CIRCUS LIFE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4512, 6 September 1875, Page 3

CIRCUS LIFE.

Menageries form also an attractive part of some travelling shows, and the she-tamers of wild beasts are prominent among circus celebrities. Van Amburgh, in answer to a question put by the Duke of Wellington, said that if he ever felt afraid he should retire "from the beast line." The greater number of lions in this country have been bred in cages, and are more readily tamed than those purchased in a wild state. It i 3 said that the Saugers own a lion which is so tame that it is allowed to roam at large in their house like a cat. Lion tamers must be strictly sober men. Macomo, one of the most daring of the fraternity, never drank any beverage stronger than coffee. " Many stories of his exploits are told by showmen. One of the finest tigers ever imported into this country, and said to be the identical beast that escaped from Jamrach's possession and killed a boy before it was recaptured, was purchased by Manders and placed in a cage with another tiger. The two boasts soon began to fight, and were engaged in a furious conflict, when Macomo entered the cage, armed only with a whip, and attempted to separate them. Both the tigers immediately turned their fury on him, and severely lacerated him with their sharp claws, but covered with blood as he was, he continued to belabor them with the whip until they cowered before him, and knew him for their master." Like Van Amburgh and Crockett, Macomo died a natural death. Macarthy, the successor of Macomo, was less fortunate. He was of intemperate habits, and often turned his back upon the animals, though cautioned not to do so. He died a horrible death at Bolton, as some of our readers may remember. The exhibition of wild beasts is rarely very profitable, so great ai'e the expense and risk; but it appears that the animals will sometimes render their keepers essential service when in pecuniary difficulties. " A sheriffVofficer was one day about to arrest a debtor when the man ran under an elephant's belly, and took up a safe position on the other side. The officer, trying to go behind, was prevented by a sudden movement of the elephant's hind-quarters ; he then tried to dive under the animal, but the beast gave him a slap with his trunk. ' I'll have you if I wait here all day,' said he, as he drew back hastily. ' You had better not wait till I unfasten this chain,' said the elephant keeper, pretending to do what ho threatened, upon which the officer moved off, and the man escaped." A similar tale is told uf a liontamer, who, in order to avoid arrest, took refuge among his lions. —" Circus Life and Circus Celebrities."