The record-union., 1898-01-30
WASSERMAN DAVIS CO., K between Sixth and Seventh.

able meeting. Pere Pezon had brought
into the nuptial salon all the animala
which had died in his menagere and
which had been stuffed by eminent
naturalists. The dowry of the bride
was four lions. A friend of the family
sent her present of a little Java
panther, while her brother contributed
a couple of serpents to the gifts
Nine. Baptiste had entered the lions
den on several occasions. The first
time was in Italy, where her husband
fell i'll. Without saying anything to
him, she put on the costume he was
accustomed to wear while performing,
and took his place in the midst of the
lions, which obeyed her without any
trouble. AS regards Pere Pezon. ever
since the accident which happened to
him at Chalons, where he was nearly
killed by a white bear, he had ceased
tanning. and confined himself to the
post of manager. He died rich. and
possessed not only property in his ma
tive village. but also a villa at Mon
treuil-sous-Bo the pretty suburb
He preferred, however. to sleep in his
caravan, surrounded by his wild beasts,
for whom he appears to have had d
veritable affection.
Pere Pezon was very proud of his
profession and would not allow any
body to doubt his authority over his
beasts. At one time the Prefecture or
Police, moved by a series of accidents.
prohibited the '.dompteurs" from en-
tering the cages. Pezon. who was at
the moment at the Gingerbread Fair
rushed to the Prefecture to demand the
withdrawal of the prohibition. If it
is not granted me- he said, Il shall
harness four lions to my carriage, and
go to the Prefect. We shall then see
if there is policeman who will dare
to stop me-" The Prefect was much
amused by this menace, and granted
the demand of the old Snowman. His
menagerie was once burned down, and
only two animals We're saved. Il took
him some time to recover from such a
heavy blow to mis- fortune.
The spectacle which PeZon offered to
the public every night required or his
part long and patient labor of which
the danger is easily perceived. One of
the assistants of the "dompteur' whom
l questioned yesterday gave me some
curious details on the subject TT has
often been pretended" he said. that
the animals are tanned by starvation
and hard thrashing. This is a great
mistake. One of the most efficacious
means to become master of lions. bears
and tigers consists in the deprivation of
sleep and an excess of food. But the
surest process, and that which Pezon
made use of, is sangfroid and courage.
The wild beast, which cannot discern
the object of the dompteur,' attributes
to a supernatural force the audacity
which enables the tanner to defy it. 1t
feels sentiment of surprise, astonish-
ment and fear. 1t is on that sentiment
that depends the life of the domp-
teur,' who must not fail to take advan-
tage of it with GOODNESS, courage and
energy"
The obsequies of Jean Baptiste Pezon
will take place tomorrow The fu-
neral procession will leave the domi-
cile of the deceased. that is to say, the
menagerie. installed at the fete of
Montmarte, and the religious ceremony
will be performed at the Church of ST.
Pierre. The body of the dead man will
be buried at Pere-Lachaise. The body
reposeS on a bed facing the wild beasts.
but it will be transferred tonight to
nortuary chapel erected in front or
the menagerie, which will be hung
with black curtains and silver orna-|
ments. A large quantity of flowers has
already been deposited on the coffin by
the friends and admirers of the vet-