[Illustration: GARDENS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, REGENT'S PARK.]
We are again in the _Regents Park_; but we must leave its architectural
splendour for the present, and request our readers to accompany us
towards the eastern verge of the Park, to the Gardens of the Zoological
Society, established in 1826, and whose members now amount to _eleven
hundred_! The grounds are daily filled with fashionable company,
notwithstanding the great migrations which usually take place at this
season of the year, and almost depopulate the western hemisphere of
fashion. The gardens, independent of their zoological attractions, are a
delightful promenade, being laid out with great taste, and the parterres
boasting a beautiful display of flowers. The animals, too, are seen to
much greater advantage than when shut up in a menagerie, and have the
luxury of fresh air, instead of unwholesome respiration in a room or
caravan.[2]
[2] It should, however, be noticed, that the object of the
_Zoological Society_ is not the mere exhibition of animals. In
the original prospectus it is observed, that "Animals brought
from every part of the globe to be applied to some _useful_
purpose as objects of scientific research, not of vulgar
admiration; and upon such an institution, a philosophy of
zoology founded, pointing out the comparative anatomy, the
habits of life, the improvement and the methods of multiplying
those races of animals which are most useful to man, and thus
fixing a most beautiful and important branch of knowledge on the
permanent basis of direct utility." The Secretary of the Society
is N.A. Vigors, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., &c. who, from his extensive
attainments in the science of zoology, fills the office with
honor to himself, and peculiar advantage to the public.
At page 413 of our last volume, the reader will find an abstract of the
second anniversary of the Society, since which the Gardens in the
Regent's Park have been opened for public inspection. We have
accordingly availed ourselves of this privilege, and our draughtsman has
been at some pains in the annexed sketch, together with the vignette
_portraits_ accompanying it. The "_Bird's-Eye View_" will be better
explained by reference to the figures; thus,
1. Entrance Gate and Pay Hut.
2. Ditto Check Hut.
3. House and Ground for _Emus_:
Two awkward land birds, resembling ostriches. Their incapability of
flying is compensated by the exceeding speed with which they run. They
are natives of New Holland.
4. Central Walk.
5. Sloping Shrubbery of Defence.
6. Fields for Horses and Cattle.
7. Building for _Bears,_,
[Illustration]
communicating with their pit, in the centre of which is a pole with
steps for the animals to ascend and descend. At the extremity of the
upper walk, the pit is surrounded with a dwarf wall and coping, to which
(since our sketch was taken) have been added iron rails. There are here
two Arctic bears, and a small black bear, the latter brought from
Russia,[3] and presented to the Society, by the Marquess of Hertford.
There is usually a crowd of visiters about this spot, and the sagacity
and antics of our four-footed friends ensure them liberal supplies of
cakes and fruit, handed to them on a pole. We were much interested with
their tricks, especially with the vexation betrayed by one of them, at
the top of the pole, when he saw his companion below seize a cake which
the former had previously eyed with great _gout_. His wringing and
biting his paws reminded us of many scenes out of a bear-pit. Then the
snorting and snarling of the old bear below, when the young one
attempted to obtain a cake thrown to him; and above all, the small share
which our black friend _Toby_ enjoyed, probably from his docility
over-much,--like good-natured men who are mastered by those of rough
natures. We could have staid here a whole hour, watching their antics,
and likening them to the little trickery of human nature.
[3] He was previously at Sudborne, the seat of the Marquess of
Hertford, where Toby, as our Russian friend was christened,
became equally sagacious with bipeds, in distinguishing strong
ale from small beer. To the former beverage, Toby became freely
attached; but when we saw him at the Gardens in the Regent's
Park, he appeared too docile for his companions.