205 LETTER XXXIV. 



Bears are found in most countries \vhence an in- 

 creased population has not expelled them : but they 

 seem to prefer a cold, or at least a temperate climate. 

 The Romans exhibited numbers of them in their 

 public spectacles. They were once common in this 

 island, and were included in the ancient laws respect- 

 ing beasts of chace. Long after their extirpation they 

 were imported for the inhuman purpose of baiting 

 them, and it is much to be regretted that this cruel 

 diversion is still used in many parts of this enlight- 

 ened kingdom. It is much to be wished that every 

 exhibition of this kind were prohibited under severe 

 penalties, that so Englishmen might not be reproached 

 with delighting in amusements disgraceful to hnrnan 

 nature. 



Every trait of humane and generous feeling dis- 

 played by illustrious characters, reflects honour not 

 only on themselves, but also on the nation which 

 their virtues serve to adorn. 



A very fine bear having some years ago been pre- 

 sented to the Prince of Wales, was kept in the 

 Tower. By the carelessness of the servant, the door 

 of his den had been left open, and the keeper's wife- 

 happening to go across the room^ the animal flew out, 

 seized the woman, threw her clown, and fastened 

 on her neck, which he bit, and without offering any 

 further violence, lay upon her, sucking her blood. 

 Resistance being in vain, she must have inevitably 

 perished, had not her husband fortunately discovered 

 her situation. By a sudden and well aimed blow, he 

 obliged the bear to quit his hold and retive to his den, 

 which he did with great reluctance, and not with- 

 out making a second attempt to reach the wo- 

 man, who was almost dead with fear and the loss of 

 blood. It is remarkable, that whenever the animal 

 happened to see her afterwards, it growled, and made 

 violent etibrts to get to her. His royal highness,, 

 upon hearing of the circumstance, immediately or- 

 dered the bear to be killed. You will find this fact 

 related in Mr. Bewick's celebrated history of quad- 

 rupeds, and it reflects greater honor on his royal 



