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

Done with Them-Some Reminis-
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 he an event OF the
most exciting KIND II We may judge BY the effect
oi simply Imaginary report. II the gacsts OF
lions. tigers, bears and monkeys, which have been
materialized by some process resembling that by
which the 10Y brothers Vermont village
cause the spirits OF the dead TO take papaole
human forms, could disturb the equilibrium OF
the public, what would 1t do II real beasts were
substituredS Dangers Of this KIND are not mag
mary. bus have occurred, and will occur under
conditions OF false security and over confidence.
Some years. ago the city OF Philadelphia was
thrown into panic, not by the escape Of whole
menagere, but by taat Of q single animal. Nor
was this Wild animal, but one which was believed
to be thoroughly tamed--the elephant columbus.
This celebrated beast was one of the most enor-
nous that ever visited the United States, ana was
exhibited IN tine circus and menagerie IN Walnut
street. HIS performances the ring were excellent,
and he was IA vorite OF the public who had every
confidence In his docillty and gooi nature. Ele-
phants are generally supposed to be good-natured.
just as giants are. though they are known TO
be revengeul 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
Il It was not already up quito high enough. Mad
ness seized upon his british brain, and he broke
his chains, destr Dyed his stable and ranged about
the building in . state OF fearful desperation. A
mad elephant roaming loose In menagerie OF
Wild beasts IS about as dangerous as intoxi.
tod
Columbus was equal to the emergency. His
keepers could 90 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 menagerle. The beasts in the
cages were In corresponding condition Of ex-
element, and threw themselves against The bars
with Jury. The news soon spread throughout the
city that Columbus had discovered America, and
was inclined 10 .estroy portion oft. All ut.
tempts to capture him were about 40 unavaIling
as the effort would be to lasso locomotive going
ct full speed and there were fully JUS titled fears
that he would break down the doors and escape
into the streets. Had that fear been realized
large loss OF life could not have been prevented.
The city authorities took every precaution and
acted as II q British army was invading the town.
The troops were called out and cannon we're
planted In Walnut street to lombard
the elephant II he should make hts
exit from the men agerie. THIS intense state OF
alarm lasted for q day, but fortunately by the
courage Of his Keepers. who lanced Columbus with
spears and Wtchforks from comparatively safe
positions, the treme e.ldously powerful creature
was finally subdued aud securely chatnedN But
there was for hours the unquestionabe danger
that scene would result similar in Its terrible
nature to that which was imagined to take place
In Central Park last Sunday.
IA mr. al ~ nnfh fpov al
ling powder magazine, VINO had Killed several OF
his keepers. and should have been hanged for MUIR
der. II hanging would hurt an elephant, which Is
unlikely. Romeo woulcl have done FOR model for
the elephant which Charles Reade SO picturesquely
describes IN one or hh' novels another rascally
beast which treasured up Its injuries for years
uly avenged them wtten the opportunity was
offered. ns
But menagerie Is nothing without wild AMI
mails. The desire to sec dangerous beasts amounts
to passion, which We al more or less share. No
body cares lor tame hon, and q tame ,lger, II
could be l0und, wou Id be an object or pity or
contempt. The great c.aarm about Herr Dries.
bachs pet leopard. which was "periectly HARM
less,n and which ne used to take ABOUT with HIM
In the streets fres as 1t had been dog. was
that IL had mangled . chi Id who had attempted to
caress the beautiful creature. Then everybody
had secret, dehgh1al lear, which almost
amounted to nope, tnEs some day IL Would turn
upon It's master. Ike the Englishman in Eugene
sues "Wandering Jew" who followed Morok, the
lion tanner, over Europe, having made very ex-
travagant bet that soirie day he would be de-
voured upon the stage. The consciousness OF this
made Morok nervous, and the terrible scene In
which tie black tiger, "D,ath," turns upon him. IL
one OF the most efrective 10 the novel.
We all like to feel that between US and bloody
death nothing is interposed but the IRON bars OF
cage 1t Is strange attrs.ctton to see the CLASSY
eyes OF panth riveted upon our own, or to
catch the lurking glance Of Iroyal Bengal tiger, the
most splendid beast IN the world, as he restlessly
PAGES his narrow quarters The song expresses
this feeling, which tells how
Wen all go together, and we'll 90, OIL
TO see the black hon an . the wild Kangaroo
Wen all go together aud we'll 90, OIL
To see Van Amourghs snow;
and then follows this antci patory stauza OF Joy,
with The chorus OF "Antmalis Roar!n To STIR the
animals up is pleasure not always attended with
pleasant consequences, ond only the other day
there was printed an accou at OF Q reckless young
man who, in teasing hon which was too smart
for him, had his hand torn into shreds, and was
conveyed by his friends to asek relief at neigh.
boring drug store.
But while we may properly indulge this fancy
for wild animals. this coquetting with danger, too
much canton can hardly be Of served. Experience
should teach US that over colhdenee may have
terrible results. The first object In menagerle
should be entire safety, the second completeness.
Our collection or animals at Central Park should
be placed In the strongest buildings and certainly
should be improved III its variety and novelty.
The collections at the Regents Park. In London,
and the Jardln des PGsntes. In Paris,
might. In time, be rivaled In our PARK if
the system OF exhibiting animals loaned for time
by keepers OF menageries in the dull season were
not depended upon SO much. If, In describing the
dangers that migat occur, we have added to the
vigilance that should be always main tanned, the
purpose OF our narrative viii be fulfilled, and now