No. XII.

The amiable-looking Tiger of whom we have spoken, lay something in the attitude and manner of the principalPanther, in the present picturesque group whichMr. Spilsburycopied from the Sketch-book of that admirable painter and anatomist of animals,Stubbs.

Perhaps this sentiment of ours, may be ascribed—in part at least—to the undulations of form, glossiness of surface, and brilliancy of colours, of these interesting creatures, reviving the early mental impressions which we remember to have received at the sight of shining and speckled shells, butterflies’ wings, and other objects of pure beauty; and in part to our having associated ideas of innocence and domesticated habits and comfort, with the “sympathetic mirth” (asGoldsmith’sphrase is) of sportive kittens.

It may not be unworthy of our best philosophy to pause here, and observe how Nature contrives to mingle, and seems to insist on mingling, sentiments and mental impressions, which analysing man is so fond of reducing to first elements—as he calls them. Surely there is, about these Carnivorous and terrible creatures, a saving grace—a beauty in their dreadfulness, which is exceedingly interesting, although it co-exist with cruelty: for if they are cruel, their cruelty is involuntary, and not implacable; and therefore, if not pardonable, not hateful—while the external beauty which they possess, is of a positive nature.

Reverting here to our own scholastic distinction, we think that Nature has, in the instance of this species of quadrupeds, mingled with similar success, energy of character, with a degree of mildness of expression. The natural character of the Panther is fearfully ferocious, yet a superinduced kindly expression may be seen in this group from the pencil ofStubbs—a sworn disciple of Nature—which may shew that in their home retiredness, they have not been left destitute of the means of letting each other see that they are sociable, friendly, and not entirely without the means of expressing the gentler emotions. Men are perhaps too exclusively disposed to look at the objects around them, as those objects immediately concern themselves:Mr. Stubbs, in composing this capital group, took a more extensive and genuine view of things; and notwithstanding the Panther is larger and more formidable than the Leopard (from which quadruped he is not always easily distinguishable), has depicted them as scarcely less mild and gentle than the domestic Cat.

The evidence of facts, however, when set in apposition, affords, in all probability, the most efficacious and convincing means of manifesting such principles as we are here submitting, while they exhibit thevarietiesof animal expression to the best advantage; and we therefore introduce anotherGROUPofPanthers, from the same Sketch-book, byStubbs, more malignant in their aspects.

12E. Spilsbury delt.T. Landseer sculpt.PanthersafterStubbs.

13E. Spilsbury delt.T. Landseer sculpt.PanthersafterStubbs.

No. XIII.

This is what one might call a domestic, or family, group; but they seem here to be meditating prey, and by no means so good-humoured as in the former instance, where they might be fancied to be quietly enjoying themselves after a sufficient repast. The two groups, when viewed together, seem very much to assist our perceptions of the capability of this animal of gentle, as well as of savage, expression.—They are contrasted, indeed, though without the direct opposition of violent brutal action, to calm repose: the eye being the chief seat of the difference. But neither the gentle, nor the more ferocious and malignant-looking, Panthers, or Tigers, will bear any comparison for commanding majesty of appearance with the regal Lion, whether in a calm or an excited state—as the vignette of our title-page is ready to bear witness.

There is good chiaroscuro in both of the above groups; and the scene of rocky wildness in which the latter are placed, as well as the rich colouring of the fur of the animals, are ably indicated.

The reader may perhaps not be displeased to attend here for a moment, to a short epitome of what the Naturalists have said concerning the distinctive marks of this interesting quadruped, the Panther: nor to be informed or reminded of the strong resemblance which he bears to the Leopard.

Dr. Shawobserves thatLinnæushimself has confounded the Panther with the Leopard; but adds, that “a true distinctive mark between them, is by no means easy to communicate either by description or even by figure.” He thinks that the Leopard is the smaller of the two species of animals, and its colour a paler yellow: andMr. Griffith, in his “Carnivora,” says, “A very fine animal is now exhibiting at Exeter ’Change under the name of Leopard, which is much larger as well as brighter than any other Leopard in that Menagerie, and should, therefore, according toShaw, seem to be the Panther. But I am informed that the animal in question was taken in India, and that all those which come from Asia, are much brighter in colour than those from Africa, which is confirmed by inspection of the African specimens there; and that the females have more white about them than the other sex: andMr. Cross, who has had opportunities of inspecting probably some hundreds of specimens, insists that he has never observed any specific difference between those brought from Asia and Africa, among themselves, except that the Asiatic are generally larger and brighter.”

Lichtenstein, in a note communicated toMajor Smith, describes the Panther as resembling the Jaguar, in having the same number of rows of spots, but different in having no full spots, on the dorsal line. If this be correct, then is the existence of the Panther established as being distinct from the Leopard: but I do not find that full spots on the dorsal line always make a specific difference of the Jaguar. When, therefore, it is said, that the Panther muchresembles the Jaguar, it is always strongly to be suspected that the type whence the observations are taken is an American animal. If the contrary be clearly established, and the animal be found to have large round or oval open marks of black, with a central spot on the sides and back, and a tail longer than from its insertion to the ground, it may be concluded that it is the real Panther.

Lastly, that indefatigable investigator,Cuvier, says he was long in doubt whether the Panther and Leopard were distinct: but a comparison of a great number of skins, as well as observations on the numerous animals sent to the French Museum, have satisfied him that they are different; and he accordingly describes the Panther as having six or seven rows of rose-like spots in transverse lines, the tail longer and the head larger than the Jaguar, and the ground-colour of the fur paler. The Leopard he describes as a little less than the Panther, though with the same proportions; but the spots, as much more numerous, forming ten transverse lines.

The opinion ofCuvieris certainly deserving of the greatest attention; but it may be observed that his enumeration of the six or seven rows of spots in the Panther, and of ten in the Leopard, is not so certainly intelligible as might be desired, when it is considered that the spots or marks in question have really little or no parallelism. Notwithstanding, therefore, this respectable authority, it seems very probable that the Panther and Leopard are one and the same species, which branches into two varieties, the Asiatic and the African; the former of which is brighter in colour, and probably something larger than the latter; and that the females of both are paler and less than the other sex.Cicero, in his letters toAtticus, speaks of the Panther of Africa, and the Asiatic Panther; as if they were different.

The ancient naturalists were not a whit more successful in distinguishing these two quadrupeds, than the moderns, notwithstanding the opportunities which they possessed of inspecting so many.Mr. Griffithcomments onShaw,Lichtenstein, andCuvier; so didCiceroandPliny, onAristotle. Hence theirPanthera,Pardus, and theLeopardusof the later ages of Rome (the last of which plainly indicates their supposition that a Lion or Lioness had been concerned in the generation of this spotted animal.)

It is surprising to reflect on the great number of Panthers, which in those later ages of Rome, were brought from the deserts of Africa for their public shows.Scaurusexhibited an hundred and fifty of them at one time;Pompey, four hundred and ten; andAugustus, four hundred and twenty! They probably thinned the province of Mauritania almost to extirpation; which may account for the superior abundance of these quadrupeds, as well as of Lions, at present, in Guinea, and the more southern parts of Africa.

It would appear, that after all that has been accomplished by the spot and row-counting philosophers, the distinction between Panthers and Leopards is by no means made out; and we take it, that whenever Nature means to mark a distinction of this sort, she always does it with a firmer hand, and more decisive line.

14E. Spilsbury delt.T. Landseer sculpt.Leopard&PantherafterStubbs.

No. XIV.

Stubbs, who had most likely paid sufficient attention to what the naturalists had previously said on the subject—and whom no naturalist has exceeded in accuracy of observation—appears to have here sketched out the differences, and the resemblances, between these two animals—if two they may be termed. It will be observed that the one which we esteem to be theLeopard—the nearer figure of the two—is somewhat smaller than the other, and that the dark spots on her body are not clustered in roselets, or oilettes, as they have sometimes been called; while on the body of thePanther, they are, and indeed everywhere, excepting on his head and fore-legs. In short,Stubbs’sdelineation agrees best with the definition ofCuvier, whose discernment and philosophical tact are by no means inferior to that indefatigability for which he is praised byGriffith.

Of this Leopard and Panther, the actions and expression (although not the character—their noses and mouths being of longer and larger proportions) are very much those of the common domestic Cat, when in a playful mood. Something there is of burlesque clumsiness in their play—resemblingHerculeswith the distaff; and something of that assumed look which may be observed among Cats while frolicking with their young. And these kindly and droll expressions of countenance—these “quips and cranks, and wanton wiles,”—are doubtless very well understood among the carnivorous comedians, notwithstanding that to some of ourselves, they may not appear to amount to much: yet the difference of these our engraved heads of a playful Leopard and Panther, and the ocular expressions of such animals when raging with hunger, or rendered angry by opposition, is immense, and could not fail, if presented together, to be strikingly obvious to those who are in the least studious of the physiognomical variations of the ferocious tribe. Let the reader compare them with the threateningLionand defyingTigeramong the rocks, after the same master, which we have numbered 19.

Horse-play is proverbially unwelcome: Panther-play must be worse. We cannot associate the idea of the endurance of it within reach of man. But where Cats and Kittens are occasionally permitted in the parlour, there is comparative harmlessness. And who has not witnessed with delight, among the rat-catching carnivora in their joyous moments, those spontaneous and electrical kindlings of various and rapid fun, which must have madeHeraclituslaugh, could he have seen them, and have been a lesson toLavater.

No. XV.

ALionandLioness, afterRubens, where we esteem the execution—more especially of the parts which are brought into muscular action, and the rich hairy texture of the fur—to be highly creditable to the artists concerned. In these respects, it transcends beyond all comparison the Etching byPicartof the same subject. We were about to say more of these things, and to request attention more particularly to the hinder parts of the female, but the knit brow and threatening eye of the Lion glares upon us with its high claims, and terrible truth, and we cannot but perceive a broad, pervading, and dextrous display of light, shade, and expression of texture.—Now, where there is just harmony of parts, it is thewholewhich merits praise; and this praise is of a higher kind than could possibly be bestowed with propriety on any part.

The Expression of the Lion is not here so self-possessed and majestic as in some of the examples which we have passed. His magnanimity is exchanged for that dark treachery and cruel-mindedness, which some modern authors ascribe to him. Nor is the Lioness more amiable: both seem lurking, malicious, and as if animated by some horrid hope.

Rubensseems to have let them into his Assyrian den, in order to let the world see from how dreadful animals Providence was protecting its favoured minister.

Rubenshas 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 firstRichard; 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—humannature.

15E. Spilsbury delt.T. Landseer sculpt.LionsafterRubens.

16E. Spilsbury delt.T. Landseer sculpt.LionsafterRubens.

17Edwin Landseer delint.T. Landseer sculpt.Lioness&BitchfromCross’s Menagerie.

No. XVII.

Repeated instances ofFriendships 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 Landseermade 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 christenedCharlotte.—Charlottesoon 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 theLionessandBitch, 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 retireobediently 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 ofCharlotte’sportion, 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.

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 ofCollins’sOriental camel-driver, who, in his beautiful Eclogue, exclaims—

“What, if theLionin his rageI 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 ofRidinger.) 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.

18E. Spilsbury delt.T. Landseer sculpt.LionafterReydinger.

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 theRoyal Tiger of Bengal, beautiful, powerful, fierce, and unrelenting.—Terrible, yet admirable!

Mr.Bewicksays 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 byColonel Williamson, and Mr.Paulof 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.Woodrelates 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, forColonel Williamsonreports 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 sucha Carnivorous Feast, where theTigerhas seized and slain—not a wild Buffalo, but aBullock, 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.

AlthoughWilliamsoncorroboratesMr. Bewick’saccount 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 theprauss, 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.”

19E. Landseer delt.T. Landseer sculpt.Tiger&Indian BullockafterNature.

20E. Spilsbury delt.T. Landseer sculpt.Senegal LionafterReydinger.Black-maned LionafterRembrandt.LionessafterReydinger.

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 confirmsWilliamson’saccount 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.

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

This plate exhibits three differentVARIETIES.The Lion of Senegal, nearly in profile, reclined, but under the influence of some slight degree of irritation; the black-manedLionofAfrica; and the commonLionessofAsia, regaling herself on a dead bird.

The upper and lower subjects, are afterRidinger. The African Lion, in the middle, is originally fromRembrandt, but has passed through the medium of an indifferent Etching byPicart; 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 toLady Castlereagh; which was exhibited at Exeter ’Change, and of whichMr. Edwin LandseerandMr. Thomas Christmashad thepost-obitreversion.

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

Back to Index Next