New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-23
A MAN KILLED BY LION.

The London IfNss, Jan, 3.
Yesterday morning terrible encounter took place
~ Astey's Amphitheater. An underground named
Smith war literally thrOtlled TO death by Of the
ious which play prominent part ia the holiday en-
lertanments thht favorte place of amusement. The
lions three in number, confined in cage at the
back Of the stage. When the night waichman lett the
theaier yesterday morning, few minutes before I, BIO
reported :" all right Shortly afterwsrd Smith, the
d,Ceared entered tie place and found the lions prowng
about. They had torn off heavy iron bar which
crossed the front of their cage and then burst open the
door. Smith wac alone, afd, not being familiar with
the animals, he attempted TO escape into an adjoining
stalle-yard His rtuation frghsful one, and
would have acted Precisely ~ he did under
similar circumstances; but the probability Is thai If he
had stood bis ground boldly biz lie would have been
saved Unfortunately Of the lions-that which IL
known by the name OF Havelock-caugp eight OF HIS
rctreating figure and instantly ,spraDg upen him. IL
seized him by the haunches pulled him the grouna,
and then fixed tB teeth in his throat. Death must
have been almost instantaneous, but, rs Smith was
found good deal cut and bruised at the hack OF the
head it is supposed that the lion after buyng Its
iangs in bis throat dragged him about aud dnshed ms
bead against the ground. Ii seems, in fact 70 have
worried him. though the wounds inflicted by the brute
are neither Numerous nor 80 severe as might nave
been expected. There cries for help, but a
sort of shutting NOISE WAS heard by man III Tho liable
yatd He suspected what had occurred, and did not
venture to open the door through which Smith had en-
dcayor.d TO escape, but he gave the alarm, and al
few minutes was joued by several grooms aud others
connected with the theater. They were ALL however,
too much afraid TO enter the place. and nothing
done to ASCERTAIN the late OF Smith until the arrival OF
Crockett, the Lion Conquerer, to whom the animals
belono As soon as he reached the spot he passed
through the door alone, OF the others daring to
follow The body of Smith was lying face upward "a
few feet from the door, and HRyelock crouching
over il % "A hungry dog hangs a piece OF meat.
Crockett Immediately threw the animal oil and dragged
the body into the ward. Ii was sill warm, but life
had been extinct for some time. surgeon was sent
for but Of coube he could render no assistance.
Crockett oat no TINE in securing tho lions. They al
low ed him 10 capture them easily enough. Even lave
lock did not offer any resistance, and the other two
which had taken no part iii the terrible scene with
Smith, seemed rather afraid than otherwise. In few
minutes all three were back in their cage again, and
lnst night they went through their usual performances
before crowded audience. Smith was unmarried.
There WILL of course be inquiry into the circun-
stances which attended the unhappy mans death.
Tur ABoItTIog OF THE IRIsH VIcERoYALTY.--
Tie following curious paragraph appears in The Cork
Eroninfr -" The intention of the Government TO |
abolish The Office OF the Niceroy Is questioned by poll
tioiaus whose authority is Of considerable weight, and
AN altogether different solution of the dficuty-at
least for the tmeis talked Of as probable. IL is sand
that the appointment will be vested in person OF
less importance than the Prince Of Wales IL will at
~ ee be seen that the present position OF hs Royal
glnoss IL Ciieent from that Of the heirs apparent to
tie ihlcne in many preceding regns, ar his rank gives
him ~ etlence OF his father who is only Prince Con-
tort By placing the Prince OF Wales in the office OF
N:ceroy of Ireland an awkward situation would il il
sad he got lid Of aud compliment paid to the people
Of Ireland We only give the above the opinion Of
rels con who are well informed on what we may term
poll ical pIobables