The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-04-22

of natural history, entered public house, took
box, and ordered some oysters, with the usual
ompaniments.-These accompaniments were two
glasses of vile whiskey punch drank the poison,
paid the bill and made for the hotel of my friend,
who, fearing that the whiskey would rise up in
Judgment against us, ordered couple bottles of
ehOr brand.
Nv friend was very agreeable, his stories were
pleasant and witty, and the wine fell my spirits
arose. Champaign settles bad whiskey cxcellently.
We parted, arguing which was the most formidable,
the lion or the elephant and as il was IA bright
moonlight, | made my way home without giving
any personal insults to the pumps and lamppost a.
long the streets, though at that time, had my doubts
whether did not describe an irregular curve.
l reached home, and on entering the parlor found
cheerful fire burning. ] seated myself in an old
arm chair and soon fell into brown study-the in
habitants of the desert were all before me, and j
thought communed with them. 1T was about
midnight an alarm bell broke the stillnes of night,
solitary cry of Z" fire ~ heard and soon after
the rattle of the drowsy watch echoed through the
streets. In a moment was looking out of the WIN
dow-a bright red glare ilunned the sky and streaks
Of flame ever and darted up the moon-llt hea-
vens-As.yet the alarm had not become general,
and hurrying my wrapper, rushed into the sol
| itary street shouting " fire ~ as loud my lungs
would allow me. With fleet step flew in the di-
recon of the fames-volumes of smoke yelled the
pale visage Of the moon, and the sparkling cinders,
famed by the gentle midnight breeze flew here and
there mocking the stars in brancy, and seeming
like floating orbs in seas of dun yapor.-There IS
something awful in fire at midnight ere the IN
habtants are aroused from their peaceful slumbors.
The very menagerie had visited that night, the
scene that had afforded such fund of reflection,
was fire When reached the spot, n solitary
engine stood in front of the blazing building, and
they were reeling out the hose for the purpose OF
supplying it with water. The keepers of the wild
beasts were running to and fro with countenances
filed with despair and anxiety, and the loud roar
of the mighty monarch of the hames.-The crowd
gradually became greater aud greater, and the doors
of the building secured, in order that the wild
animals ght be kept from the multitude. They
were brave fellows who stood at the engine-the
roar of the consuming flames and the piercing
scream of the angry leopard unnoticcd by them
they labored away at their apparatus, and all
thoughts Of self seemed TO give way to the hope o
saving lives aud property. Their excrtions IN
vain, the flames made rapid progress, the roof be-
came one entire sheet of fire the loud below of the
tortured elephant shook the airhe bleating of tho
camel fell upon the ear, aud the shil cry of the ag-
onzed hyena rang horribly in the midst of this cha
os of sounds. Terror depicted in every coun-
tenance, and the people refusing to work, sought
safety the tops of walls and fences-many fled
to their homes, and the brave few who remained
near did it ut the peril Of their lives,
| took my station on the top of high wall, from
whence could observe all that was passing. A
body of armed men, with mnskets charged and bay
oncts fixed, were stationed in front of the entrance
They were fine looking young men, and had volun-
teered their services. l Trembcd for thcm-what
were they opposed to the furious caravan within
the burning walls
The roof fell in with n loud crash, and dreadful
lycll. From my station now had glance into the
interior The lordly elephant, made desperate b!
his agony, had broken the chain that bound him
the camel and the timid elk laying dead, upo
the burning rafters-,he proud lion had burst hi
narrow cell, and wrestling with the fierce tige
amidst the beds of glowing Goals. A loud cry q
agony from the fiery arena, and IN despair.th
beasts leapt up the glowing walls, or III madness
tore out each others bowels
The shrek of agony, the groan death,
In wild uproar and continued din,
Shook the still air. while over head the moon.
Regardless of the stir of this low world
! Held on her heavenly way.
| With one desperate blow, the elephant burst opc
the door that confined him in this den of horror, an'
forth he came, swinging his huge trunk nloit IN All
threatening death to all who opposed his way.
wild cry came from the crowd, and the popuac
fled in all directions. A volley from the muskcs G
the armed men, brought the suffering crcatur
to the earth, aud roaring IN agony, he breathed ou
his last. The lion then, with a heavy plung,
emerged from the flames, and with distendcd jaws
and eyes flashing vengeance, sprung amidst the gal
liant band who had thus far fearlessy stood the
ground.
But still they faced the shock,
Obdurate the portion of the rock
Where they stood and fix the levelled guu
Dark a sullen cloud before the
Their brisiling bayoncis, pierced his broad breast
with wild howl he rolled upon the ground, an
then assuming the position of a~Gat that is abo,
sczing upon its prey, with one bound leapt among
his opposers, and with his claws ripped open I'll
bowels of one of them, whose life blood he lappe
in his dying agones.
The lion dying thrusteh forth his paw,
And wounds the earth, il nothing else, with rage