Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-12-04
A rANors rloAr1Ne nR1per.

Inc greatest ana most famous OF ali UOat-
ing bridges was built by the Roman En-
peror Caligula in 4. d. SO. An immense
number OF boats was anchored in the bays
of Baie and Puteoli in two lines, in the
form of crescent, over three miles long.
A flooring of planks was laid upon them
and covered with earth. Houses were built
upon it, and fresh water was conveyed to
them by pipes from the shore. When all
was ready, the Emperor, accompanied by
his court and throng Of spectators rode in
solemn procession from one end of the
bridge to the other He was clothed in
costly robes adorned with gold and pearls,
and wore Alexander's breast-plate and a
civic crown. At evening the whole bridge
was illuminated with torches and lanterns,
and Caligula boosted that be turned the
night into day, as well as the sea into
land The whole court slept that night
in the houses on the bridge. Next day
there was another procession, in which
Caligula rode in triumphant chariot, fol-
lowed by train of other chariots The
insane Emperor then made an Grafton in
praise of his work, and wound up the fes-
tivities by ordering large number of spec
tstors 10 be thrown into the sea Vide
4wake.
TAME LIONS AFFECTION.
The story is told of Gerard, the great lion
hunter, that ne captured q whelp in the
mountains OF Jebel- MezouIs, Algiers
named il Hubert, and brought il up as he
would bring up dog from puppyhood
Afier some time, his huge pet becoming
too dangerous to 60 at large, Gerard made
a present of the animal 70 his friend, the
Due d'Aumale, and Hubert travelled TO
Paris in big cage, bemoaning his separa-
ton from his old master The next year
Gerard himself visited Paris on lea7e of
absence from the army, and went at once
to the Jardin des Plantes to see his exiled
favOrite He describes the interview as
follows
Hubert was lying down. half asleep, re-
garding at intervals with half shut eyes the
persons who were passing and repassing
before him. All of q sudden he raised his
head, his tail moved, his eyes dlated a
nervous motion contracted the muscles Of
his face. He had seen the uniform Of the
Spahis, but had not yet recognized his
friend. ! drew nearer and nearer, and no
longer able to restrain my emotion,
stretched my hand out to him through the
bars.
" Without ceasing his earnest gaze he APP
piled his nose to my hand and drew in
knowledge with long breath. At each
inhalation his attitude became more noble,
his look more satisfied and affectionate
Under the uniform that had been so dear
to him he began to recognize the friend of
his heart
" l felt that it only needed single word
TO dissipate all doubt.
as Hubert | said, as | laid NV hand on
him my old soldierr
Not another word With furious
bound and q note of welcome he sprang
against the iron bars that bent and trenl-
bled with the blow. My friend fled in ter
ror, calling on me 10 do the same Noble
animal You made the world tremble even
in your ecstacies OF pleasure.
Hubert was standing with his cheek
against the grating, attempting to break
down the obstacle that separated US, mag
nificent to behold as he shook the walls Of
the building with his roars of Joy and an
ger. His enormous tongue licked the band
that | abandoned to his caresses, while with
his paws he gently tried to draw me to him
If any one tried TO come near he fell into
frenZies of rage, and when the visitors fell
back to a distance he became calm and ca
ressing as before, handling me with his
huge paws, rubbing against the bars and
licking my hand, while every gesture and
moan and look told of his Joy and love.
When l turned to leave him he shook
the gallery with his hearuending roars;
and it was not till had gone back to him
twenty times, and tried to make him IN
derstand that l would come again, that
succeeded in quitting the place.
After that l came to see my friend
daily, sometimes spending several hours
with him in his cage. But after a
while I noticed that he became sad
and dispirited, and when the keepers
alluded to his furious agitation and
excitement every time I left him
and attributed his worn-out and changed
appearance TO this cause, 1 took their ad-
vice and made my visits as seldom as posi-
Bile. One day, some four months from the
time Of my first meeting with him in Paris,
entered the garden, and one of the keep
ers came forward, saluting, and said: Don't
come any more, sir, Hubert is dead. =
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