The Washington times., 1894-03-25
DANCING in
A LIONS DEN.

Had you come into the theatre at the
Aquarium fifteen minutes ago you would
have seen the novel sight OF an audience per-
fectly motionless and perfectly silent. Spell
bound. indeed, they were. with eyes fixed on
the large cage that filed the whole stage.
What was it that produced this strange ef-
feet on a London audience, proverbally blase,
as we are said to be, that made you forget
the 'music;' forget to listen to the banter OF
the two French visitors behind you; forget
time and space, and look only on the deadly
sight before you? Deadly. and yet SO beauti-
full you could not but derive artistic pleasure
from it, When the curtain went up cage
with four young lions was revealed on the
stage Magnificent creatures all the four OF
them, and nearly full grown, though the
name of the male lion had not yet had time
to grow shaggy. They looked lively enough.
but lively only. and not ill-tempered
Then a man went into the cage, whip in
one hand and long staff in the other. The
end of the staff you noticed consisted OF two
iron prongs, gitteriLg and pointed. In
moment the four wild creatures flew in mad
fury around the cage. Cesare, the male hon,
quivering with rage. his great eyes on fire, his
breath coming quick and fast, and his Jaws
wide open. When this had gone on for
minute or two the trainer drove his painting
charges into corner OF the cage. The lion
esses huddled together and were silent. but
Cesare in his rage, stood up, Kissing, pant
ing quivering with excitement, and again
and again arising to engage in battle with his
enemy.
But the handsome face of the trainer,
white and set. never moved; his eyes were
steadily fixed on the beast, and just as the
latter rose on its haunches the cruel prong
was pointed at his face. Back he sank In
impotent rage for a moment, and then up
again. to be thwarted once more.
Again the cage door opened quickly and
silently, and there stood behind the trainer
white yision--a girl in loose, silvery gown.
Slowly. softly, she came nearer, nearer, till
she was close to Cesare and his covering
friends. A change came over the creature
his wild eyes turned from the trainer, he
pricked his ears at the sound OF the low, bell
like voice, and the white vision bent over
him and whispered sweet little speeches in
musical French.
But only for a moment. and then again
new paroxysm of fury came upon him. The
trainers Napoleonic face did not move; like
a statue he stood, prod in hand, with calm,
cold eyes on the lion, while behind him, in a
ruby light, the white girl danced and swayed
and bent her graceful body to the sound OF the
music. Before you knew it she had disap-
peared and was back again, while the ami
mails had another chase around the cage.
Back she came in a wide, gltterlng gar
ment, thin as cobweb. and falling in soft folds
around her almost to her feet. As she tripped
about. holding up the dress till 1t looked like
two gigantic butterfly wings. sparkling with
many colored Jewels the lions eyes followed
her everywhere. Sne bewitched them for the
moment, though Cesare again and again es-
capped the spell and fawned and beat his tail,
a 81.
embrace.
The third time the girl came in; again in
different attire. This time the chase went on
and on. and in the midst among the roaring,
infuriated beasts. the figure OF the girl ap-
peared. dancing a skirt dance. her wide gar
ment curling and waving about her, till it
seemed to fill the cage like white cloud
tinged with the gold and purple of Sum-
mer sunset.
In ten minutes the performance was over;
the trainer looked only shade whittier when
he bowed to the audience than he had done
when he went in, and the lady looked cool
and calm and smiling.
Less than five minutes after the curtain fell,
and before the lights were lowered on the
stage. a representative of the Westminster
Gazette was admitted to the dressing room of
Mile Bob Walter" She was wrapped in a
creamy dressing gown, and discussed her
performance In the prettiest French manner
Have l the air of being nervous! she said.
proceeding with her toilette Il do not know
what nervousness is. Why should L? The
lions are friends of mine. and Cesare would
not hurt me for the world. When 1 am at
my own house in Paris he sleeps in my bed
room with nothing but collar round his
neck and cord to keep him from roaming
about TOO much. l would like to show you
I am not afraid. Come, let's go and see them
now. and I'll go in to them
Mademoiselle's maid put wrap around her
shoulders and we went back to the stage
One OF the young lionesses was lying on her
back. purring with pleasure and playing with
the end OF a stick which one of her French
friends pointed at her The two others lolled
about. looking perfectly at ease and just
trife wearied. Cesare only stood erect at one
end of the stage, growing, excited, and with
his eyes fixed on the door of one of the dress
ing rooms.
''The tanner has not come out yet.'' whis-
pered Mademoiselle; "Cesare scents him and
won't lie down till he has gone''
''Cesare, she called out, in that soft. sill
very voice of hers. "Cesare mon petit Coco,
viens ici.'' And the wild creature left the
spot where he was watching and waiting for
the enemy. and came and put his head against
the dress of his lady friend, and allowed him
sell to be stroked and fondled. and behaved
as any kitten might when it sees its dish be-
ing filed with things good to eat
With the giant Cesare at her feet her little
ieweled hands buried in his name. it did not
look as If there were much enmitv between
the two parties. But the performance looks
terrible-terrible. though beautiful. London
Figaro.