THE LION. $27 



A lioness, kept at the Tower in 1773, became greatly 

 attached to a little dog who was her constant companion. 

 When the lioness was about to whelp the dog was removed j 

 but shortly after the accouchement the dog contrived to enter 

 the den, and approached the lioness with his usual fondness. 

 She, alarmed for her cubs, immediately seized him, and seemed 

 about to kill him 5 but, as if suddenly recollecting their former 

 friendship, she carried him to the door of the den, and allowed 

 him to be withdrawn unhurt. 



A lion and a lioness were sent as a present from the Bey of 

 Constantine to the King of France, and were placed in the 

 Jar din des Plant es at Paris. Their keeper, whose name was 

 Cassal, used to walk into their cage whenever he pleased j 

 speak to the male or female alternately with great kindness ; 

 flatter them by gentle arts, pat and kiss them. At his com- 

 mand they would separate, and each retire to the distinct 

 apartment allotted to it, or they would lie down on their 

 backs, stretch out their paws, and allow him to show their 

 immense claws to the bystanders j or upon his giving them a 

 sign they would instantly open their huge jaws and display 

 their formidable masticators. A remarkable instance of their 

 attachment to their keeper occurred in 1801. The man being 

 absent through illness, committed the lions to the care of one 

 of his colleagues. This change did not appear to affect the 

 female ; but the lion retired to the corner of his den, where he 

 suddenly laid himself down, and by his low growl gave his 

 new attendant pretty plainly to understand that he would be 

 glad to dispense with his services. He seemed to entertain 

 the same feeling towards his consort ; at least he ceased to 

 take any notice of her. There was an expression of uneasiness 

 and suffering about the lion, and none dared approach him. 

 The keeper at last recovered - } and being desirous of giving the 

 lions an agreeable surprise, crept softly up to the bars of the 

 cage and laid his face beside them. As soon as the lion dis- 

 covered him, he sprang from the back of the cage, stroked 

 his keeper with his paws, licked his hands and face, and howled 



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