The New York herald., 1874-11-10
WILD REAs rs.
Our Menageries and What Should be
Done with Them-Some Reminis-
cences of Exciting Events.

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cences of Exciting Events
The escape OF collection OF wild animals nom
their cages. and their career through the streets
OF New York, would certainly be event OF the
most exciting kind, II We may judge by the effect
OF o simply imaginary report. II the ghosts OF
iions tigers, bears and monkeys, which have been
materialized by some process resembling that by
which the Sdy brothers IN Vermont village
cause the spirits OF the dead to take palp8ole
human forms, could so disturb the equilibrium OF
the public, What would 1t do II real beasts were
substturedY Dangers OF this KIND are not imag-
mary. but have occurred, and will occur under
conditions or false security and over confidence.
Some years ago the city OF Philadelphia was
thrown into panic, not by the escape OF whole
menagerie, but by that OF q single animal. Nor
was this Q wli animal, but one which was believed
to be thoroughly tamed--the elephant columbus.
This celebrated beast was one or the most enor.
nous that ever visited the United States, ana was
exhibited IN tlas circus and menagerie IN Walnut
street. HIS performances IN the ring were excellent
and he was q ia vorue OF the public, who had every
confidence In hits docilty and gooi nature Ele-
plants are generally supposed to be good-natured,
Just Us giants are. though they are known TO
be revengeiul and treacherous and sometimes
reveal the Possession Of an apparently
preternatural cunning. This was the case
with the immense Columbus, who one day
got what might be called his back up, as
III was not already up quite high enough. Mad
ness selzed upon his british brain and he broke
his chains destr Dyed his stable and ranged about
the building In y state OF fearful desperation. A
mad elephant roaming loose In menagerte OF
wi.d beasts IS about as dangerous as an intoxl.
Gated man smoking full pipe IN powder MILL
Gn1r Nhp1o
keepers could 40 nothing with him; he pursued
them around the building, and, unless our recol-
lection crrs, killed or wounded some Of the persons
employed In the menagerlc. The beasts In the
cages were In q corresponding condition OF ex-
citement, and threw themselves against lhe bars
with Jury. The news soon spread throughout the
city that Columbus had discovered America, and
was inclined TO Gestroy portion oft. All Mt
tempts to capture him were about ~ unavalling
as the effort would be to lasso locomotive gong
at full speed, an! there were fully JUS titled fears
that he would break down the doors ana escape
into the streets. Had that fear been reaized
large loss OF life could not have been prevented.
1he city authorities took every precaution, and
acted as q British army was invading the town.
The troops were called out and cannon were
planted In Walnut street to lombard
the elephant II he should make his
exit from the men agerie. THIS intense state OF
alarm lasted for day, but fortunately by the
courage Of his Keepers, who ianced Columbus with
spears and pitchforks from comparatively safe
positions, the tremendously powerful creature
was finally subdued aud securely chatnedN Blu,
there was for hours tine unquestionable danger
that scene would result similar in It's terrible
nature to that which was imagined to take place
In Central PARK last Sunday.
The famous elephant Romeo was another travel
q M 0Uda mn ztn vvno hod ksllo NJ
his keepers. and should nave been hanged Tor MUIR
der. II hanging would hurt an elephant, which Is
uniikey. Romeo w0ultl have done for model for
the elephant which Charles Reade SO picturesquely
describes In one oil hns novels, another rascally
beast which treasured UP It's injuries for years ana
iuly avenged them wl.en the opportunity was
ouxreo. a
But menageris is nothing without wild AMI
mails. The desire 10 see q daugerous beasts amounts
~ passion. which We al more or less share. No
BODY cares lor o tame hon, and q tame uger, II
one could be l0und, wou Id be object or pity or
contempt The great cilarm about Herr Dries.
bacn's pet leopard whach was 'periecty harm
less" and which hs used to take about with hlm
N the streets ~ 9ss ~ II II had been dog. was
that ~ he'd manRisd u chi Id who had attempted to
caress the beautiful creature. Then everybody
had secret, delghual lear, which almost
amounted to = nope, tnTs some day It Would turn
upon It's master. Ike the Engiishman in Eugene
sues Wandering Jew" who followed Morok, the
lion tanner, over Europe, having made q very ex-
travsgant bet that soiIie day he would be de-
voured upon the stage. The consciousness or this
made Morok nervous. and the terrible scene In
which tie black tiger. "D,ath" turns upon him, Ia
one OF the most enective in the novel.
We ali ike 60 feel that between us and bloody
death nothing 10 interposed but the IRON bars OF
cage. IL II strange attraction to see the CLASSY
eyes OF pan ther riveted upon our own, or to
catch the lurking glance Of sroyal Bengal tiger, the
most splendid beast IN the world, ss he restlessly
PAGES his narrow quarters. The song expresses
this feeling. which tells how
Wen all go together, and wen 90, ohi
To zee the olack hon m tue wild Kangaroo.
Wen all 10 together, all d we'll 20, onI
To see Van Amourgh's snow;
and then follows this antlci patory stanxa OF Joy,
with the chorus OF "Anlmau. Roarw TO str the
animals no u = pleasure not always attended with
peasant consequences. and ouly the other day
there was printed an accou at OF reckless young
msn VINO, In teasing hon which was too smart
Ior him, had his hand torn into shreds, and was
conveyed oy his friends to ssek relief as Q neigh
boring drug store.
But. wnie We may properly indulge this fancy
for Wild animala this coquetting with DANGER too
much caution can hardly be 0, served. Experience
should teach Us that over Co lndense may have
terrible results. TIE nrst object Ia menagerie
should be entire safety. the second completeness.
Our collection OF animals at Central PARK should
be placed In the strongest bull iings and certainly
should be improved IN It's variety and novelty.
Tho collections at the Regents Park. In London,
and the 5ardin des YIsntes. In Paris.
might In time, be rivalled In our PARK lr
the syuem OF exhibiting animals loaned tor . time
~ keepers OF menagerics In the dull aesson were
Aana ndaA ff
dangers that mgat occur. We have added TO the
vigilance that should no always main tanned, tho
purpose OF our narrative win be iulnled. and now,
having the hons anu tigers SAFE IN their cages. We