It is told of the mad King of Bavaria, that he used frequently to
command great theatrical entertainments at which he himself was the
only spectator. A similar experience befell myself when I was visiting
Hamburg. For Mr. Karl Hagenbeck, at my special request, and with
great good nature, gave two full performances in my honor, at which,
like the mad Bavarian monarch, I was the only spectator. In the first
performance only very young animals took part, but as they had been
working since last January year, they were pretty well up to all the
little tricks they had been taught. My readers will imagine a great
circle carefully railed off from the outside world by iron bars. Round
this circle, upon a number of little stands, sat the performing
animals, waiting to take their respective "turns," as they say in the
music halls; in the midst of the circle sat myself, with a beautiful
little baby lion on my knee, which amused itself by playing with my
watch chain and handkerchief. Two little tigers which got tired of
sitting still suddenly jumped down from their perches and ran up to
play with me and the baby lion. A young lion on another perch yawned
so loud that we all, animals and men, looked up to see what was the
matter. Mr. Hagenbeck walked round the circle, stroking the animals,
most of which affectionately kissed him as he passed.