Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-12-11
VAN AMBURGH.
"Reminiscences of The Lion Tanner. {
From the New York Evening post.l

FIRST IN NEW YORK.
He made his first appearance in this city
in 1893 at the old Richmond Hill Theatre,
and performed in the cages of the lions,
tigers, leopards, and other animals. In
the same season, after the holidays, he be-
gan an engagement at the BOwery
Theatre, then under the management of
T. S. Hamlin, appearing in a m~elo-drams
written for him by Miss Medina, and en-
titled, "The Lion Lord or, The Forest
Monarch" in which he introduced his
trained animals. In this piece he rode a
horse from the stage up a 'set of runs, or
mimic wilds; and while on the way, a
royal Bengal tiger sprang from a thicket
upon him. A fearful struggle then took
place between Van Amburgh and the tiger;
they clutched at each other and grappled,
and the contest continued, the combatants
rolling and tumbling until they reached
the foOtlights. The exhibition, the first Of
its kind, naturally created an immense
sensation.
VAN AMBURG NovELTIEs-THE LIoN AND
THE LAMB.
In 1884 a joint stock company formed
the Geological Institute, which went into
operation in the Bowery. At this place
Van Amburgh performed every winter
till 1888. While playing here he intro
duced several novelties as he called them,
such as the plunging of his arm into a
bucket of fresh bullock's blood before en-
tering the animals cages, and of feeding
the animals in their cages.
1t is well known that when taking
their food they are very ferOcious, snd
that the sight or smell of fresh meat sets
them into a fury. They are usually, it
should be said, fed from the. outside Of the
cage, and great Uare Is TuNou TO pv-v-
them striking the persons who give them
their food.
Van Ambnrg also introduced into the
presence of the lion a child and a lamb.
The thought was suggested to him by the
Scripture phrase 1.-THE lion and the
lamb shall lie down together, and a little
child shall lead Them All these things
attracted great attention and interest.
VAN ANBURG IN EUROPE.
In the spring of 1888 he played at the
old National Thertre, under the manage
ment of j. Wallack, senior, but sailed for
Europe in July of that year. He made
his first appearance in London, at Ash
ley's AmphitheatIe. So marked a sensa-
ton was created that he was soon engaged
by Mr.. Bum for Drury Lane, where he
appeared in dramas written expressive
introduce his performances.
His career at this theatre Wo~sHiy
successfnl, 4hAi---t = HlS AHlDitlons
was intense, and tho crowds hat came to
ace them wee without parallel. Therel
was hover, some opposition, on Sc.
count opne fact partly that M~aereadylp-
nesreSat the same tineat Convent Gar |
darn Shakespearean characters.
The young Queen Victoria, cary in
1899, iade several visits to Van Amourgh
and 1tnessed his management. On one
cocoon she remained till the audience
baSone to see further performances, in
cling the feeding of the beasts. They
h been kept without food for thirty-six
Elrs, and were fierce and ravenous-so
81 the lion and tiger simultaneously
hinged at a lamp which was taken into
e cage, and would have made two
louthsful of il, but Van Amburgh dashed
hem with SEVERITY, and drove them into I
heir corners, whFe they remained in per- 7
ect quietness- !
While Van Amburgh was in London. a [
of him and his performing ami
lals Was made for the Queen by her or L
!
In company with several Americans, a
IN was established to exhibit in the
WINS of England a menagerie, which be- \
me known as that of Van Amburgh =
Co. The exhibition was conducted like
exhibitions here, by carrying tents,
e company sometimes staying only one
y in 8 place.