HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
21 
with 'Freaks of all kinds. The one redeeming 
feature of Coney Island was Staunch's Restaurant. 
I have the Bill of Fare before me as I write these 
lines. Without fear of contradiction no English 
establishment could show such an assortment of 
dishes. I was informed that any one of the 500' 
items mentioned could be served at short notice. 
The serving was excellent. Our waiter wished to 
exchange confidences. Towards the close of our 
lunch he made me his confidant — he had been in 
Leicester Square, London, some years back. Had 
I ever visited that locality? I resolved to deny 
the soft impeachment. I explained that at my 
time of life, Leicester Square would have no 
pleasures for me. This Restaurant, like many 
others, had a Dancing Platform in the centre of 
the Dining Room, and periodically, during a very 
enjoyable lunch, the " Best of Coney Islanders" 
gave us the favourite American dances. With 
paying 7 dollars 50' cents — £1 lis. 3d. — I regret- 
fully left Staunch's Restaurant. It was a good 
lunch, served in the speedy American style, by an 
English waiter. 
Before returning to town we visited Sheep- 
head Bay and Brighton Beach. These are favour- 
ite bathing resorts. The beaches were crowded 
with mixed bathers. It was a glorious day. The 
young people were out in their thousands to enjoy 
Independance Day, and to every appearance did 
so. I returned to the Union Square Hotel worn 
and weary, and only trust that the many thousands 
out on that day spent an equally enjoyable time; 
that being so, they had the time of their lives. 
Thursday, July 5th, was spent inspecting the 
retail Bird Stores of New York City. These es- 
tablishments were models of good order and clean- 
liness. The prices asked were extraordinary. 
;£20, ,£30, and even £50, was asked for the 
ordinary talking Grey Parrots. Canaries also in 
proportion. 
In the evening I paid my first visit to an 
American Theatre described at follows : — 
ZIEGFELD ROOF 
Atop the New Amsterdam Theatre. 
The Meeting Place of the World. 
Ziegfeld Midnight Frolic. 
This Theatre under normal conditions with 
every seat occupied can be emptied in less than 
three minutes. Look around now, choose the 
nearest exit to your seat, and in case of dis- 
turbance of any kind, to avoid the dangers of 
Panic, Walk (do not run) to that exit. 
Complying with the new Municipal Regu- 
lations, no Refreshments will be served after 
one o'clock. The Ziegfeld Roof will close 
promptly at one twentv-five; the attention of 
our patrons is respectfully called to these Rules. 
General Stage Director ... Ned Wavburn. 
This Theatre is situated atop of The New 
Amsterdam Theatre. It opens at 10.30 p.m. and 
closes 1.25 p.m. Quite a large proportion of the 
stage is in the centre of the Theatre where danc- 
ing takes place before and during the frequent 
intervals of the performance. A coloured orches- 
tra. With the exception of the Charity Bazaar 
at the Royal Albert Hall, it was the most bril- 
liantly lighted Theatre that I ever visited. The 
decorations and appointments were extraordinary. 
The performance excellent. Ned Wayburn is to 
be congratulated on such a production. It was my 
night of nights, and for just two hours I lived in 
another world. Good seats were obtained for 3.50 
— 14/6 — each. The Ziegfeld Danse de Follies 
will ever recall sweet and pleasant memories from 
me. 
Friday, July 6th, was spent in completing 
business arrangements and wishing adieu to my 
American friends. The business men seldom come 
to town on Saturdays, and as I was sailing Mon- 
day, Friday was spent in adieus. 
Saturday, July 7th, after booking my berth 
at the White Star Line Office, I paid a visit to the 
Aquarium, situated at Battery Point. It certainly 
is The Aquarium of the World. The nearest ap- 
proach to it, so far as my memory serves me, 
would be The Tower Aquarium at Blackpool. 
Of course, New York has everything in its 
favour as regards the collection of fish. It is some 
few days from Bermuda and Key West, where the 
highly coloured fishes are found. I noticed in 
the collection Cow Fish from Manos. A very 
fine Manatee to all appearance in the best possible 
condition. I was informed by the Attendant that 
it eat readily of bread, lettuce, with other green 
stuffs. One Californian Sea Lion. At first I 
took this to be a Stellars, but was informed that 
it was the ordinary variety. With the greatest 
respect to those in authority. I still have my 
doubts. Specimens of the Red Snapper, Soft-shell 
Mud Turtle, Green Turtle, with thousands of other 
fish, which my poor pen could never describe. 
The great success, from my point of view, that 
the New York Aquarium has with its specimens 
is the liberal size of the tanks, the constant supply 
of salt water, coupled with its all round general 
arrangements. It is certainly one of the sights of 
New York. 
Sunday, July 8th. — Leaving New York, 9.30 
a.m., by the excursion steamer, "Mary Patten," 
for Long Branch, New Jersey. A very agreeable 
run down past Highlands, Seabright, to Pleasure 
Bay, Long Branch. The town itself is some 3 
miles away on the sea front, and is reached by 
tramcar. It is a favourite bathing resort. The 
"Mary Patten" discharged us at Pleasure Bay 
Pier. We lunched directly opposite at "The 
Bridge Water Inn at the "Summer Capitol." 
This was my first and last American lunch. Here 
is the menu : — 
