Lions at a Discount.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 May 1910, Page 4

Lions at a Discount.

A MENAGERIE SOLD CHEAP,

The sale of (the famous menagerie of the late M. Bidal 'took place at Asnieres recently. The bidding was by no means spirited, and the correspondent of the " St. James' Gazette" states that the animals (themselves seemed to share the general apathy as to their future. The prices were considered by the cognoscent to be ridiculously low, and it would seem (that lion-taming is at a discount. The best group of performers, comprising the lion Pluto and the two lionesses Pepio and Cora, went for £140, in spite of the mimic savagery of the king of beasts and the pretended spiteful clawing of Madame Cora. Five young lionesses, who played with each other like huge kittens, in spite of being nearly full grown, and who lay blinking and purring side by side in a cage hardly large enough to hold them, were sold for £60, and Lily, the tigress, brought in only £64.

Two magnificent Siberian wolves were practically given away for £7 10s, less than one of their furs would fetch, and Romeo, a little black hear, was knocked down for £11, in spite of his many comical accomplishments and his ability to drink from a bottle. The friendly little beast seemed ito enjoy the crowd, which indulged his liking for being talked to, and benignantly allowed his back to be scratched or his paw to be shaken by anybody who liked. A Polar bear brought C 32, and Miss Mignonne, a panther, with only three legs, was bought for £14 10s, or nine times tho price paid for a handsome, hut rather sulky, male puma, whoso figure of 35s was the lowest recorded, being beaten even by the 53s bid for two little female monkeys. All the beasts, except, perhaps, the little bear, wore in magnificent coait and condition, and must have been rare bargains to their purchasers. The principal buyer was Mr Bostock.