28 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
has failed in procuring him the necessary supply, that, 
urged by those inward cravings, which are the ruling 
impulse of all his actions, he prowls abroad under the 
veil of night, and ventures to approach the dwellings of 
man, of whom he does not appear to feel that instinctive 
awe which the Lion has been known so frequently to 
evince. But even on such occasions, and although im- 
pelled by the strong stimulus of famine, he is in general 
far from unmindful of his own security; but creeps 
slowly along his silent path with all the stealthy caution 
so characteristic of the feline tribe. Occasionally, how- 
ever, when the pangs of hunger have become intolerable, 
and can no longer be controlled even by the overpower- 
ing sway of instinct, he will boldly advance upon man 
himself in the open face of day, and brave every danger 
in the pursuit of that object which, to the exclusion of 
every other sentiment, appears under such circumstances 
wholly to engross his faculties. 
It is evident then that in the general outline of his 
habits, and even in most of the separate traits by which 
his character is marked, he differs but little from the 
Lion. His courage, if brute force stimulated by sensual 
appetite can deserve that honourable name, is at least 
equal; and as for magnanimity and generosity, the idea 
of attributing such noble qualities to either is in itself so 
absurd, and is so fully refuted by every particular of 
their authentic history, that it would be perfectly ridicu- 
lous to attempt a comparison where no materials for 
comparison exist. It may, however, be observed that in 
one point the disposition of the Tiger appears to be 
more cruel than that of the Lion; inasmuch as it is 
related, that he is not at all times satisfied with a single 
