Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-14
LIONS IN HARNESS
Tho Long Training Needed by the Desert
King Before He'll Slave.
London Field.1

The very spirited illustration OF three
lions driven abreast by man standing
erect in Roman chariot is familiar TO
most residents in London. 1t portrays
without the usual absurd exaggeration Of
mural art an entertainment which IS gwen
daily at the French exhibition at Earls
Court.
In the centre Of the large circular space
which has been used during the last few
wears for the display of the indians OF the
Wild West, the sports of the Roman am-
phitheatre, &C.. is erected smaller circle
securely surrounded with iron bars. having
at the back an enclosed building contain
ing dens. The open sesame" OF my host
passed us into tho private recesses OF
this prison-house. in which l found four
Young lions, the oldest being about three
wears of age. These constituted the trained
troupe. and there was also one younger
scholar who had just been added to the
collection. The education of THIS one was
lust commencing, and he still retained the
feline characteristics to such an extent
that any approach 10 familiarity was met
by snarl which displayed the unshed
milk teeth of the owner. looking as sharp
and needle-like as those of g puppy.
The training of these young lions rarely
occupies less space of time than twelve
months, and is chiefly accomplished by
kindness. Mr.. Darling, their trainer. in
formed me that he regarded force as hot
being desirable. as 1t excited the animals
TO rebellion, and was not conductive TO
obedience. whereas, trained under the sys-
TEN adopted each animal knows It's nalne
and answers to II. SO successful are the
methods employed by Mr.. Darling that he
has never been bitten by the animals du-
ring the time he has had them in hand.
In addition to the lions, the collection
includes two huge Bavarian bOarhOunds
which take very prominent part IN the
performance.
After this introduction to the perform
ers | took my seat with the audience to
witness the exhibition. Mr.. Darling and
his assistant entered the arena with the
lions and one of the dogs; the former at
the word of command leaped upon pc
destals and arranged themselves in pyra-
mldal groups. While in this position Mr..
Darling placed the ends of two scarfs
in the mouths of the lions, forming fes-
toons, over and under which one of the
dogs leaped two OF the hons then stepped
upon plank forming q see-saw, the dog
leaping on TO the centre and swaying ii
from side to side. One of the lions then
mounted a tricycle., working the pedals,
moving the front wheel with its fore feet,
while the boar hound was pushing behind.
The chariot was then brought forward ;
one non tllCItu Ithiily DCtnCO VIC SiitlAS
and two Others took their places at either
side, one proving rather refractory, but,
after sundry grCwls he submitted TO tho
stronger Will of the trainer. who mounted
the chariot and drove the trio round the
circle.
The performance is very distinct from
that of Lon-taners in general, who rule
their charges with rods of iron, and prod
them with points worse than the stings Of
scorpions. utilizing the fear and terror of
the animals at the superior power of man.
Mr.. Darling, on the other hand, is very
familiar with the members of his troupe.
The manner in which he took hold of the
forelegs of one of the largest and pulled
him down from the pedestal. when ne was
not sufficiently quick in descending was
amusing.
The lions are of African descent, but,
like the majority of the species now in
menageries. have all been born in cap
tiyity and familiarized with man from
their birth. Whether they will retain
their docility as they advance toward their
full size remains to be seen; but at present
they offer the most complete specimens OF
trained lions tnat it has ever been the
writer's fortune to witness.