Sensational Ballooning.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 175, 23 October 1886, Page 6 (Supplement)

Sensational Ballooning.

One of the most startling announcements in connection with Mesara Sanger'a "Jubilee Fete," at Wormwood Scrubbs, waa the anticipation that a live lion would ascend wich a balloon. We know that Meaaes SaDger have, or had, a lion that could be trusted almost anywhere. He took his place on the top of the car when the Queen went to St. Paul's after the Prince of Wales recovered from his illness, and has occupied the same lofty position in several circus parades To the beat of our knowledge, however, Easter Monday passed off without the lion taking part in any balloon aaoent — a much more sensible arrangement than the original one. We cannot indeed, believe that it could ever have been seriously contemplated ; a bull in a china shop would not be more out of place than a lion tacked on to a balleon. Moreover, it is improbable that what was not permitted fifty years ago would be permitted today. On September 27th, 1838, VanAmburgh, the famous tamer of wild animals, proposed to ascend from Vauxhall in one of^ Green's balloons, having a tiger with him in the car. London was well "billed" with highly-coloured representations of the proposed trip. Van Amburgh himself stood in the foreground, in an imposing attitude ; beside him was the tiger with his forelegs on the edge of the car. Two individuals, presumably Mr Green and his assistant, had wisely stationed themselves behind the tiger. The first objection to this foolhardy proposal came from an Essex farmer. Several balloons from Vauxhall had alighted in the fields of the worthy agriculturist, and on two occasions a field of standing oats had been trodden down. Feariul, therefore, that the balloon might take the same course, the farmer applied to the nearest bench of magistrates to see whether the ascent could not be prohibited. This drew attention to Van Amburgh's pro posed undertaking, which after representations had been made to him, was abandoned. — " The Field."