Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-09-09
giraiaia Gree gress.
Ho,c Young Lions are Tanned.

According to Herr Hageubeck the show
man, the tanners of wild beasts use no secret
methods or magic spells. In fact, they pro-
coed very much as child would in tanning
wild kitten. If a lion is to be-taught to
ride on horseback it is necessary 10 be very
patient at first, and take a great deal of
time If possible, il is bes; to begin when
he is young-less than year old.
If he was born in captivity he is already
accustomed to see persons outside bis cage,
but not inside. All his instincts are still
fierce
When the tanner FIRST opens the cage door
aud steps inside the youngster at once dis
plays fear He will probably jump at the
trainer, snarling savagely, for that Is his
way of showing alarm. The only course
that can be pursued is to beat him off with
a light club the first lesson be learns Is
that it is not safe for him to attack man.
Sometimes, in bis excitement and fear, he
| will make several attacks, one after the otter.
The trainer merely beats him off, and in the
end the young lion retires snarling to the
far corner of his cage.
The trainer does not follow him, but sits
down quietly on box or chair inside the
cage, paying no particular attention to him.
He sits there for one or two hours, some
times three hours at n stretch This is done
to accustom the lion to the presence of. u
man in his cage, aud to wear out his natur-
Al fear and ierceness This first lesson is
repeated on the following day and is con-
tinued for n week or perhaps a month.
Next, the trainer takes piece of meat
into the cage, and, waiting until the lion is
hungry, offers it on the end of a long stick
Very likely the lion will not touch it at first,
perhaps, not for many days. or if he seizes
It, his manner will not be such a. to indi-
cate thankfulness. But by patience and
persistence he will be induced by. and-by to
come and take his food from the stick, and
eventually from the trainers hand.
Not infrequen,y he will try to bite the
hand that offers the meat aud generally
speaking, it is deemed signal victory when
young lion will voluntarily approach and
take his food from the keepers hand. Soon
after this he will allow the trainer to stroke
his head Towards stranger he may ex-
hibit quite as much ierocity as at first The
next step is to put chain round the young
| fellows neck and lead him about the cage ;
md most trainers deem it necessary to bind
4 lion down to the bottom Of the cage once
nr twice in order to instil Into his naturally
iutractable mind the fact that human bonds
are irresistible, and that chains cannot be
broken.
The various ieats which 20 to make up
modern performing lions education are
afterwards taken up one by one and taught
gradually. The only secrets" that Herr
HsgeHber'' kacv arc endless r'''ence and
oit.repeatef IT, Needless cruelty is
always avoided nevertheless, it is neces.
-ary that lions, as well as tigers, eopards,
and most other wild beasts, should hold
their keepers in fear Gentleness and kind
ness alone are not sufficient; these fierce
animals must be made to know that their
trainer is absolutely master.
1t should be added that there is almost, r
quite, as much difference in young lions rs
~ boys. Some are much more docile and
intelligent than others. Some develop good
and trustworthy traits; others prove stolid,
and can never be fully trusted