The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-11-14
Anlighted Beasts.

No one as yet has ever seen such
sight as geological collection burnt
not, at any rate, since the Roman ampi-
theater, with its reserves of ferocious
beasts, was destroyed by fire; and the
behavior of the various animals under
such an experience of hideous novelty
must, therefore, becertainly conjectural.
When Wombwell's once caught fire, the
monkeys, getting loose, proceeded to
plumber the gingerbread stall within the
tent, and, regardless of the flames
which, by the way, roasted only a cock
too-stuffed their cheek pouches so full
of the seductive CONNECTION that they were
seen going about on three arms and
holding the contents of their mouths in
with the fourth. When Barnum's-or
what is still called by that dollar-allur-
ing name-was in flames at Chicago,
Jumbo the illustrious carried his own
bulky person safely beyond the reach of
the confagration, and thence surveyed
its progress with the utmost serenity.
But there is vast gulf between the
volatile ape and the deliberate behemoth,
and from the diversity of character which
distinguishes the intermediate species of
animals, it is possible that the study of
them under circumstances of such ex-
ceptional dismay would result in some
curious observations. 1t is difficult to
believe that the phlegmatic, philosophi-
cal bear would comport himself in the
same manner as the frivolous baboon, or
that no difference would be apparent
between the demeanors of the supercili-
Gus, lazy camel and the lively, excitable
kangaroo. That serpents would display
any of their proyerbial indifference to
the excessive heat is as unlikely as that
the salamander would sustain the repu-
tation of its traditions. The smaller
creatures would doubtless abandon
themselves to cremation without further
opposition, but it is hardly credible
that the more powerful or sagacious
would not make some effort at self-pres-
ervation. Even in the Geological gar
dens, hopeless of conflict with their
bars as they must have. become long
ago, the lions will sometimes excite
themselves and their neighbors into
paroxysms of activity at some sight or
sound that stirs the old forest blood in
their veins, and makes them forget for
the instant the bonds that are on them.
Under such a sudden and startling
revelation as their cages surrounded by
flames, it is easy to understand that the
characters of the different animals
would be wildly displayed. Every
type of beast would Immediately betray
itself, and in the combined tumult of
voices-comparable only to the mid
night sound of 1.-The Libyan wilderness,
with all its lions up''-would be heard
every gTadation of passion, from the
furious protest of the strong to the pa
thetic entreaty of the weak Nor, as
having something of the grotesque in
it, would the result be uninteresting if
the proprietor, to save his animals, or
TO spare their torture, were to do what
Mr.. Wombwell's predecessor. said he
would do if fire broke out, and set the
Gagged things loose to run for their lives.
Now and again it has happened that
the residents of peaceful neighborhoods
have been perplexcd, or even alarmed,
by the apparftion of a beast of prey,
African or Asiatic, quietly providing
along a public thoroughfare, like
tourist from foreign parts, or concealed
in q private garden, like some burglar
disturbed in his avocation. What, how
ever, is such an individual visitation
compared with the possibilities of q
whole menagerie turned out upon such
a populous city as Manchester-rhinoce-
roses in the churches, bears in the town
hall, and alligators in the railway
waiting-rooms? So that, whether we
consider the escape of the Baldwin me-
nagerie from fire. or the alternative of
their escape from their cages, the result
still remains one for congratulation;
and even at the price Of losing the
transparency of the gallant admiral,
Manchester may be considered very
fortunate in the preservation of its
popular gardens and the security of its
birds and beasts.-London Telegraph.