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In England it has been the custom for many years now, when our voyagers and travellers go abroad into distant lands, for them to bring home with them some of the wild and carious creatures, both birds, and beasts, and reptiles, which they found in other lands. These were usually given to the king, who made the parties a present in return. A place was provided for them in the old Tower of London, and there they were kept and fed, the public being admitted to see them on certain days, on paying one shilling each. It is now nearly forty years since I saw the king's collection of wild beasts in the Tower; and I remember that the keepers wore the dress of the royal yeomen of the guard, and fine-looking fellows they were.

Beside those given to the king, some would sometimes be sold, and being put into strong cages with iron bars, were drawn about the country in caravans for the people to see at wakes and fairs. Well do I remember, when a boy, with what rapturous delight we hailed the news that the wild beast shows were coming to our "nine days mart," as our fairs in April and October were called in the charter of king Charles. Out we went, crowds of us, to meet them, sending our anxious sight all down the road to catch the first glimpse of the yellow caravans; and when they drew near we formed their escort into the town, shouting for joy all down the streets, and never ceasing to express our uproarous mirth till the waggons drew up in the spacious "mart-yard." And then on the mart-morning, how anxiously did we watch for the hoisting of the big pictures, which were to tell us what was to be seen inside; and as they were unrolled, one after the other, how did we stand, rapt in amazement and wonder, at the savage creatures that stood on the canvass, staring at us with horrid fiery eyes, and with mouths and teeth that seemed as if they would grind us up and eat us in a moment.

THE MENAGERIE.

Ah, me! how simple and silly we are when we are children, and what a pity it is that some of us do not grow wiser when we grow older.

But there has been a great improvement made of late years in the places where wild animals are kept for exhibition. In London, there are what are called the Zoological Gardens, or, gardens for living animals. There is one in Regents Park, and another on the other side of the river in Surrey. Here the various birds, and beasts, and fishes, are all kept in places suitable for them. Here are pools for birds or beasts that love water, and deep dens for the bears, and stables for the giraffes, and all sorts of contrivances are made to make the places suitable to the tastes and habits of the various creatures. I cannot describe all the curious living animals that are to be seen in these gardens.

But one thing is very pleasant and agreeable about these gardens-the creatures are not all kept in one confined place, as in a caravan, but some are in one part of the gardens, and some in another. And there are nice gravel walks winding about, up little hills and down again, all planted with rare shrubs and beautiful flowers, and pools of water with water-lilies floating and blooming on the top, and gold and silver fishes swimming about beneath. All these make it very pleasant and agreeable to visit these garden menageries.

And now I might tell you of some sad accidents which have sometimes happened through some people, older as well as younger, going too near the cages or dens in wild beast exhibitions; but, as I do not wish to make you feel unhappy, I will say nothing about them. But I would caution you very earnestly, always, when you go to see such creatures, to keep far enough off, and then you will be safe Children should never go without their parents, or some friends who will take care of them.

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There is just another thing I would notice here; I would never go to see any collection of wild beasts where men go into the dens or cages to the wild animals. Such conduct is very perilous and blameable, and may be attended by awful consequences, to which I would not be a party, and of which I would not be a spectator. I have heard of some bold women who have done so too-more shame on them! Such disgraceful and dangerous attempts to get money ought to be frowned upon and discountenanced by all good people. I would teach such people better manners, by never letting them have one penny of mine, and hindering all I could from going near them.

Well; I cannot finish without saying, that in walking through a well-ordered menagerie, a pious person will be led to reflect on the wonderful power of the Great Creator.

"The living tribes of countless forms

In earth, and sea, and air,

The meanest flies, the smallest worms,
Almighty power declare.

Thy wisdom, power, and goodness Lord,
In all thy works appear;

And O! let man thy praise record

Man, thy distinguish'd care!"

Yes, these were all made by Him; but he made man to be lord over them all, and he is lord over them all. No single animal of any kind can take other animals and keep them under its controul. But man can take the lordly lion, and the fierce tiger, and the noble eagle, and the horrid boa constrictor, and the stately giraffe, and compel them to obey his will. We are, therefore, greater than they. Indeed, we were made only a little lower than the angels, and crowned with glory and honour. What a pity that our glory should be sullied by our sins. All praise to Him who came to take away our sins, and restore us to glory, honour, and immortality!

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