276 THE LION. 



which his genefosity had spared. I shall mention a, 

 single instance : — A Dog was put into the cage of a 

 Lion in them enagerie at the Tower, some years ago, 

 for his food. The stately animal^ however, spared its 

 life ; and they lived together for a considerable time 

 in the same den, in the most perfect harmony, and 

 appeared to have a great aifection for each othef. 

 The Dog had sometimes the impudence to growl 

 at the Lion, and even to dispute with him the foOd, 

 which was thrown to them ; so true is the old pro- 

 verb, " Familiarity breeds contempt :" but the no- 

 ble animal was never known to chastise the imper- 

 tinent conduct of his little companion ; but usually- 

 suffered it to eat quietly till it was satisfied, before 

 he began his own repast *. 



A Lioness, at present in the Museum of Natural 

 History at Paris, permits a Dog to live in her dert, 

 and is excessively fond of it. She seems both plea- 

 sed and gratified by its caresses : she is attentive to 

 all its wants ; and is unhappy whenever it is remov- 

 ed, though for a few moments only, from her sight, 

 The keepers assert that to this singular attachment 

 alone, they are indebted for the tranquillity with 

 which she has hitherto supported the loss of her li- 

 berty^. 



Instances have even occurred of his merely chas- 

 tising his pursuers, withput destroying them. A 

 Hottentot of the Cape, was thus bit in the face by 

 a Lion, who then stalked away, A farmer lay for 



* Cinirch. 

 t La Menagerie du Museum National d'Uistoi|-e Naturelle. 



