i88 



HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



with which ft would often play in the mod diverting 

 manner. — From thefe circumftances, one might be led 

 to fuppofe, that the difpofition of the Tiger, like that of 

 many other animals, was capable of fome degree of cul- 

 ture. But it ought to be remembered, that at the time 

 this one was taken on board the (hip, it was only a 

 month or fix weeks old ; and when arrived in this coun- 

 try, it had not quite compleated a year. How much 

 longer its good humour might have continued, it is im- 

 poflible to fay : But it is much to be doubted, that the 

 fame innocent, playfulnefs would have formed a part of 

 its character when arrived at its full ftate of maturity. 



Notwithftanding the cruelty of this creature's difpofi- 

 tion, a fudden check has fometimes had a good effect in 

 preventing its meditated attack. Some ladies and gentle- 

 men, being on a party of pleafure under a made of trees 

 on the banks of a river in Bengal, were fuddenly fur- 

 prifed at feeing a Tiger ready to make its fatal fpring. 

 One of the ladies, with amazing prefence of mind, laid 

 hold of an umbrella ; and, unfurling it directly in the ani- 

 mal's face, it inftantly retired.— Another party had not 

 the fame good fortune. A Tiger darted among them 

 whilft they were at dinner, feized on a gentleman, and 

 carried him off in the fight of his difconfolate compa- 

 nions. 



They attack all kinds of animals, even the Lion ; and 

 furious combats have frequently been maintained be- 

 tween them, in which both have perifhed. 



Father Tachard gives an account of a battle between 

 a Tiger and two Elephants, at Siam j of which he was 

 an eye-witnefs. The heads, and part of the trunks of 

 the Elephants, were defended from the claws of the Ti- 

 ger by a covering made for the purpofe. They were 



