1850-51 THE HIPPOPOTAMUS 357 



scene, I just happened to see Parodi, before 

 throwing down the altar, give one of the un- 

 fortunate chorus-girls a sly kick and a vicious 

 pinch. It seems the poor " chorus " was in her 

 way. Parodi and Sims Reeves played together. 

 The latter's fine voice was overstrained to make it 

 go with hers.' 



In March the Zoological Society had a young 

 hippopotamus ' on sale or return.' ' At the Gardens 

 to-day,' Mrs. Owen writes, 'there was an amusing 

 scene with the young hippopotamus now there on 

 approval, price only 350/.! It was let out of its 

 house for us to see, and when once out was so 

 much pleased with its liberty and the great tank 

 of water, that it declined to go back. Good- 

 natured Hunt tried to tempt it with all sorts of 

 enticing bits, but we left him still unsuccessful. 

 The creature was just like a spoilt child, and 

 showed a spirit of obstinacy very pig-like ' 



'April 12. — R, to take the chair at the Royal 

 Society, and underwent the penance (to him) of 

 " rain admeasurements falling in India." As soon 

 as that was over he hurried off to Mr. Mitchell, 

 who wanted his opinion with regard to a rhino- 

 ceros which is also for sale. Demurs of the Council 

 because of the expense of the hippopotamus.' 



This hippopotamus was ultimately purchased 

 by the Zoological Society, and proved a great 

 attraction, as may be seen from the following 

 entry : ' Went to look at the new hippopotamus. 



