MEMOIR OP JOHN HUNTER. 43 



yond Brompton, and built upon it a house, well 

 known by the name of Earl's Court. This was his 

 Tusculanum, his favourite summer retreat, where 

 he spent a large portion of his time, and provided, 

 at great expense, accommodation for the animals he 

 collected around him. No person of common cu- 

 riosity could pass this original dwelling without ma- 

 king inquiry concerning its proprietor; and, on a 

 nearer survey, a lawn was discovered in the rear, 

 crowded with birds and beasts, and creeping things, 

 of the strangest selection in nature. 



His fondness for his pursuits, and his repeated 

 watchings of the peculiar habits and instincts of 

 these animals, made many of them familiar with 

 him. This, however, was not unattended with risk, 

 and sometimes brought him into situations of dan- 

 ger, of which the following instance may be given. 

 Two leopards which were kept chained in an out- 

 house had broken from their confinement, arid got 

 into the yard among some dogs, which they imme- 

 diately attacked. The howling produced, alarmed 

 not only the menagerie, ,but ihe whole neighbour- 

 hood. Upon running hurriedly into the yard to 

 see what was the matter, Mr Hunter found one of 

 the leopards scaling the wall, and about to make 

 his escape, while the other was beset by the dogs, 

 and fully engaged with his opponents. Mr Hun- 

 ter immediately seized both, arid carried them back 

 to their den ; but no sooner were they secured, and 

 tune was allowed to reflect upon the risk to which 



