The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-04-22 00:00:00

THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.

The approach of another summer suggests inquiry re.
lative to the preparations making this season at that
retreat from " din of trade"—the Zoological Gardens.
May, that " wakes all nature from her sullen rest." has
generally been ushered in with monster placards detailing
the matters selected at that establishment to satiate the
improving taste and entertain the sight-seeing community
of our vicinity. Though no programme has yet been
published, the preparations are now drawing towards com-
pletion; and it we may judge from a cursory inspection,
we feel no hesitation in saving that, probably prompted
by the opening of the palace of art, the caterer of this
establishment is excelling the efforts of all prior years,
and placing before the public a collosal panoramic scene
that will class high as a work of art. It is no easy matter
to select a subject suitable to the introduction of pyro-
technic art; nature, however, provided an admirable one
in the recent ex,ilosion of Mount. fEtna—a scene which
will not bear the slightest resemblance to that of Vesuvius
last year. The view from drawings for government, by
J. H. Allen, E-q., is taken from the bay of Cantania, so
that both the ancient and modern city is prominently in-
troduced at the foot of the terrific mountain,—

- "Whose summits reach the sky—
Whose valleys fano'd by zephyr's wings,
In cool retiring shadows :ie."
The altitude of /Una is not less than two miles. Its apex
is coated with snow, while irs base is covered with luxuriant
verdure, and studded here and there with picturesque
buildings. The drawing is excellent, the lights and sha-
dows bold and effective, and the colouring, though rich,
is not so gaudily contrasted as to destroy the harmony of
nature with which it is surrounded. na is one of the
world's wonders. The double eruption of November,
1843—when the mountains roaring, as in agony, disgorged
their fiery bowels in terrific streams of molten lava, that
rushing like a torrent clown the vale, buried in a burning
mass the alcient city—will be conveyed in all the fright-
ful grandeur that approximates reality.
But this, sass the Journal, is not the only novelty in
preparation. This, as we have stated, is the Great Exhi-
bition year ; some will go from Liverpool, to weary
themselves with a perambulation of a gallery 27 miles in
length, containing objects more or less interesting, but
still it cannot be denied that many will regret the cost.
The proprietors, in such an emergency, are equal to the
occasion; the mountain would not come to Mahomet,
and so Mahomet went to the mountain ; the Exhibition
would not come to the gardens, but the spirited proprie-
tors have resolved that the gentlemen of England (and
the ladies) " who stay at home at ease," shall have all the
substantial benefit of a visit to the Exhibition, without
any of the inconveniences unpleasantly attendant there-
upon ; and a colossal picture will be displayed each night,
after the " eruption," conveying so far as fancy can do,
a correct idea of the metropolitan spectacle. When Etna
has ceased to erupt, and, amid partial darkness, the lava
is left to cool; then the Exhibition, illuminated, will
appear, but a description would provoke, not satisfy,
curiosity. _ _ _

And,'of course, the "stock" attractions of the place
are undiminished. The gardens are already, with neatly-
trimmed walks, full of beauty and bloom. The various
erections have been handsomely re-painted, and the
habitue of a visitor can already, mentally, hear the notes
of a band, perfect in performance, resounding through
the grounds.
Toe zoological collection is increasing, as may be judged
of from the fact, that not less than forty animals, of
every variety, ere expected next week. In the manage-
ment of the gardens this year one decisive change has
been introduced. It has often been lamented that the
working classes have, from the high price of admission,
been virtually excluded from the grounds. It is proposed
now to open the gardens every Sunday, the small s►lver
key necessary entitling the owner to refreshment also;
and the change, we are sure, will be hailed with pleasure
by thousands of operatives. Natural history is at all
times an interesting study.
There will be, we are assured, an extraordinary suc-
cession of novelties during the whole season.

CANINE SAGACITY.—The sheep-dog Major, at Blowick,
near Southport, will, by himself, bring the poney home
h?romevee.ntihneg,monaseoteur nstaiindg,
~
Major,
at night from the fields, nearly a mile distant, walking
quietly by his side if he comes willingly, but barking be-
the sheep
tthrilanertdeihsfadhoenbdieeilibsnrs:intug.g." The dog ran off instantly, and
searched the ditches until he found the straggler in the
water, when be barked until the farmed rescued the mis-
sing animal.—Pralms Chreadek.,