The Sun.
London, England, 1849-11-09 00:00:00

MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.

MONDAY, OCT. 27, 1849.—T0 the Zoological '
Gardens, in the Regent's-park, at 3 P.M., in time to
see the Otter fed with live Fishes, which he do
chase round his Basin in the Water, and dive after
mighty clever. 'I hen to the Wild Beats, waiting for
their Food in a terrible Rage, as I have seen others
than Wild Beasts at the Delay of Dinner. Some of
the Dens with Trees lengthwise in them for the
Beasts to climb in ; and there Lions, old and
young, Lionesses, He and She Tigers, a Jaguar, an
Ounce, a Cheetah, a Spotted and Black Leopard ;
and on the other side Hy tunas, and Pumas, and more
Leopards, and Bears. Their Yelling and Howling for
Hunger a most horrid Musique, and terrible to see the
Tigers rear on their hind Legs, and dash at their
Bars, and grin and glare at the Children outside. The
Ramping and Roaring doubled when the Keeper come
with the meat, and, Lack I how they did fly at it with
Teeth end Claws, and howl and snort over it, and
munch and crunch the Bones ! But one Hywna
droll, the Keeper passing him by, and he, thinking
he was lo go without his Meal, throwing himself on
his Back, and moaning, and almost blubbering in
Despair. Pretty, to see the Bears in their Enclosure
climb up their Post for Buns; which the Visitors
did hold to them on the End of a long Stick, and
those below fighting for the Morsels that fell ; and
their Clumsiness, and awkward Standing on their
hind Legs, excee ling comical. The White Bear, also,
swimming in his Tank, pleasant, being on the outside
of his Cage. Did note a fine old Wolf and Cubs, but
snarling and snapping over their Victuals, they seemed
not a Haopy Family. Saw the manner of Preyirg
of the Eagles and Vultures, treading on their Meat,
and tearing it up with their Beaks ; the Eagles
brave, but the Vultures base and ignoble. Yet fine
the Sight of the Great Condor Vulture, when the
Wind blew, stretching forth his huge Wings upon it;
and glad, no doubt, would have been to sail away.
The Parrots gay; but do so shriek and squall, that their
Abode do seem the Mad house of the Place. Much
takes with the Seal swimming in the Water, and
waddling on his Stomach, with his Tail and Flappers,
like a Fellow with his Legs tied for a Wager.
Diverted by the Gambols and Antics of the Monkeys
and Apes; yet almost sick to see such vile Likenesses
of ourselves : and the Apes especially loathsome and
ugly ; and to see the Crowd of Women and Ladies
gazing at them ! With great Pleasure, , yet Horror,
did view the Snakes and Lizards in the Reptile
House, and glad they could not get at me ; but
hoped to see the Boa Constrictor swallow a live
Rabbit : but did not. Bought Gingerbread Nuts
to feed the Elephant, eost me 2d., and he did please
me but I wished he had been bigger; but the
Rhinoceros-did give me great delight, and with Mirth
heard a Countryman standing by call him the Hog
in Armour. Well contented also with the Bison,
that with his huge shaggy Head and Mane; Horns,
and fiery Eyes, do look the most like a Demon I ever
didGfsee.taerrd te hn BtToiso the Camel-Leopards, graceful creatures';
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that I could hardly well gaze at them. So home,
and described to my Wife what I had seen, except
the Damsels, and did discourse with her of Natural
History ; which the Zoological Gardens do breed a
pretty Taste for among the People.-Punch.

ALARMING F
OIE
EIREAD AT BIRKEN

LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY.—One of the most serious
fires that has for some time taken place in this neigh-
bourhood happened this morning at Birkenhead,
upon the premises of Messrs. Henry Foster and Co.,
in Cleveland•street, by
,which we regret to say
that a large amount of property has been de-
stroyed, and a considerable number of hands
thrown out of employm*'nt. About a quarter-past
twelve o'clock this morning, as a party of gentle-
men were approaching the extensive premises of
Messrs. roster, they perceived a dense volume of
smoke issuing from the lower part of the building,
and in a few minutes afterwards the whole of the
lower part of the premises became suddenly enveloped
in flames, which raged with the most violent fury,
threatening serious consequences to the surrounding
property. The wind was blowing exceeding strong
at the time, which served to facilitate the rapid
progress of the flames. As soon as the
fire was perceived information was immediately
conveyed to the authorities at the police•station, but
the fire being nearly a mile from the station, it was
not less than half an hour after the alarm was first
given that the engines were able to be brought to
play upon it. At this time the fire had got a firm
hold, having communicated to every part of the build-
ing, and the flames illuminating the district round
about. A. plentiful supply of water was at once found,
but it soon appeared evident that, the fire had already