18 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Anecdotes of the lion's clemency. 



and even to dispute with him the food that was- 

 thrown into the den: but the lion, instead of 

 chastising the impertinence of his companion, 

 usually suffered him to eat quietly before he be- 

 gan his own repast. 



This natural magnanimity, and contempt for 

 inferior enemies, has induced many persons to 

 relate wonderful, and in some instances, altoge- 

 ther incredible stories respecting this royal beast. 



" A Jacobin monk, at Versailles," says the Pere 

 Labat, " being in slavery at Mequinez, resolved, 

 with a companion, to attempt his escape. They 

 got out of their prison, and travelled during the 

 night only, to a considerable distance, resting in 

 the woods by day, and hiding themselves amongst 

 the bushes. At the end of the second night they 

 came to a pond. This was the first water they 

 had seen since their escape, and of course they 

 approached it with great eagerness; but when 

 they were at a little distance from the bank, they 

 observed a lion. After some consultation, they 

 agreed to go up to the animal, and submissively 

 to implore his pity; accordingly they kneeled 

 before the beast, and in a mournful tone related 

 their misfortunes and miseries. The lion, as they 

 told the story, seemed affected at the relation, 

 and withdrew to some distance from the water; 

 this gave the boldest of the men an opportunity 

 of going down to the pond, and filling his vessels, 

 whilst the other continued his lamentable oration*. 



