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Article REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. ← Page 2 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Review Of New Publications.
gerous . All is hollow beneath us ; wherever I strike my foot , the earth returns a quivering sound ; hill and valleys are perpetually admitting some change ; and mountains themselves are but the growth of a night . On one hand , springs are boiling ; on the other , liquid , sulphur is oozing through the parted soil : here are monuments of what earthquakes have scattered ; there ruins of what eruptions have dissolved : the roads are bottomed by masses of lava , and the lakes are enclosed in the craters of volcanoes !'
During his stay at Vienna , Mr . Owen was present at a combat of wild beasts ; a species of exhibition , which is as common in that city , as the bullfights are in some parts of Spain . ' Its singularity may amuse the English reader . This is called the Hetz , or combat of wild beasts . It was exhibited on a spacious amphitheatre , not built , like the ancient Roman amphitheatres , of massy stone , but of a light
construction . A triple row of galleries encircle that area which is allotted to the combats . The opening of the ceremony was announced by the firing of a pistol ; when the master of the beast proceeded to the centre of the area , and cracked , with great , violence , a long whip . This was the signal for the keepers to throw open the mouth of the den , and let out that beast which was to sustain the first combat . The several dens are under the galleries , upcfn a level with the areathe mouths opening directl it . The animal that
, y upon first entered was a bear ; upon whom two furious dogs were shortly let in . These chaced him some time ; till , at length , they fastened upon him , and brought him to the ground ; when the master and his crew , entering , loosened the dogs from their prey , and the bear was remanded to his prison . ' To this succeeded many similar engagements between the dogs and other beasts ; which afforded vast diversion to the spectators , who crowned every
victory with shouts of triumph . The effect of these united acclamations reminded me of the singular structure which the Romans have given these edifices , appropriated to the purposes of public spectacles . The walls in the Circus of Caracalla are thickly sown with urns and hollow earthen vessels , doubtless to give the greatest possible effect to those shouts which mark the spectators' applause . < The scene , which most amused me in this representation , was that in
which the whole tribe of savages were let out together . These were bears of all nations , Hungarian oxen' , buffaloes , wolves , and wild boars , attacking each other in all directions , and engaging in a thousand varied combats There was a most noble lion let out , who exhibited a majestic spectacle . He regarded the spectators with a collected aspect , and , seating himself upon his hind quarters , received all the attacks of dogs and beasts with a frown of defiance , and a roar which shook the theatre . At the close of this
representation , a superb fire-work was played off from a board , which was elevated to a considerable height in the air . To this board a bear clung with his paws , and , ascending with it , continued suspended till the whole of the fire-work was played off . It was very extraordinary to see the beast , in this situation , enveloped in sparks and flames . I was curious to know how this was effected , and was informed that the board was smeared with blood ; and , as these animals are nearly starvedin order to keep them furiousthe scent of the blood
, , fixes the animal . In addition to this , the actor of this great scene is constantly regaled , when he descends , with a piece of flesh prepared for that purpose . The neglect of this accustomed bounty is said to have proved fatal to the former master of these animals . The bear , descending from his frightful elevation , and not receiving , instantaneously , his expected morsel , fastened upon the master , and to . se him mortally , before he could be disengaged .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Review Of New Publications.
gerous . All is hollow beneath us ; wherever I strike my foot , the earth returns a quivering sound ; hill and valleys are perpetually admitting some change ; and mountains themselves are but the growth of a night . On one hand , springs are boiling ; on the other , liquid , sulphur is oozing through the parted soil : here are monuments of what earthquakes have scattered ; there ruins of what eruptions have dissolved : the roads are bottomed by masses of lava , and the lakes are enclosed in the craters of volcanoes !'
During his stay at Vienna , Mr . Owen was present at a combat of wild beasts ; a species of exhibition , which is as common in that city , as the bullfights are in some parts of Spain . ' Its singularity may amuse the English reader . This is called the Hetz , or combat of wild beasts . It was exhibited on a spacious amphitheatre , not built , like the ancient Roman amphitheatres , of massy stone , but of a light
construction . A triple row of galleries encircle that area which is allotted to the combats . The opening of the ceremony was announced by the firing of a pistol ; when the master of the beast proceeded to the centre of the area , and cracked , with great , violence , a long whip . This was the signal for the keepers to throw open the mouth of the den , and let out that beast which was to sustain the first combat . The several dens are under the galleries , upcfn a level with the areathe mouths opening directl it . The animal that
, y upon first entered was a bear ; upon whom two furious dogs were shortly let in . These chaced him some time ; till , at length , they fastened upon him , and brought him to the ground ; when the master and his crew , entering , loosened the dogs from their prey , and the bear was remanded to his prison . ' To this succeeded many similar engagements between the dogs and other beasts ; which afforded vast diversion to the spectators , who crowned every
victory with shouts of triumph . The effect of these united acclamations reminded me of the singular structure which the Romans have given these edifices , appropriated to the purposes of public spectacles . The walls in the Circus of Caracalla are thickly sown with urns and hollow earthen vessels , doubtless to give the greatest possible effect to those shouts which mark the spectators' applause . < The scene , which most amused me in this representation , was that in
which the whole tribe of savages were let out together . These were bears of all nations , Hungarian oxen' , buffaloes , wolves , and wild boars , attacking each other in all directions , and engaging in a thousand varied combats There was a most noble lion let out , who exhibited a majestic spectacle . He regarded the spectators with a collected aspect , and , seating himself upon his hind quarters , received all the attacks of dogs and beasts with a frown of defiance , and a roar which shook the theatre . At the close of this
representation , a superb fire-work was played off from a board , which was elevated to a considerable height in the air . To this board a bear clung with his paws , and , ascending with it , continued suspended till the whole of the fire-work was played off . It was very extraordinary to see the beast , in this situation , enveloped in sparks and flames . I was curious to know how this was effected , and was informed that the board was smeared with blood ; and , as these animals are nearly starvedin order to keep them furiousthe scent of the blood
, , fixes the animal . In addition to this , the actor of this great scene is constantly regaled , when he descends , with a piece of flesh prepared for that purpose . The neglect of this accustomed bounty is said to have proved fatal to the former master of these animals . The bear , descending from his frightful elevation , and not receiving , instantaneously , his expected morsel , fastened upon the master , and to . se him mortally , before he could be disengaged .