THE LION'S MOUTH AND THE TAMER'S HEAD.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2319, 21 May 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE LION'S MOUTH AND THE TAMER'S HEAD.

A correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette has interviewed Seeth, the Sweedish lion man at Olympia. He is about twenty-four, ih magnificent condition, with clear eyes and red cheeks, enormous hips and legs, a wonderful chest and arms and hands that look powerful enough to crack a lion's skull, both covered with honourable scars. Let him explain for himself—" If I put my head in the lion's mouth, I have my hands on his jaws. You see I only wear a small moustache; a beard or whiskers are dangerous, because they tickle the lion's tongue, and he would resist. As for danger, it is ridiculous. If a man steers a ship he must have been taught how to steer ; if a lady drives a chariot she has had many lessons ; a man cannot sit a fiery horse if he has never been across a horses back before. As it is with them so it is with me, You take my place this evening, and the audience will have a very gory exhibition. This is not my debut in the lion's den. I am passionately fond of wild beasts. My father had a menagerie in Sweden ; he began to train me when I was a boy of seven, and we used to enter the cage of boasts together. When I was 15 I took live lions to Russia on my own account-. Now lam 24, and am still alive. My father is over SO. He is alive too. So'much for danger. If I got drunk, then I might as well be dead." " How do you train your lions ?" " That is my business. I may be a bit rough 011 them at first, but kindness 'is my receipt. I have had my present company about a year and a half, and my old lion is so fond of me that he would interpose ou my behalf if the other seven attacked me. Need I tell you that I would enter the cage at any time without stick or whip, but they are effective, like the pistol. My lioness hates me, but she fears me too, so what care I for her hate ?" " Tigers or hyrenas are quite in your line of course?" " Certaiuly. Tigers are the most dangerous of any performing animals. But when I am buying them I can tell with certainly whether they will be too dangerous for exhibition. I would, for instance, go to the Zoo, and in a few minutes tell yon which of he animals would submit to training. After twe or three days' practice with new purchases I perform with them. lam willing to bet £20,000 that two of my lions will follow me round the ring like two dogs."