Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-08-11
Irrom Frank Leslie's Sew.fork Illustrated rsps',l
A New EnterprIsc..-ZoOloglcal
Garden In New YOrk...Capital
2.OOO,OOO...A Free Museum.

eral efforts to establish one have
been made from time TO time, and q
few wears since the New York Leg
islature granted q charter, and al
lotted space in Central Park Tor
that purpose. But the gentlemen
who had the subject in hand were
inexperienced in this line Of busi-
ness, and they found upon investi'
CATION, that the great expense at-
tending tho purchase and mainten-
ance of complete collection Of liv'
ing animals, placed ina well arrang-
ed Geological Garden, always far ex-
ceeded the receipts; hence, while as
in France and Italy, these institu'
tions are tho property of the re,
spective governments, and are Kept
up at large annual outlay, similar
establishments in London, Amster,
dam, Vienna, &C., arc owned ana
supported by associations Of wealthy
gentlemen, who contribute large
sums annually from their private
funds, in addition to all moneys re
ccived from visitors. These consid-
erations have hitherto deferred re-
sponsible parties from embarking in
such q hazardous and expensive en-
terprise.
Some years since, Mr.. Barnum
visited all of these institutions
abroad, and investigated all the de.
tails of their management, original
cost and daily expenses, and, find
ing that none Of them were self
supporting, he announced his in
tention, at a future day, to establish
a Geological Garden in connection
with a Museum, believing that the
constant succession Of novelties
which he could introduce into the
latter department would attract such
multitudes of visitors rs would
make the whole a source Of pecuni.
ary profit, especially as he proposed
duplicating his living animals, and
would thus be enabled, during eight
months in year, to despatch Me-
nagerie through the country, as he
had already done, at profit.
The burning Of the American
Museum in July last affordeda good
opportunity for Mr.. Barnum to in
augurate his long cherished enter
prise. His increasing years, although
as yet he is but fifty five, and more
particularly the wealth accumulated
by his successful career as a caterer
for public amusement, caused him
for a moment to pause and weigh
the advantages of life of ease and
retirement. Professional bias, and
probably a degree Of pride in found,
ing an establishment which would
reflect honor on career which had
been so creditably pursued for near
ly third of a century, soon, how
ever, led him to a determined course
Of action. Before the bricks in his
burning Museum were cold, ne
sold his land lease of the premis-
es for 100000 cash, and forthwith
started a New Museum further up
Broadway. His adaptation to the
business, coupled with a lavish out
Law, and his extensive and valuable
business connections,s lat home aud
abroad, soon enabled him to collect
a larger number Of interesting Gu
riosities than it would seem posi-
bic to get together in so short a
space Of time. But from the begin
ming of his new enterprise, Mr..
Barnum's whole study has been how
best to arrange permanent and ev-
er.increasing Geological Garden in
connection with his Museum. The
public will be glad to learn that this
he has ut last satisfactorily and sue
cessfully accomplished.
A combination has been formed
by uniting Barnum's Museum and
the famous Van. .Amburgh's Menag..
erie, which is owned and managed
by experienced showmen OF wealth,
and which at present consists of two
immense travelling geological collec-
tions, containing specimens of near.
ly every living bird and animal that
has ever been exhibited. A charter
for an association, with a capital o.
two millions of dollars, has been OBJ
tanned from the Connecticut Legis
lature, and thirty acres of land has
been purchased in the vicinity O
Bridgeport, Connecticut, on which
| are being erected suitable buildings
| and glass edifces, for breeding ant
| acclimating rare animals, birds, DC.
| and for training some of them fol
| public performances The present
stockholders of this colossal associ
alton are all men of great practica
experience as public caterers, ant
all personally engaged in conduct
ing the public exhibitions. In fac
| it is determined that no position il
connection with this establishment
| involving responsibility or soun'
Judgment, shall be filed by any per
son who is not a man of experienc
in the business and Of good habits
this being considered the best plal
to secure efficacy in every depart
ment. This combination is TO b
known as the fsBarnum and VA
| Amburgh Museum and Menageri
Company" and these two establish
ments will form the nucleit abou
which is to be reared the most com
prehensive place of amusement an
Instruction which has ever exlste
on this continent.
At a future day an entire squar
or more, higher mp town, viii be n
quired for this mammoth show
| Until such an establishment
reared, a new building Of 40 by 20
I l.-.-. 4 l.