HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
absolutely original. It copies none. It never was 
intended to be a source of profit, and was only 
started because certain Amateurs arrogated to 
themselves the ludicrous idea of "running this 
trade." 
They have, however, made a grievous mis- 
take. These remarks touch once more upon the 
scheme which was on the verge of being foisted 
on the British Public in 1914 of forming a Syndi- 
cate to capture the Wild Beast Trade of the 
world. The capital, I was informed, would be 
.£5, 000. Truly a wonderful and magnificent sum ! 
The amount of intended capital proves their abso- 
lue ignorance of the Wild Beast Trade. Take for 
instance that wonderful collection of animals 
shewn at Olympia three years ago; I refer to 
"The Wonder Zoo." 
The cost of animals alone was about £20,000, 
and even then their owner had not the monopoly 
'of the Wild Beast Trade. Twenty years agoi I 
was the London Agent of one of the largest dealers 
in the world. It was nothing unusual for me to 
handle transports of animals of the values from 
£5,000 to £10,000 each. 
One of my own expeditions to the Congo in 
a very small way was of the value of £21,500. To 
participate in the Wild Beast Trade in normal 
times would mean a capital of £50,000 at the least, 
and that would be only a small venture. In Great 
Britain we are, hampered by too many rules and 
regulations for us ever to capture this trade. Our 
enlightened Government implore- us to carry on 
"Business as Usual." My experience the last 
two years has been that every possible obstacle 
is placed in the way of legitimate trade. Fresh 
regulations appear every week. They are amusing 
if not instructive. It is seldom you can get a plain 
interpretation, for no two officials are ever of the 
same opinion. Still I live and learn and presume 
my readers are doing likewise. It was my inten- 
tion to place before my readers a few remarks on 
the Censor Department, but I have no words in 
my vocabulary strong enough for that particular 
branch of the Service. 
When I inform my readers that Telegraphic 
Bank Drafts have been delayed for a week, and 
longer, they will, I trust, excuse my making any 
further references to this distinguished Depart- 
ment. We all live in strenuous times. 
In conclusion, I have many articles from well 
known writers, which will, I am sure, interest all 
subscribers to "Hamlyn's Menagerie Magazine," 
1916 — 17. The subscription is only 10/-; send it 
along ! 
JOHN D. HAMLYN. 
My Recollections of Menageries and 
Circuses in the past nearly 70 years. 
By John Birkett. 
To me as a boy, when any menagerie or cir- 
cus was announced to visit the town in which I 
was born and brought up, nothing was so import- 
ant as going to see them; I often met them on 
the road, and, when once on the show-ground, 
scarcely left it till their departure. 
Throughout all my life I have had the same 
tastes,, and in consequence think my recollections 
might be interesting, not only to those now in the 
business, but to a large portion of the public in 
general. These recollections of mine go back to 
the early 40 : 's of last century. 
Wombwell's Menagerie is, of course, the 
oldest and beset known name, for it is known on 
the Continent of Europe, the Colonies, and 
America, and is quite a household word. I knew 
the founder, George Wombwell, when I was quite 
a boy, and will treat of him and his three shows as 
I proceed. I remember among Menageries, those 
of Hylton, Atkin, Manders, Batty, Stevens, Sy- 
monds, Day, etc., etc.; Circuses also without 
number, Van Amburgh's, Wm. Cooke's, San- 
ger's, Ginnett's, Barnum's, Hengler's, Xew- 
some's, etc. 
With the exception of Wombwell's Men- 
agerie, the shows of the past were nothing in 
comparison with those we see now. That of Van 
Amburgh, who was the first to combine the beasts 
and circus, was considered a monster affair; but 
you might have put his whole lot into one of the 
tents you see now. Van Amburgh gave a circus 
performance and also himself did the lion perfor- 
mance. He was the first to make a sensation in 
driving eight horses in hand. I remember seeing 
a picture of him driving past Hyde Park Corner; 
this picture I saw some forty years since when on 
a visit to Dumfries. 
In the show business, as in all others, some 
are successful, and other go to the wall. 
George Wombwell commenced life as a shoe- 
maker, and his first venture in the show business 
was the purchase of some snakes, which he ex- 
hibited, and was so successful with them that he 
began his caravan travels. This was in 1805, and 
at his death, which occurred at Northallerton, in 
Yorkshire, in 1851, he had three large collections 
of wild beasts. 
Very shortly before Mr. Geo. Wombwell's 
death the menagerie paid a visit to Kendal, and 
was advertised for two days, but as it became 
known that the ground usually allotted for shows 
to exhibit on was occupied by some refuse stones 
from some buildings, (here was no room for the 
menagerie. Accordingly the Mayor was ap- 
proached, and he gave permission for it to stand 
