The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-15 00:00:00

THE FRENCH ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.

This delightful place having become one of the chief at-
tractions of the French capital, a brief notice concerning it
cannot but be acceptable to the English visitor. The
grounds are situate within the Bois de Boulogne, and close
to the Porte des Sablons, being that which immediately
follows the Porte-Maillot on the side of the Avenue de
Neuilly. They comprise an area of 33 acres, beautifhully
laid out in walks encircling the pent; or enclosures
on
the
e
the quadrupeds are kept, and which are arranged.thn
same plan as those of the Garden of Plants, with p
buresque little pavilions or cots, containing the stables.
Unlike the Garden of Plants, however, this establishment
origin as are fit to
only harbours such
be domesticated ; so animals
athlaeof. foreignitorwould in vain seek for
the lion, tiger, or hyena, whichvla are here replaced by the
Zebu, Yak, kangaroo, lama,
hemione, tapir, Chinese. pig,beidsseavarious kinds of sheep, goats,
Alpaga, and Vieunna,
s.. The grounds are intersected
stags, antelopes, gazelles,
by a streanalet forming a series of islands, where various
aquatic plants are grown' while other rare specimens of
abound on the surroundpinag7oansisa;
the vegetable kingdom abound
swans from Canada, Patagonia,
plots. Ducks, geese,
sthwearSmanindwich Islands, Egypt, and other parts of the world
the rivulets, presenting a scene of agreeable ani-
mation. The visitor, on entering will find to his left a
large
hot house containing the various exotics whose pro-
duce
is applicable to the arts and manufactures, for every-
thing here is destined for some useful purpose. Further
on
the
same side, he will perceive a building containing a
vast aquarium, divided into 14 compartmdnts, which,
however, for the present is void of occupants. Not far
from this, there is an elevated artificial rock for the ga-
zelles, pierced with a grotto, from the crevices of which a
good view may be obtained of the surrounding scenery.
The oblong building at the opposite end of the stream con-
tains stables with ten stalls for different quadrupeds of the
larger sort, and here also there is a room for refreshments.
Turning to the opposite side of the stream, the first object
which meets the eye is a kind of semicircular amphi-
theatre of 2.3 wired enclosures for poultry ; and further on
a vast aviary, consisting of 16 wired cages, each provided
with a little fountain and shrubs, and is tenanted by pea-
cocks, pheasants, doves, and other gallinaceous tribes. The
visitor would lose some good sport were he not to delay his
departure until after sunset, when the keepers are busied in
coaxing the inmates of the aviary into their respective
roosting-places. These charming little foreigners have a
will of their own ; they seem to be perfectly aware that
they cannot be roughly handled like the plebeian pcaloty_of
a farm-yard, and that they are not, like them, death' w
be mercilessly slaughtered, unless indeed, some remorseless
gastronomic savant should perchance deem it expedient to
o
inform the world at large of the peculiar flav of
Euploco»zus mclanotus a /afinemciere. The last object of
importance on this side is a kokh, or building for rearing
silk-worms, but which will possess but little interest until
next spring. The garden is visible on Sundays at the mo-
derate charge of five sous; on week days the ;entrance iv
one franc, Carriages entering the grounds pay three franc

ALDBRMAN SAL OMONS, M.P., AND BIS

CONSTITUENTS.

Last night, at eight o'clock, a numerously-attended
public meeting of the electors of Greenwich was held at the
Lecture-hall in that town to hear an address from Alder-
man Salomons, M.P., explanatory of his parliamentary
conduct during the last session. The chair was occupied
by Dr. Purvis, of Blackheath, who briefly alluded to the
objects of the meeting.
Alderman SALOMONS, M.P., who was well received, ob-
served that it was a very wholesome custom that repre-
sentatives of the people should meet their constituents
during the recess, in order to take council together, and
to afford an opportunity of discussing those important
questions which had been considered in Parliament, and
were likely to be considered at a future period. County
members generally embraced such an opportunity at agri-
cultural meetings, where agricultim was kept in the shade,
and politics discussed. He thOught there could not be a
greater libel than to say that the last session of Parlia•
ment had been a barren session, for many most important
measures had been passed, amongst which he viewed with
great satisfaction those important alterations in the tariff
included in the French treaty, and which wisely extended
the principle of free trade by cultivating commercial
intercourse with our nearest neighbours, thus tending
to make the French nation more commercial and less
warlike. The Protectionists of France as well as the
commercial classes had great influence, but the Emperor
had been able by his own power to carry out this impor-
tant treaty, which would prove a lasting benefit to both
countries. Alderman Salomons then proved by statistics
the rapid progress of France during the last twenty years,
especially with regard to railways and manufactures, and
expressed =opinion that this country would benefit by the
exportation of coals, which must take place. The Reform
Bill had occupied a considerable time of the last session, and
after all it proved an abortion. lie was not much surprised
at this, as there was little agitation on the subject out of
doors, and he mipt express his firm opinion that a good mea-
sure of reform would never be passed unless the people got
up such a strong agitation as would prove that the ques-
tion could be no longer delayed, and thus a moral sup-
port would be given to the Reform party in the House
of Commons. The last session also possessed the element
of taxation in a large degree. What with the army, the
navy, and fortifications, something like 75 millions were
required, and he sincerely hoped that taxation had now
reached its culminating point. This large sum was, how-
ever, required, and when he considered that 20,000 men
had been conveyed from Paris to the coast in a single night,
it surely was not too soon to place ourselves in such a state
of defence that whatever contingency of a sudden nature
might arise, we should be found equal to it. He did not
believe that any real danger existed, but the best defence
was to let the world know that England was in a proper
state of defence and fully prepared to resist any enemy.
The volunteer movement was a proof to the nations of
Europe that in this free country all barriers of distinction
could be broken down, and that high and low could, when
necessary, band themselves together to defend their coun-
try. It was also a proof that, with our free institutions,
we were not afraid to put arms in the hands of all classes
of the population. He was happy to believe that at the
present time very general prosperity prevailed throughout
the country. The manufacturing districts were well em-
ployed, and poor rates had very much decreased. He
trusted that this prosperity also extended to that borough.
(Cries of "We are very slack at Greenwich.") It was
quite true that in some isolated cases distress might
prevail, as, for instance, at Coventry, where it was said
the French treaty had injured the interests of the
workmen ; but his remarks applied to the nation collec-
tively, and it was proved by the great increase of im-
ports and exports that commerce was flourishing and the
people were generally employed. With regard to the
volunteer movement, there was one point in connection
with that borough upon which he should like to have the
opinion of the meeting. Possessing as they did several miles
of river frontage, and having a large population of mari-
time men, he had often thought that something might be
I done towards the formation of a volunteer naval and marine
brigade. (Loud cheers.) Such a force, although novel,
would be highly popular, and certainly most useful as a
defence to the country. If they thought that such a
brigade could be formed he should be happy to assist them
to the utmost of his power, and would communicate with
the Government in order to ascertain if the services of
such a force would be acceptable. There were some ques-
tions of a local nature interesting to that locality, and
especially with regard to the payment of rates for Govern-
ment property. During the last session a considerable
sum had been voted for this purpose, and he had reason to
know that the amount would be immediately forwarded to
he several parishes interested. The Metropolitan Local
Management Act had not been carried last session, in
consequence of the late period it was introduced, but
he should be prepared to support a similar measure
during the next session, as the Metropolitan Board
was entrusted with most important duties, and the present
act certainly required improvement. Alderman Salomons
then referred to his votes in favour of the repeal of the
paper duties, &c., and stated that in the next session he
hoped to see the excise duty taken off paper and hops.
After expressing his willingness to reply to any questions,
the bon. member resumed his seat amidst cheers.
In reply to a question,
Alderman SALOMONS stated he would gladly promote a
plan for improved railway communication between Green-
wich and Woolwich.

Mr. A. It. BRISTOW, M.P. for Kidderminster, moved the
following resolution :—" That this meeting having heard
with much satisfaction from Alderman Salomon an ac-
count of his Parliamentary services during the last session,
is of opinion that the best thanks of the electors are due to
him for his able and swistent conduct as their representa-
tive in the Commons Timm of Parliament." He observed
that he had peculiar opportunities for knowing that Alder-
man Salomons was worthy the esteem of his constituents.
The resolution was unanimously adopted, and the pro-
ceedings terminated by a vote of thanks to the chairman.