THE SECRETARYSHIP OF THE ZOO
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] S1R,—I should. like to take this opportunity of supporting Miss Kidd's statement as to the good work done by the retiring Secretary of the Zoo. Although Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell by assuming the Secretaryship apparently admitted that he saw nothing wrong in the enforced captivity of wild creatures--on which point I fundamentally disagree—it is only right that the public, should remember his indictment of public performances by animals.
For many years this League has used with great effect portions of the evidence which he gave before the Select Committee on Performing Animals set up by the House of Commons. Indeed, with such evidence before them it is a terrific indictment of Parliament that such horrors are allowed to continue, and should this letter catch the eye of any member I should like to remind him of his words : " There is the gravest possible risk that there has been cruelty, not only in training the animal, but continuous cruelty in keeping up to the mark for these—what may be called time performances."
I do not know where Professor Huxley stands on this matter but it seems to me that before assuming so important a position he ought to be invited to state exactly where he stands on what are wrongly called, controversial matters.
This I have much pleasure in doing and await his reply with keen interest. —I am, Sir, &c., EDMUND T. MACMICHAEL, Hon. Director.
Performing and Captive Animals' Defence League,
17 Buckingham Street, Adelphi, 2.
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