The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-02 00:00:00

Al'llle.4.

COLONIAL PEDIODICALS.—A periodical work, called
the &OA African Journal, is now published at the Cape
of Good Hope every two months. It is edit, will taint,
and is very superior to any of the colonial publications
which we have seen. It contains articles of touch Murat
to naturalists, and agreeable and useful information for the
general reader. The natural !lister): and agriculture, as
well as local information, cud a Chronicle (dermas, tender
it of no inconsiderable interest even in this country.
EFFECT or THE Ilear•N EYE ON AN131•1.5.--A nth
African writer observes, that " The Becintana Chief, old
Peysho (now in Cape Town) conversing with me a few
days ago about the wild animals of Africa, made some re-
marks on the lion, which perfectly correspond with the
accounts I have obtained from the boor; and ilestentms.
The lion, he said, very seldom attacks man if unprovoked,
but he will frequently approach within a few paces, and
survey him steadily ; and sometimes he will attempt to
get behind him, as if he could net stand his luck, bat was
yet desirous of springing firon hint unawares. If a person
111 such circumstances attempts either to tight or ev, he
incurs the most imminent peril ; but if he has sufficient
presence of mind coolly to confront him, withoat am a.:-
ance of either terror or aggression, the animal W. 3 in
almest every instance, after a little space, retie:. Bat 112
added, that when a lion has once conquered min, le, be-
comes tenfold more fierce and villanelle than he wu 'tame,
and will even come into the kraals in search of him, ik
preference to other prey. This epicure partiality to int.
man flesh in these too-knowing lions, does not, in Pey
sho's opinion, spring either from neeestsity or appt:titc,
much u from the naked wickedness of their hearts.
The overmastering effect of the human eye upon the hem
has been frequently mentioned, though muds doubted by
travellers: but from my own inquiries among lion-hunters,
I am perfectly satisfied of the fact ; and au anecdote
which was related to me a few days ago by Major Macin-
tosh (lsteer the East India Company's service),proves the
this fascinating effect is not restricted exclusively to the
lion. An ()dicer in India (whose name I have forgot, bat
who was well-known to my informant), having chanced
to rainlde into a jungle adjoining the lirtt;sh encenipn-amt.
suddenly encountered a royal tiger. The reneontre apr
pealed equally utiespected on both sides, and berth pardte
made a dead halt, earnestly gazing on each ether. TLe
gentleman had no fire-arms, and was aware that a sword
would he no effective defence in a struggle for life with
such an antagonist. But he list h, and that even the
Bengal tiger might be soinclinics checked by leek;eg him
firmlf in the face. lie am se In a few minutes the
tiger, which appeared preparing to make his fatal sprit;:.
grew disturbed, slunk aside, aril attempt...; to creep rOilrit
upon him bellied. The Meer tiened constant,: upon
the tiger, which still continued to shrink fro:n his Glance
but darting into the thicket, and again issuing forth at a
different quarter, it persevered for above an hour in this
attempt to catch him by surprise ; till at last it fairy
yielded the contest, and left the gentleman to pursue has
',least:re-:o4r. The direction he now took, as may be
easily believed, was straight to the tents, at double ':k
time