Chapter II: Part 2

RUBENS has here painted one Lion as scowling, another as if in a sort of mysterious meditation, and a third yawning with ennui—no doubt to diversify a composition wherein he was of necessity obliged to introduce a considerable number of animals of the same kind.

The Lion has been, of all quadrupeds whatever, the most idealised by the Arts, and the most variously represented. The tide of opinion ran for centuries in his favour. Kings took their designations from him: amongst whom have been our first RICHARD; but of late years very reputable travellers and other authors have appeared, who would bring down the poetic generosity, the reputation of which the Lion has so long enjoyed, to the plain prose craft and cruelty of the rest of the feline race.

The noble disdain with which a Lioness, though half famished, and “with udders all drawn dry,”—scorned to prey on a sleeping man—Must we part with the sentiment? Must we also disbelieve the story which has been commemorated by a large French engraving, of a Lion gently taking up in his mouth a fallen infant, and as gently setting it down again, to the infinite delight of its terrified mother?—Such anecdotes have pleased and flattered us; but may possibly have gained undeserved credit because they pleased, and have pleased because they flattered—_human_ nature.

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_E. Spilsbury del^t._ _T. Landseer sculp^t._

LIONS after RUBENS.]

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_E. Spilsbury del^t._ _T. Landseer sculp^t._

LIONS after RUBENS.]

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_Edwin Landseer delin^t._ _T. Landseer sculp^t._

LIONESS & BITCH from CROSS’S MENAGERIE.]

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No. XVII.

Repeated instances of FRIENDSHIPS BETWEEN THE LION AND THE DOG, have occurred at the Menagerie at the Tower, as well as elsewhere in England: and we have pleasure in adding a corroborating fact of a novel character. Mr. EDWIN LANDSEER made it the subject of a Drawing from Nature, and we here present the public with an Engraving after it, executed by his brother, and numbered in our collection, 16.

A female whelp was accidentally found, quite young, and even before its eye-lids were unclosed, in an African forest not far from the sea shore. It was brought on board ship by some sailors, where a smallish black bitch, by birth quite an ignoble cur, having recently pupped, the experiment was successfully made, of ascertaining whether she would suckle the young Lioness, who was christened _Charlotte_.—_Charlotte_ soon began to thrive, and to play kitten frolics; and continued to be thus nurtured, till, at no great length of time, she became so much larger than her foster-parent, and required so much food, as to induce the necessity of weaning her.

But the two quadrupeds continued, ever after, to live together on the most friendly and affectionate terms; constantly inhabiting the same cage, and habitually partaking of the same messes of provision. The Lioness, though now grown large, having never seen any other mother, continued through life to shew marks of daughterly obedience, and the bitch, of maternal regard. Mr. EDWIN LANDSEER, as well as many others, has frequently seen them caressing each other in their cage at the Exeter ’Change Menagerie, in the manner which he has represented: the Drawing, which exhibits portraits both of the LIONESS and BITCH, having been done some years ago.

And these kitten frolics, or the youthful disposition to indulge in them, continued on the part of the Lioness, till her older and graver nurse became tired of the lion-play, and would sometimes snarl and bark forbiddingly. It was very entertaining, and an interesting chapter in Natural History, to behold this; for the Bitch ever retained an ascendancy, and much of the authority, of a parent: so that her foster-daughter, though so much larger, and so tremendously powerful, would retire obediently to the farther corner of the cage, waiting a favourable change of temper, on the part of her senior, before she renewed her playful familiarities.

On a principle of prudence, however, and because it was judged that if these inmates of the same refectory, ever quarrelled, it would be at a meal-time, they were of late separately fed: that is to say, not at separate times, or tables, but, at opposite corners of the apartment: but the Bitch has often been known to help herself out of _Charlotte’s_ portion, without fear or ceremony, and her majesty to shew no resentment, nor any kind of royal displeasure or hurt feeling, at the indecorum.

We esteem this Engraving to afford a fair example of the positive, or negative, power of the sovereign of the forest, of physiognomically expressing the gentler emotions. But it occurs to us here—and we mention it in reference to an argument maintained in an earlier part of this dissertation—that perhaps licking with the tongue may belong to the dumb language of quadrupedal expression of affection. But the Dog, and the Cat, kind, express themselves in this way; and amongst each other, it cannot be misunderstood—the affectionate idea being impressed at the period of their very earliest susceptibilities, and associated—perhaps as indissolubly as the human endearments of smiles and kissing—with their youngest, purest, and most permanent recollections.

No. XVIII.

In this plate the ideas of expeditious motion, and quest, are admirably depicted:—kept up from stem to stern; he is evidently bent on destruction.—This is he that appeared to the terrified imagination of COLLINS’S Oriental camel-driver, who, in his beautiful Eclogue, exclaims—

“What, if the LION _in his rage_ I meet!”

And the determined purpose which pervades the whole frame and the mind of the sallying hero, is seen in his resolute look, as well as in every motion of his muscular limbs—aye, to the very tuft at the extremity of his tail. All is expressive of his plenitude of animation, and prey is obviously his purpose. None can mistake him.

This will probably be thought another of the instances in which the present artists have been eminently successful in the execution of their subject. (For the design they were indebted to the etching-needle of RIDINGER.) The shag of the mane is characteristically varied from the short hair which covers the face, body, and limbs; the anatomy is ably indicated; and the chiaroscuro is vigorous.

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_E. Spilsbury del^t._ _T. Landseer sculp^t._

LION after REYDINGER.]

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The hunters say that a dozen or fifteen dogs, trained to the sport, will overpower a Lion before he can strike many blows: but these are the limbs which “at every blow destroy an enemy.”

We have next to treat of the ROYAL TIGER OF BENGAL, beautiful, powerful, fierce, and unrelenting.—Terrible, yet admirable!

Mr. BEWICK says that the Tiger “is the most rapacious and destructive of all carnivorous animals. Fierce without provocation, and cruel without necessity, its thirst for blood is insatiable. Though glutted with slaughter, it continues its carnage; it fears neither the sight nor the opposition of man, whom it frequently makes its prey; and it is even said to prefer human flesh to that of any other animal:” a fact which is confirmed by COLONEL WILLIAMSON, and Mr. PAUL of Daudpore, the latter of whom has the reputation of having killed as many Tigers as any hundred other men in India.

The strength of this animal is so great, that when it has killed a Deer, it carries it off with much ease. WOOD relates a story, on good authority, of a Buffalo being carried off by one; but it had previously refreshed itself by sucking the Buffalo’s blood. The latter had been hampered, and was weakened by its struggles in a quagmire; and the Tiger let fall its prey, and fled at the approach of some Indian peasants. We must suppose, too, this Tiger to have been one of the largest, and of extraordinary power, for COLONEL WILLIAMSON reports that in the public combats that are sometimes exhibited in India, between Tigers and Buffaloes, the latter is commonly the victor.

But the eagerness of its voracity is believed to transcend that of any other creature whatever. If undisturbed at the commencement of its meal, it plunges its head into the body of its reeking victim, up to the very eyes, in order to glut itself with the bloody enjoyment. Oysters are not opened and swallowed with more zest and avidity.

No. XIX.

The commencement of such A CARNIVOROUS FEAST, where the TIGER has seized and slain—not a wild Buffalo, but a BULLOCK, from the tame herds of Hindostan. As the cattle descend toward the river to drink, their crafty enemy lies in ambush among the jungle, or creeps along cautiously and unseen; and, watching a favourable opportunity, makes his murderous spring.

Although WILLIAMSON corroborates MR. BEWICK’S account of the Tiger’s fondness of human flesh, he does not agree to that of its fearlessness. On the contrary, he thinks that on occasions where Tigers have seemed fearless, momentary anguish or resentment, has been their real stimulus; and adds, that “the Tiger is, of all beasts of prey, the most cowardly; its treacherous disposition induces it, almost without exception, to conceal itself until its prey may arrive within reach of its spring, be its victim either bulky or diminutive. Size seems to occasion no deviation in the Tiger’s system of attack, which is founded on the art of surprising. We find, accordingly, that such as happen to keep the opposite side of a road, by which they are somewhat beyond the first spring, often escape injury; the Tiger being unwilling to be seen before he is felt. Hence it is rarely that a Tiger pursues; but, if the situation permit, his cunning will not fail to effect his purpose, he will steal along the road-side among the bushes parallel with the traveller’s course, until one of the many chances which present themselves of finding him within reach, induces to the attack. Often, where the country is rather too open to allow his proceeding in this manner, the Tiger will take a sweep among underwood or through ravines, in order to meet the traveller again at a spot whence he may make his spring.

“Tigers are extremely partial to such sites as command a road, selecting one rather less frequented, in preference to one that is much in use. In the former, they are certain of finding as much as will answer their daily wants. If, however, the haunt be on a public road, it is usually at some spot abounding with grass or bushes, especially the _prauss_, and in the vicinity of some ample cover supplied with water, to which the prey can be dragged. There, in some low, opake spot, the sanguinary meal is consummated in gloomy silence.

“It should be observed, that for the most part the Tiger chooses his station on that side of the road which is opposite to his haunt; so that, when he seizes his prey, he proceeds straight forward, without having occasion to turn, and thus drags it across mostly at a trot. If he misses his aim, he will rarely return, unless attacked; but, in a sullen manner, either skulks through the cover; or, if the country be not sufficiently close to conceal his motions, he moves on at a canter.”

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_E. Landseer del^t._ _T. Landseer sculp^t._

TIGER & INDIAN BULLOCK after NATURE.]

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SENEGAL LION after REYDINGER.

BLACK-MANED LION after REMBRANDT.

LIONESS after REYDINGER.

_E. Spilsbury del^t._ _T. Landseer sculp^t._]

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Finding the same anecdotes of Lions and Tigers repeated from book to book, the present writer has in general avoided to reiterate what he conceived would in most instances prove to have been already read: but he cannot wholly pass that in which a lady—next to the Royal Tiger himself—was the principal figure; more especially as it illustrates a fact of natural history not useless for Oriental travellers to be acquainted with—namely, the susceptibility of the Tiger of sudden alarm.

Some ladies and gentlemen being on a party of pleasure, under a shade of trees on the banks of a river in Bengal, were suddenly surprised at seeing a Tiger ready to make its fatal spring. One of the ladies, with amazing presence of mind, laid hold of an umbrella, and unfurling it directly in the animal’s face, it instantly retired.

The following also confirms WILLIAMSON’S account of the Tigers which are brought up tame by some of the mendicant Indian priests who inhabit the banks of the Ganges.

A beautiful young male Tiger was brought from China, some twenty years ago in the Pitt East Indiaman: at the age of ten months it was so far domesticated, as to admit every kind of familiarity from the people on board. It seemed to be quite harmless, and was as playful as a kitten. It frequently slept with the sailors in their hammocks, and would suffer two or three of them to repose their heads upon its back, as upon a pillow, whilst it lay stretched out upon the deck. In return for this, it would, however, now and then steal their meat. Having one day taken a piece of beef from the carpenter, he followed the animal, took the meat out of its mouth, and beat it severely for the theft; which punishment it suffered with all the patience of a dog. It would frequently run out on the bowsprit; climb about the ship like a cat; and perform a number of tricks with an agility that was truly astonishing. There was a Dog on board the ship, with which it would often play in the most diverting manner. But it ought to be remembered at the time this Tiger was taken on board the ship, it was only a month or six weeks old; and when arrived in this country, it had not quite completed a year.

No. XX.

THREE small LIONS, on a single Plate; forming a sort of tail-piece, and bringing up the rear of our carnivorous procession.

This plate exhibits three different VARIETIES. THE LION OF SENEGAL, nearly in profile, reclined, but under the influence of some slight degree of irritation; the black-maned LION of AFRICA; and the common LIONESS of ASIA, regaling herself on a dead bird.

The upper and lower subjects, are after RIDINGER. The African Lion, in the middle, is originally from REMBRANDT, but has passed through the medium of an indifferent Etching by PICART; and, like the rest, has finally been corrected by a reference to Nature.—We believe it was corrected from the specimen that was some few years ago presented to LADY CASTLEREAGH; which was exhibited at Exeter ’Change, and of which MR. EDWIN LANDSEER and MR. THOMAS CHRISTMAS had the _post-obit_ reversion.

G. NORMAN, PRINTER, MAIDEN LANE, COVENT GARDEN.

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SUPPLEMENTARY PLATES.

PLATE XXI.
NEPTUNE, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

A beautiful and highly characteristic engraving of a favourite Newfoundland Dog. It is engraved by Mr. Thomas Landseer from a drawing by his brother Edwin, and highly admired as a faithful likeness of the original.

PLATE XXII.
BRUTUS, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

The property of Edwin Landseer, Esq. Good judges may at once perceive in this portrait the points that constitute a thorough good one of the breed. Rough, wiry and strong, with eyes almost concealed, Brutus is yet active, vigilant and courageous, possessing in great perfection the qualities most desirable in the terrier.

PLATE XXIII.
A CROSS OF THE DOG AND FOX, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY T.
LANDSEER.

The subject of this fine engraving had occasioned much doubt in the minds of naturalists, but the question as to its reality was decided, by the fact of the animal whose portrait we give, having been produced from a tan terrier bitch and a tame dog fox.

PLATE XXIV.
DOGS SETTING A HARE, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

Two dogs having caught the side wind of a hare are making a highly characteristic point. Nothing can more forcibly express that mute animation which gives so highly-toned a finish to the abilities of the setting dog as this vigorous and faithful delineation of their countenances. The Pointer is placed in a very interesting attitude admirably contrasted with the well chosen position of the setter his companion; while the hare, the object of their attraction, is not only judiciously placed, but the representation is strikingly true to nature. This representation of dogs setting a hare displays not only a correct knowledge of the subject but is one of those faithful delineations that cannot fail to merit the most unqualified approbation.

PLATE XXV.
VIXEN, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

A thorough-bred Scottish terrier, a favourite portrait by Mr. Edwin Landseer who has repeated her in several of his pictures.

PLATE XXVI.
FOX HOUNDS OF THE HATFIELD HUNT, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY T.
LANDSEER.

This sketch contains portraits of five of the principal fox hounds belonging to the above Hunt.

PLATE XXVII.
PROCTOR, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

Study of a head of a Blood-hound. This engraving is of a very celebrated dog, and the character of its peculiar species is well delineated.

PLATE XXVIII.
BOB, A FAVOURITE TERRIER, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY T.
LANDSEER.

This engraving represents a fine wire-haired specimen of his race, engaged in his favourite pursuit in his native wilds.

PLATE XXIX.
THE POACHER, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

Is not one of those who

“Take delight of a shiny night,
In the season of the year,”

to pop pheasants from their perches with an air gun, or who sets “springes to catch woodcocks,” but it is he who

“Skulks along
Sleek at the shepherd’s cost, and plump with meals
Purloined;”

“The wily Fox,” and a very beautiful animal Mr. Landseer has made of him. The description we have quoted, finds in the picture an apt illustration.

PLATE XXX.
ALPINE MASTIFF, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

The drawing from which the present plate was engraved, was made from a very noble Alpine mastiff, which at that time although not full grown, was the largest dog in England.

PLATE XXXI.
OLD DOG, LOOKS LIKE A PICTURE, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY J.
WEBB.

An expressive picture, which betokens the subject, old in honour and years, and still following his favourite pursuit.

PLATE XXXII.
FIGHT BETWEEN JACKO AND PUSS, SKETCHED AND ETCHED BY T. LANDSEER.

The animals here so cleverly represented, and at the spot of their actual and sanguinary contest, were etched by T. Landseer, from a sketch made at the time by himself.

PLATE XXXIII.
LITTLE BILLY, DRAWN AND ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

The spirited and faithful style in which Mr. Landseer has executed this embellishment, presents us a portrait of a species of animal which was a great favourite with our ancestors, and was as ferocious to an enemy as faithful to a friend.

PLATE XXXIV.
BLACK CAP, PAINTED BY G. H. LAPORTE, ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

Is a clever specimen of a perfect Harrier’s head, ably treated.

PLATE XXXV.
DEAD RED DEER, PAINTED BY E. LANDSEER, ENGRAVED BY J. R. SCOTT.

Gives us the spoils of the chase lifeless and rigid; the accessories to the picture are well told.

PLATE XXXVI.
TIGER HUNT, PAINTED AND ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

Tigers are hunted in India by Elephants assisted by fleet horses. We have in this clever picture a Tiger couching amongst the jungle seemingly undetermined whether to spring or to make off, the horse scared and frightened evidently has come upon him unexpectedly; an Elephant at a little distance is hastening towards the spot.

PLATE XXXVII.
TIGER TAKING THE WATER, PAINTED BY SIR CHARLES D’OYLY, ENGRAVED BY T.
LANDSEER.

The Tiger having been driven from the jungle and hunted over the plain, as a last resort takes to the water. He is here represented just after having entered, his powerful paws half above the water preparing to make a stroke, whilst his tail stiff and outstretched serves the purpose of a rudder. The hunters on their elephants from the bank of the river are taking a deliberate aim at him.

PLATE XXXVIII.
ELEPHANTS RETURNING FROM THE HUNT, PAINTED BY SIR CHARLES D’OYLY,
ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

The Hunter seemingly tired of hunting on horseback has dismounted, and is climbing up the side of an elephant who kneels, whilst the fruit of the chase is upon the back of another, and a third is making his way through the jungle.

PLATE XXXIX.
RED DEER, PAINTED BY R. HILLS, ENGRAVED BY T. LANDSEER.

A very clever work of Art upon which the great and universally acknowledged taste and talents of Mr. Thomas Landseer have been carefully bestowed. Both Painter and Engraver have done justice to the subject; few things can be finer than the stag in the foreground, or more effective than the brace of Does approaching upwards, as it were, from a romantic and obscure retirement.

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_Engraved by T. Landseer from a Drawing by his Brother Edwin._

_Neptune, the property of W. E. Gosling Esq^r._]

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_Painted by E. Landseer & Engraved by T. Landseer._

BRUTUS.]

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_Engraved by T. Landseer from a Sketch by his brother Edwin._

_Portrait of a Cross of the Dog and Fox, in the possession of Lord
Cranley._]

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_Engraved by T. Landseer from a Drawing by his Brother Edwin._

_Dogs Setting a Hare._]

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_Eng^d. by T. Landseer from a Painting by his Brother._

_Vixen, a Thorough bred Scotch Terrier._]

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_Elliner_ _Lettager_ _Strider_ _Rachell_ _Adamant_

_Fox Hounds, of the Hatfield Hunt._ _Engraved by Tho^s. Landseer from a Painting by his Brother Edwin._]

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_Eng^d. by T. Landseer from a Painting by his Brother Edwin._

PROCTER. _Study of a Blood hounds Head._]

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_Engraved by T. Landseer from a Painting by his Brother Edwin._

_Bob, a favourite Terrier the property of W. E. Gosling Esq^r._]

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_Eng^d. by T. Landseer from a Drawing by his Brother Edwin._

_The Poacher._]

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_Eng^d. by T. Landseer from a Drawing by his Brother._

_Alpine Mastiff._]

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Painted by E. Landseer R. A. Engraved by J. Webb.

THE OLD DOG LOOKS LIKE A PICTURE.]

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_Etch’d by T. Landseer, from a sketch made at the time by himself._

_Fight between “Jacko Maccacco,” a celebrated Monkey, and M^r. Tho^s.
Cribb’s well known bitch “Puss.”_]

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_Drawn and Engraved by Thomas Landseer._

LITTLE BILLY, A Celebrated Bull Dog.]

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_Eng^d. by T. Landseer, from a Painting by G. H. Laporte._

BLACK CAP.]

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DEAD RED DEER.]

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TIGER HUNT]

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TIGER TAKING THE WATER]

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ELEPHANTS RETURNING FROM THE HUNT.]

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_Engraved by M^r. T. Landseer, from a Painting by M^r. R. Hills._

RED DEER.]