IS HISTORY OF THE LION. 



puffs in his bills the feats he performs, and the liberties he 

 will allow. Great pains is therefore taken in his education 

 or training, and the animal really becomes attached, and 

 appears to go through his exhibitions with a sort of 

 pleasure." A lion called " Nero, (well known in Worn- 

 bell's managerie,) was of a remarkably mild disposition, 

 and allowed his keepers every liberty. Strangers were 

 frequently introduced into the den, which became a nightly 

 exhibition the visitors riding and sitting on his back. 

 Nero, during the while, preserved a look of magnanimous 

 composure ; and on the entrance or exit of a new visitor, 

 would merely look slowly round." 



From these and many other interesting accounts of a 

 similar character, it appears that the lion with all his 

 native ferocity can be subdued by the ingenuity and tui- 

 tion of man. A fear or regard for the master or keeper is 

 always manifested; and there are many instances, after 

 long absence, of marked pleasure being shown on meeting 

 again. Major Hamilton Smith relates an anecdote which 

 came under his own observation, showing great deference 

 for the keeper. 



" A keeper of wild beasts in this city (New-York), had 

 provided himself, on the approach of winter, with a fur cap. 

 The novelty of his costume attracted the notice of the lion, 

 who, making a sudden grapple, tore the cap off his head 

 as he passed the cage ; but perceiving the keeper was the 

 person whose head he had thus uncovered, he immediately 

 lay down. The same animal once hearing a noise under 

 his cage, passed his paw through the bars, and actually 

 hauled up the keeper, who was cleaning beneath ; but as 

 soon as he perceived that he had ill-used his master, he 

 instantly lay down upon his back, in an attitude of com- 

 plete submission." 



By great attention to cleanliness and feeding, and the 

 general health of the animal, .the proprietors of several 



