uo PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

THE LIONS^JTHE LIONS!
The magnificent lions, forming part of the establishment of Messrs.
Van Amburgh and Carter, yesterday promenaded through the principal
■streets of the metropolis ; which they were permitted to do, partly in


eyes at the butcher's-meat; but so well disciplined were they that th-ey
did not even ask for any. After this, they proceeded to Smithfield,
where, it being market-day, the show of cattle interested them to a
great degree. After gazing upon the scene for some time in silence,
they began to lick their lips and to express their feelings in a subdued
but general growl, indications not to be mistaken. It was to be ap-
prehended that they were at last thinking of helping themselves ; on
which account Messrs. Carter and Van Amburgh very prudently with-
drew them from further temptation, and quietly took them home.
N.B. It should be mentioned that the lions, in going eastward along
the Strand, turned aside, down Wellington-street, to inspect Pun ;h's
Office ; where they roared at the jokes in a manner that was perfectly
tremendous.


^unc&'s police,
Dramatic Monomania.—This day, Mile. Plessy (the distinguished
French actress) appeared at Bow-street, to prefer a charge against a
celebrated translating dramatist, (his name we for the present sup-
press). Mile. Plessy stated that she went in bodily fear of the said dra-
matist, it being his custom to take everything from the French for the
English stage. He had been seen, day after day, and night after night,
prowling about the stage-door of the St. James's theatre ; he had been
heard to declare that he would, whether or not, turn her into English ;
and it was her belief that (unless protected by the Magistrate) she would
some night find herself translated to Covent-garden Theatre, acting a
very bad version, in very questionable language, either of Mademoiselle
Beileisle, or Le Portrait Fivant, or perhaps both. Mademoiselle trusted
that the Bench would protect her from the violence of the accused.
The magistrate asked if there was anv evidence of the condition
of the prisoner's mind.
Hereupon, Mr. Bunn stepped forward He had known the pri-
soner many years : all that time he had certainly laboured under the
influence of monomania. He had always looked upon everything pro-

order to convince the public, by au irrefragable proof of their docility,
that one might go to the Lyceum Theatre without any fear of being eaten ;
partly to allow the animals an opportunity of seeing their royal relatives—
the various Lions of London.
The noble animals were first conducted to Westminster Abbey. As
they passed by Northumberland-house, they came to a halt, and for some
time wistfully regarded the lion on the top of it, which they evidently mis-
took at first for a live lion, but he not wagging his tail, although they
waited at least two minutes looking at him, they presently resumed their
journey. In doing this, they were observed to wink at each other and
shake their manes, as much as to say, " No go ! "
Their tawny majesties, on arriving at the Abbey, were conducted over,
that venerable edifice by the Dean and Chapter in person. They mani- ! duced on the French stage as his peculiar property. He had heard
f'ested that decorum and gravity which the sanctity of the place demanded ; : the prisoner, in the vain-gloriousness of his malady, liken himself to
and it was noticed that, while looking round Poets'-corner, where stand Lord Nelson—inasmuch as the French could not put forth a single
the memorials of the chief lions of England, the sympathetic and magna-
nimous creatures were much affected. On Messrs. Van Amburgh and
Carter pulling out their purses at the conclusion of the show to pay the
exhibitors, the lions testified their disgust in an audible growl.
They were then escorted to St. Paul's Cathedral. In passing under
Temple-bar, they significantly snuffed the air, and cast some very intelligent
glances at the top of that structure, in evident allusion to the heads that
used to be placed there.
Their behaviour at St. Paul's was not quite so reverent as it was at the
Abbey ; it was plain that they did not take it for a church. The bas-
reliefs representing charges of soldiers, the statues of military and naval
heroes, and the trophies of war suspended from the dome, made them roar
not a little. The sculptured semblance of one of themselves at the base
< of Nelson's monument, for a moment arrested their attention, but they
seemed to turn up their noses at it.
On leaving St. Paul's, they were taken alone; Cheapside to the Mansion-
house, where the Lord Mayor and several of the Aldermen were sitting.
The corpulence of the civic dignitaries was contemplated by them with
much admiration, and it was observed that their mouths watered con-
siderably, but they behaved very well.
They were shown the Monument and the Thames Tunnel ; at which
sights they opened their eyes remarkably.
Retracing their steps, they were now led back towards Newgate,
STer which they were taken by the governor, Mr. Cope. They ex-
pressed their high satisfaction at the whole arrangements, by placidly
wagging their tails ; and when they were ushered into the condemned
cells, they exchanged some knowing looks, which were translated by the
-bystanders into, "Shouldn't we like to live here !"
They then went through Newgate-market, where they cast very wistful

thing but he immediately took it. In other respects, the prisoner was
quite sane ; and even wholly capable of looking after his own affairs.
His powers of arithmetic were unimpeachable.
The prisoner (a man of very gentlemanlike exterior) assured the
Bench that he had no felonious intention tow;irds Mile. Plessy. He
had, to be sure, often been to the theatre, but with no eye to any
piece produced there; the said pieces beiug'always supplied to him
in England, wet from the French press.
Mons. Delaporte (foreign bookseller, of the Arcade, corroborated
this part of the prisoner's statement : he had supplied him with such
works (all wet) for many years.
The worthy magistrate said he could not bring himself to let the
prisoner free "for some days. It was, to his mind, evident that he had
an intention upon Mile. Plessy, and he (the magistrate) should lock
the prisoner up until that lady's departure for France.
Mile. Plessy (with a curtsey worth at least fifty pounds sterling
thanked the magistrate, and left the office.
Subsequently, Mr. Bunn became surety for the prisoner, pledging
himself to keep him within the walls of Covent-garden Theatre until
Mile. Plessy quitted England.

seasonable gifts.
An anonymous philanthropist this morning left a copy (bouni in
calf) of Cobbett's English Grammar at the lodgings of the opera
critic of the Morning Post. Messrs. Sevvell and Cross also sent
the same distinguished man a very handsome calico tie. He will
appear in it this evening in the front row of the gallery.