HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
In the evening, after dinner, "Johnnie" 
usually came and sat close to my mother, resting 
his head on the chair she sat on, and would often 
lick her hand. He was always fed (a bowl of raw 
meat) just before ten o'clock, and punctually, at 
about five minutes to, he would get up, and com- 
mence walking up and down before the fire place, 
occasionally looking towards the door, but he 
never left his beat. 
His bowl was given him on the hearth rug, 
and no one but "The Tortoiseshell Lady" ever 
went near him till it was empty ! 
His bones (raw, of course) I always, gave him 
when he went to bed to amuse him in his straw. 
Except for shutting him in at night, and on 
very rare occasions in the day time, I treated him 
much as I should a large dog. 
At a year and eight months he was a big 
strapping chap, and I thought he should go back 
to the dens, but my mother thought he was un- 
happy there, so back he came to his "mansion" 
in my study and, of course, "The Tortoiseshell 
Lady," too. 
For nearly another year he stayed in the 
house, but "Johnnie" was never treated like an 
ordinary lion, and after then came in to see 
visitors. He was just a "great good tempered 
thing," except when he had his meat or bones — 
then no one must go near. "The Tortoiseshell 
Lady" was the one privileged person ! 
Mr. G. 0. STARR DEAD. 
It is with very great regret that I announce 
the death of Mr. G. O. Starr, late Manager of the 
Crystal Palace, which occurred at Sydenham last 
week. 
Some twenty-six years ago, I heard that the 
celebrated American Combination comprising the 
Barnum and Bailey Show were coming to Europe, 
making London their first port of call. 
The same day I received that information, I 
cabled the American Headquarters of the Barnum 
Show offering to undertake the landing and clear- 
ing of their vast show. 
I undertook, firstly, to obtain the necessary 
permits for landing the various live stock from 
The Board of Trade, and pass the usual declara- 
tions through the Customs. 
To arrange for the reception of the Show in 
The Royal Albert Docks, Gallions Basin, also the 
very serious question of charges incidental thereto, 
this entailed many visits to Leadenhall Street 
where the figures were finally adjusted. I might 
say, in passing, that the Head of that Depart- 
ment at that time — Mr. Lefeaux — gave us every 
possible facility to expedite all matters in connec- 
tion with rates and charges, to arrange with the 
various Railway Companies and Contractors for 
the delivery of show material at Olympia. 
And finally to pilot the show from The Royal 
Albert Docks to Olympia, Kensington, which took 
place three nights in succession, leaving Gallions 
Royal Albert Dock about midnight and arriving 
at Olympia about six in the morning. For three 
nights the streets of London were disturbed by 
the greatest procession that ever was or will be 
seen in connection with circus life. 
The Elephants, Zebras, Camels, Deer, etc., 
all marched through silently and swiftly without 
accident. 
They were, of course, all trained animals, 
but the led Elks, Stags, and other Deer, was the 
most wonderful sight that ever I saw. 
The receipt of my cable at Bridgeport, Conn., 
rather startled the working partner, Mr. James A. 
Bailey. He wondered what sort of Englishman 
would dare to undertake the clearing and landing 
of his vast aggregation of novelties. However, 
much to my surprise, a cable arrived instructing 
me to call ati the Strand offices to interview Mr. G. 
O. Starr. That was my first introduction to that 
gentleman, who ultimately proved to be the most 
genial and kind-hearted man that ever I met in 
connection with show life. Mr. Starr was very 
brief and to the point. What guarantee could I 
give to carry out what was really a great under- 
taking? He explained that the slightest delay 
would mean disaster. 
I suggested that he should accompany me to 
the various Government Departments, also the 
Dock office. Our first visit was to The Board of 
Agriculture, and I presume that the manner in 
which I arranged that particular business con- 
vinced him that there was no fear of my failing to 
carry out the work in its entirety. Terms were 
there and' then arranged, and the landing of the 
show proceeded without accident or delay. 
One incident in connection with this work I 
shall never forget. On the evening of the third 
day, after delivering the last portion of the Show, 
I was sent for by Mr. Starr. He was with Mr. 
James A. Bailey. On entering the private office, 
both gentlemen rose, shaking my hand very en- 
thusiastically, and at the same' time tendering 
their thanks for delivering the Show to time and 
without accident. 
Mr. Starr's grip was the heartiest shake that 
I ever received in connection with business life. 
My last interview with him was some twelve 
