The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-08
TWO DoMEsrrcA 1ED LIONS.
Proef that Kindness may VITA even me Mod
Feeoctous of Henats.


BosToN, Dec. Cat "a Howard street, in
this city. is n most remarkable excmpllncation
Of the subdulng power OF Kindness upon dumb
animals. In an apartment about ton by twelve
feet. separated from tho sitting room Ivy an ordi-
nary partition wall and slight barred door aro
the only pair of African lions ever raised in this
country. Their owner Is Mrs. NJ H. Lincoln.
tho occupant Of the house. She was formerly
connected with an itncrant troupe TO which
she loaned money. md took ~ security bill OF
sale Of six lions-four Of ono litter and two OF
another-and thoy were never redeemed. They
were then. twenty nine months ago infants.
and she became 10 them almost mother. She
brought them up In her arms. feeding them
from an ordinary nursing bottle, which even
now the two survivors will suck with the great
n year ago they remained in the room with her.
and were there exhibited in the presence OF Wis
itOrs but at the request OF the city authorities
she then shut them up in tho apartment de-
seribed. -Four OF the original lot died ut yari-
~ ages; leaving q surSyor OF Gach utter
ara Willie and Martha. Willie weighs about 32j
pounds. and ~ bis S2mpanion Will probably y tlp
ie's mane has been darkening. and will soon
be very nearly, blnck. Mrs. LINCOLN gossps
about her children with all the freedom and
interest Of u natural mother, often pausinR to
answer the inquiring look OF lille, or 70 speak
10 , Mnrtna ns she stands ~ the gratcd door
Of Tecogntion. The simple, question. spoken
In the most gnict manner. Willle, do You want
10y hls jumping in glec about his room II he IL
not dry he pays no heed to the inquiry. Mrs,
with nothing but a little wand hardly moro
than foot In length, which she seldom uses
except TO pat them aifectionately. AT the word
of command. spoken firmly but quietly. they
will lie PROSTATE. roll over. place their paws in
her hand. stand Mt full height. and even put
their faces up To hers and kiss her in rs alice
Tomato manner rs would "a dog
Martha is less active than her male compan-
ion. and is always silent while he growls good
naturrdly at the mastery which Mrs. Lincoln
exercises over him. Both seem TO cultivate tho
society OF gcquaintances. hut take no notHo
whatever OF strangers except to stare ut them.
So keen II their sense that they !nstunly rccO-.
nze the step of the boy who brings Tor
ench the six pounds of raw beef which IA
their allowance. upon every day but sunday.
On this day thoy fast, and so accustomed have
they become to this that they manifest no impa-
thence. nor even desire Tor food when tho
noon Of that day arrives, Some two hours ia
occupied in their eating the bones bong picked
Thorn.
Once in every day. whom the weather l. suit;
able. Mrs. Lincoln takes her children"
IA she calls them. through the sitting
room % an open yard 1ncloscd by tho
hlgh ,WllS OF nulolhihs bullulhEs, Wh'Is lhrr
ROMAN for nm hour or more. enjoying air aud
exercise. Hero. last summer, they were photo
grnphed. without the intervention OF any bars
or other screen. between the artist and them
selves, Hero, too several of the Art School
students have made studies from MIXTURE. and to
some Of these. particularly ono lady who spent
some time In painting the portrait OF Willie.
thoy have become much attached. All these pc
culinritics ARE the result Of Kindness. No
threatening gesture. no angry word. no blows.
and no exhibition OF unkind feeling ia over
allowed In their presence. Their every wish IL
grntiiled by their mistress. 50 lar ~ her CAREFUL
and practised eve can detect their desires. They
are shiol, Ted from cold ana from the rays Of tho
sun. neither Of which they can bear with re-
ltglous care. Their room or cago Is Kept srru-
ins until night. 81 foni are thew 6i Mrs' Lin.
~