The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-10
From Chsmbers's Journal.
STORY OF COLLEGE LIFE.

STORY OF COLLEGE LIFE.
On certain memorable day, in 1s47, q large
hamper reached Oxford, per Great Western
Railway, and was in due time delivered, according
to its direction, at Christchurch, consigned to
Francis auckland, Esq, gentleman well known
in the University for his fondness for natural
history. He opened his hamper, and the moment
the lid was removed, out jumped O creature about
The size Of an English sheep-dog, covered with
long shaggy hair, of brownish color. This
was young bear, born on Mount Lebanon, in
Syria, q few months before, who had now arrived
to receive his education at our learned University
The moment that he was released from his irk-
some attitude in the hamper, he made the most Of
his liberty, and the door Of the room being open,
he rushed off down the closters Service was
going on in the chapel and, attracted by the peal
ing organ, or some other motive, he made at once
for the chapel. just az he arrived at the door,
the stout verger happened to come thither from
within, aud the moment he saw the impish-look-
ing creature that was rushing into his domain, he
made tremendous flourish with his silver wand,
and, dartng into the chapel, ensoonced himself in
a tall pew, the door Of which he boltcd. Fig lath-
pe-leser las the bear was called being scared by
the silver wand, turned from the chapel and
scampered frantically about the large quadrangle,
putting to flight the numerous parties of dogs,
who in those days, made that spot their afternoon
rendezvous. After a sharp chase, a gown was
thrown over Zig, aud he was with difficulty Sc
cured. During the struggle he got one of the
fingers Of his new master into his mouth, and
did he bite it off No, poor thing but began
vigorously sucking it, with that peculiar num-
bling noise for which bears are remarkable
Thus was he led back to BPS rooms, walking
all the way on his hind-legs, and sucking the fn-
ger with all his might collar was put round
his neck, aud Zig became prisoner His good
nature and amusing tricks soon made him prime
favorite with the undergraduates; cap and
gown were made at,ired in which to the great
scandal Of the doas) he accompanied his master to
breakfasts and wine parties where he contributed
greatly to the amusement of the company, and
partook Of good things his visnds being mullins
and ices. He was in general Of an amiable dispo-
sition, but subject to fits Of rage, during which
his violence was extreme but kind word, and
finger to suck, soon brought him round He was
most impatient of solitude, and would cry for
hours when left alone particularly If was dark.
Ii Was this unfortunate propensity which brought
him into especial disfavor with the Dean of
Christchuroh, whose Greek boundaries and hours
of rest were sady disturbed by Tigs lamentations.
On one occasion he was kept in college till after
the gates had been shut, and there WAS no pos
sibility Of getting him out without the porter
ing him, when there would have been fine of ten
shillings to pay the next morning, for during this
term edict had gone forth against dogs, and tho
authorities not being learned in zoology, could not
be persuaded that a bear was not dog. Zig was
therefore tied in the courtyard, near his masters
rooms, but that gentleman was soon brought out
by his piteous cries, and could not pacify him in
any other way than by bringing him into his
rooms and at bedtime Tg was chained to the
post at the bottom of the bed, where he remained
I'LL Ia yltnhf nd han abnF l;pU tha haJ
awoke his master by licking his face-he took no
notice, and presently Zig deliberately put his
hind leg under the blankets and covered himself
ppi there he remained till chapel time when
his master left him, and on his return found that
the young gentleman had been amusing HIMSELF
during his solitude by overturning everything he
could get at in the ROOM and, apparently had n
quarrel and fight with the looking glass, which
was broken TO pieces, and the Woodwork bitten -
all over
The prepetrator of all this havoc sat on the bed
looking exceedingly innocent, but rocking back
wards and forwards AS if conscious of guilt and
doubtful Of the consequences Near to Tig's
house there was little monkey tied TO tree, and
Jacko's great amusement was to make grmaces mt
Tg; and when the latter composed himself to
sleep in the warm sunshine, JACKIE would cautious
ly descend from the tree, and, twisting his fingers
in Tig's long hair, would give him sharp pull,
and In a moment was up the tree again, chat
tering and gathering his chain. Tig's answer was
most amusing-he would run backwards and for
wards on his hind legs, sucking his paws aud with
his eyes fixed Jacko utering all sorts Of threats
and imprecatons, to the great delight Of the
monkey lie would then again endeavor to take
a nap, only to be again disturbed by his little tor
mentor However, these two animals established
a truce became excellent friends, and would sit
for half an hour together confronting each other,
apparently holding conversation
At the commencement of the long vacation, Zig,
with the other members OF the University, retired
into the country, and was daily taken out for n
walk round the village, to the great establishment
Of the pumpkins. There WAS n little shop kept
by an old dame who sold whip cord, sugar candy,
and other matters, and here, on one occasion, Zig
WAS treated to sugar candy Soon afterwards he
got loose and at once made off for the shop into
which he burst, to the unutterable terror Of the
specialized and high-capped old lady, who was
knitting stockings behind the counter. The mo-
ment she saw his shaggy head, and heard the
appalling clatter Of his CHAIN she rushed up stairs
In deirium Of terror. When assistance arrived,
the offender was discovered seated on the counter,
helping himself most literally TO brown sugar
and 1t was with some difficulty, and after much
resistance, that he was dragged away
Mr.. auckland had made a promise that Zig
should pay q visit TO village about six miles
distant and determined that he should proceed
thither on horseback. As the horse SHE'D when
ever the bear came near him there was some diff
Guilty 10 getting him mounted; but mt last his
master managed to pull him up by the chain, while
the horse was held quiet. Tigat first took up his
position In front but soon walked round and stood
up on his hind legs, resting his forepaws on his
masters shoulders. To him this was exceedingly
pleasant, but not 30 to the horse, who, not being
oto N tvo nd fool;o0 'Ti0ia claUe
kicked and plunged TO rid himself Of the extra
passenger. Tig held on like grim death, and
stuck in his claws most successfully for In spite
Of all the efforts OF the horse he was not thrown
Ia this way the journey was performed, the coun-
try folks opening their eyes at the appsrition.
When term recommended, Tig returned to the
University, much altered In appearance, for, be-
ing of the family Of silver bears Of Syria, his coat
had become almost white be was much bigger
md stronger, and his teeth had made their ap-
pearance, so that he Was rather more difficult to
manage the only way TO restrain him when in q
rage, was to hold him by the ears but one occa-
,ion having lost his temper he tore his cap and
,own to pieces About this time the British Asscci-
.tion paid visit to Oxford, and Tig was 40 object
II much interest The writer was present on ssvs-
al occasions when he was introduced 10 hroAkfAxt
,arties OF eminent savans, and much smsssuent
vas created by his tricks, albeit they wsra Ltile
ough. In more than one instance he made sal
'avoc with book-muslins and other fragile articles
4 female attire; on the whole, however, he con-
ucted himself with great propriety, especially at
n evening meeting at DR. Dsubney's where he
vas much noticed, to bis evident pleasure
Still, however, the authorities ut Christchurch,
lot being zo5logists, had peculiar notions respect
ne bears; and At length, after numerous threats
md pecuniAry penalties the fatal day arrived, AMI
figs master was In formed that either he or the
bear must leave Oxford the next morning"
There WAS no resisting this, and poor dear Iig
Was accordingly but into box--a much larger
,ns than that In which he had srrived-,and sent
III to the Geological Gardens, Regents Park;
here he was placed in 9 comfortable den by him