long his good temper would have continued, is 

 H 



