1833-36 ARTILLERY COMPANY'S PRACTICE 99 



they could scarcely be held in by the attendants. 

 One animal got so excited that M. Thiebaut called 

 out, ' Laissez aller,' &c, and they allowed the 

 pretty creature to bite some of the young shoots 

 off the tree. They were delighted apparently to 

 get into the Gardens, and were soon safe and 

 unhaltered in the elephants' new house. One of 

 the attendants had his cheeks gashed for ornament 

 — three cuts on each side. We then visited the 

 sick lion — better, but not out of danger. The 

 giraffes had to have a light at night, as they would 

 not rest quietly without it. M. Thiebaut very 

 tired. He said he had not had his boots off for 

 two days. We stayed in the Gardens till 7, and 

 then went home to breakfast.' 



' 28M. — R. and I at half-past 1 to the Ar- 

 tillery Ground. The Artillery Company went 

 on with their evolutions till half-past 5, and 

 must have been pretty well tired, especially those 

 who worked the big gun. Richard came to us in 

 his regimentals when it was all over, and we all 

 admired him for his soldier-like appearance. As 

 I walked home with my father by Chiswell and 

 Barbican, we met a crowd of men and boys run- 

 ning after, or by the side of, a large curly black 

 dog. I was just saying to my father, " I am sure 

 that dog is not mad," and was beginning to feel 

 indignant with the people for chasing it, when a 

 fire-engine came tearing after them loaded with 

 the firemen in helmets. My father then said that 



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