American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-12-04

comfort and seclusion of the Royal visitor
which the resources of the theatre permitted
The animals had been kept purposeIY without
food for six-and thirty hours, strong symptoms
Of which had became manifest during Mr..
Van Amburgh's performance, by the lion and
| the panther having simultaneously attacked the
lamb on its being placed in their den; and they
would have evidently made but mouthiul
apiece oft, had not their almost supeT-human
master literally lashed them into the most alb
ect and crouchng submission, The first pOr-
ton of food thrown amongst them, seized by
the lion as matter of priority, was enoug h TO
nvince any skeptic of the fearful savageness
| OF their nature, when out OF control OF the one
hand whose authority they acknowledge. The
rolling of the tigers eye, while he was devour-
ing the massive lump Of meat and bone, clutch
ed between his fore paws, seemed to possess
the bfilliancy as well as the fapldity of light
ming; and was only diverted by a tremendous
and sudden spring of the lion, who, having de-
mollShcd his own portion, seized upon what
was left OF his ferocous neighbours rate. The
| dash against the sides of the den sounded like
the telling Of huge tees, and was enough by
its force and fury to shake the strongest nerves;
but it was positive fact, that while the bold
est Of the hearts of the royal suite speedily re-
treated at this unexpected plum c Of the forest
monarch, the youthful Queen never moved
either face or foot but with look undiverted,
and still more deeply ryeted, continued TO
gaze on the novel and moving spectacle.
Her Maiesty's enquiries were not those of
youthful mind, merely intent upon ordinary and
unmcaning questions, but bespoke scrutiny
Of mind little to be expected from one of such
tender years. 1t was not to be expected that
a circumstance, so altogether without prece-
dent, as the ruler Of vast realm condescend-
ing to pay personal visit TO these animals,
could escape the observations Of malicious par
tzans This visit Of their Sovereign, this un-
bending from the cares Of state, and iudugng
in the recreatons most suitable to the earlier
years of life, when the mind is thirstug for eve
ny kind Of information, and naturally preierrng
! to mingle the utite ell duLcs, this harmless en-
tertanment was to be questioned because the
Queen was in the case, while every one of her
subjects was at full liberty to enjoy it. To my
way of thinking and feeling, more beautiful
or truly interesting sight could not be devised
! than to behold this young and lovely creature
emerging fom the trammels of state, which
must, OF necessity, confine her so much, and
seeking relief in those diversions which instruct
and amuSe at the same time; and none but a
| fool will withhold the award Of both these qua
| hGcations from Mr.. Van Amburgh's surprising
exhibition.
"Eler Majesty's patronage of this particular
class of entertainment did not end with the be-
stoWal of such high mark of favor, for on the
Tuesday following, January %, her Majesty
honored the theatre with state command, anc
Mr.. Van Amburgh's exercises were especially
included in the entertainments ordered for the
occasion. Her Majesty, moreover, honored
Mr.. Van Amburgh with conversation of some
minutes on retiring from the royal box; and
her enquiries during their conference, while
they bespoke mind already richly stored with
the knowledge Of natural history, betrayed the
utmost desire for increasing that store. The
receipts of the theatre at tie second perform
ance of Mr.. Van Amburgh before the Queen,
were &7l2 7.6, beng the largest amount ever
received in that establishment on any one oc-
casion. Twice in the fortnight following this
command night did her Majesty honor the per-
Torrance of Mr. Van Amburgh with her pre-
sence; being the sixth visit, in the short space
of as many weeks, which she had condescend-
ed to pay that interesting exhibition.
"Nor was the enthusiasm or curiosity felt
for Mr.. Van Amburgh confined to the ilustri-
Gus parsonage whose avors we have been re-
cordlng, nor to that Of the distinguished indi-
viduals forming the royal cortege. His Grace
the Duke of Wellington came twice to sec the
exhibition, and held conference Of full halt
an hour each time with our modem Lwima-
chus. The Marquis Of Angosca, Lord Brough.
am, and long list OF remarkable and fashion
able characters, poured into the Menagerio day
after day, even as early as nine O'Clock in the
nnrninu N witness the nTucaSS IF teadlnu ihc
animals, and to see (nore anziousy than any
thing else) the extraordinary Individual who
held such control over them, to the SURPRISE as
we'll as admiration of all beholders. 1t was, ia
very truth, very wonderful performance, and
merted all the eulogy and countenance it re.
ceived."