PERFORMING ANIMALS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
crave the courtesy of your paper with regard to another point relating to performing animals. Of many, one of the most serious objections to most circuses is the close confine- ment in which some animals are kept. At Mr. Mills' Circus I saw two bears, each occupying a cage alone, in which they could only move a few paces to and fro. Five lions were in a cage about twelve feet in length, about six feet in breadth. A tiger was in a cage little longer than the animal. In this close confinement the animals live and travel, except when in the horribly unnatural surroundings of the circus ring. In- stead of open spaces, they have a cage and the stuffy atmo- sphere of a menagerie tent. It has been said that these circus animals are in " good condition." So are prisoners, and good bodily condition is no criterion of happiness.
I ask anyone who patronizes circuses to consider if it is kind, or just, to compel animals to live practically the whole of their lives in cages which absolutely preclude them from any real exercise, and deprive them ruthlessly of most of their natural joys of life.
Many would consider that the space provided for them should be measured, not by square feet, but by acres. But, of course, that would not provide profit for their owners.—
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