WILD BEAST TAMING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 154, 8 May 1879, Page 3

WILD BEAST TAMING.

The London correspondent of the Melbourne Argus, writes .'-People talk of soldiers going to bo shot at for sixpence a day, but after all soldiering—even if we were always at war—is a safe calling compared with some others about which not half the fuss is made. At the Thames 1 ohce Court last week, a young fellow applied for arrears of salary, due to him .roiil a keeper of a menagerie. From his statement, it appears that teaching lions and tigers their acrobatic performances, is a profession that brings at the utmost £IOO year. It is dangerous enough at any time, but when the public take it into their heads to shout and holloa, and throw t''uigsat tho cages, the animals become very furious. The applicant m question, was attacked by two lions at once under these circumstances, and had been in the hospital thirteen weeks in consequence. h hat is most important (in tho manager's eyes) is that the lion tamer should "bolt the cage directly he gets inside, but this, of course, creates a difficulty when lie w islies to bolt himself, In fact, even to appear to retreat is death to him; whatever happens he must fight it out to tho last, and sooner or later he has to do it. And this frightful performance takes place twice ,1 day, besides the private. ' lessons he lias to give to his truculent pupils in order to fit them for their appearance before the public.