72 
HAMLYN 'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
I have received many enquiries as to the 
origination of "namby-pamby" in the advertise- 
ment. 
Some considerable time ago I received a very 
well written letter from a country lad, seeking em- 
ployment with animals. He sent references, one 
from the Curate (this did not appeal to me much), 
another from his Scoutmaster, stating the appli- 
cant was an enthusiastic naturalist, and another 
from his mother who was eager he should have 
an experience in London town, which might make 
a man of him. Mother and son appeared by ap'- 
pointment. He was a nice boy, rather overgrown, 
a regular mother's boy. He was not afraid of 
anything. The feeding and cleaning of- tw r o^ hun- 
dred ferrets was, perhaps, too hard a task for the 
first day's work. He was tired. On the next 
day we had an Air Raid; that settled it. He was 
found missing during the progress of the Raid. 
In somewhat forcible language I explained that 
we did not stop work for Air Raids. We carried 
on. Since then he has been missing. 
I cannot do better than insert the following 
article which appeared in "The People," 6th Janu- 
ary, 1318. It explains the matter fully. 
THE HUNT FOR WILD BEASTS. 
600^ WOULD-BE ADVENTURERS. 
It was only an article of a few lines, tucked 
away in an inside page of last Sunday's "People," 
that announced to all whom it might concern that 
Mr. Hamlyn, well-known the world over as a 
dealer in wild animals was on the look-out for a 
boy to train in the art of buying and despatching 
the quarries which fell to the wiles, or guns, of 
hunters of far-off lands. Yet it was sufficient to 
fire the ambition of some 60O youths — and not a 
few girls as well — all of whom were desirous of 
trying their hands at this novel occupation. Bv 
every post came letters from all parts of the 
country from the " young idea," all keen on 
tracking down wild beasts in their lairs and secur- 
ing them for the English market. In despair we 
communicated with Mr. Hamlyn as to what should 
be done with the applications from these would-be 
adventurers, and in response to an invitation a 
"People" representative "ran him to earth" at 
his establishment at St. George's Street, London. 
Dock, E., and learnt at first hand what would be 
required of those whom he was willing to train in 
this unique and fascinating calling. Mr. Hamlvn 
is himself an old hunter of wild animals, and what 
he does not know about this pastime .is scarce 
worth knowing. 
THE GRIXNIXG CHIMPANZEE. 
Mr. Hamlyn discussed the matter with our 
• representative at his depot in St. George's Street, 
to the accompaniment of shrill screeches from par- 
rots and other feathered pets from far-off lands, 
and the menacing grins of a young female chim- 
panzee, who seemed to evince a decided inclina- 
tion to claw any stranger who got near her cage. 
From Slnday, soon after "The People" was pub- 
lished, to Tuesday, the telephone was ringing con- 
stantly from applicants, said Mr. Hamlyn. Among 
them are miners, engineer and dock apprentices, 
air mechanics, actors, aeroplane and munition 
workers, butlers, footmen, steel workers, clerks, 
seamen apprentices, soldiers, university, public 
school, and L.C.C. men, and several young 
women. 
The applications came from all parts of Great 
Britain, Scotland, and Ireland, but the majority 
from the London district. Mr. Hamlyn pointed 
out that he cannot engage a youth of 17, as he 
is approaching military age. 
THE BOY WITH THE MEASLES. 
The ages ranged from B|- to> 22, and the most 
insistent applications came from youths. Fathers 
and mothers wrote for their sons, wounded sol- 
diers from hospitals. A Ramsgate applicant was 
ill in bed with the measles, but, not to be denied, 
his mother wrote asking Mr. Hamlyn to go down 
and interview him with a view to engagement 
after his recovery ! One of the most likely appli- 
cants was a young man who can speak Hindustani 
having travelled in India. "My chief amuse- 
ment is jungling," he wrote. 
A REAL TOMBOY. 
Here is a letter from a girl of 2.2. : — 
" Have you thought that if .you cannot 
find a boy with love of adventure, you could 
bnd a girl? I have a great love of it, but 
none comes my "way, excjept in my own 
imagination, and that my life has been in a 
sense one long adventure since I was born. 
There is a lot of adventure under people's 
very noses, and yet they do not see it. I 
come of an adventurous stock, so I suppose 
it is in my blood. Ever since I can remem- 
ber I have wanted something to do with 
animals, and have never been afraid of them. 
I am used to hardships and there is nothing 
namby-pamby about me. Women have been 
roughing it in all sorts of ways since the time 
of Eve. I am strong and healthy and a real 
Tomboy, and old enough to be able to take 
care of myself, being 22." 
Another girl, "with love of adventure in her 
veins," says : — 
"I should like to have the job, but alas ! 
I am a young woman, though with the love 
of adventure and trade in my veins. I am 
keen and with a strong will power and a good 
one for driving a bargain. I am now out of 
work and thought I would write vou and 
