'This is to give Notice to all Gentlemen, Ladies, and Others, that are Lovers of Ra-arities, that over against the Muse Gate, near Chairing Cross, is to be seen the same Creature that was shown at Epsom and the Bath all this Summer. This Noble Creature, which much resembles a Wild Hairy Man, was lately taken in a Wood at Bengall in the East Indies, he Dances upon the strait Rope with a Pole in his hands, he cuts Capers upon the Rope, and Dances true to the Musick. Likewise this Creature walks the Steep Rope with a Pole in his hands. He walks upon a small Slack Rope Swinging, at the same time drinks a Glass of Ale, and all this is performed on a Rope no bigger than a penny Cord; and swings on it, to the great Admiration of all Spectators. He pulls off his Hat, and pays his Respects to the Company, and smoaks a Pipe of Tobacco as well as any Christian. This Noble Creature flings a Strapader, and hangs by his Hands and his Feet, and performs such Wonderful Things, that ne'er was done by any Rope Dancer whatever.' This was the rope-dancer spoken of by Addison: 'He is by birth a Monkey; but swings upon a Rope, takes a pipe of Tobacco, and drinks a glass of Ale, like any reasonable Creature.'[351]
Occasionally, but very rarely, the nobler beasts were shown. 'At the Duke of Marlborough's Head in Fleet Street, is to be seen these Rarities following. 1. The noble and majestick Lion, lately brought from Barbary, which for its most surprizing Largeness, and its being so wonderful tame, far exceeds any that ever was seen in the world. 2. A young Lion lately brought over from Algier, so wonderful tame that any Person may handle him as well as his keeper. 3. The noble Panther lately brought from Egypt, one of the beautifullest Creatures in the World for variety of Spots of divers Colours; a Creature much admired by all the Gentlemen, and Ladies that ever saw him. 4. The Noble Pelican or Vulture, lately arrived from America 3 foot high, 9 over. The Head like a Griffin, Neck like a Swan: the like never seen in this kingdom before.'
A rhinoceros could only be seen stuffed, and with its skeleton.
In the latter part of 1711 there was a show of 'the Lest Man and Hors in the World,' which Addison has immortalised in the Spectator (No. 271), saying that the man, his wife, and horse 'are so very light, that when they are put together into a Scale, an ordinary Man may weigh down the whole Family.' These were combined with some wild animals, which evidently would not pay to exhibit by themselves.
'By Her Majesty's Permission. This is to give Notice to all Gentlemen, Ladies, and Others, that Just over against the Mews Gate at Charing Cross, is to be seen a Collection of strange and wonderful Creatures from most Parts of the World, all alive.
'THE LEST MAN AND HORS IN THE WORLD.'
'The First being a little Black Man, being but 3 Foot high, and 32 Years of Age, strait and proportionable every way, who is distinguished by the Name of the Black Prince, and has been shown before most Kings and Princes in Christendom. The next being his Wife, the Little Woman, Not 3 Foot high, and 30 Years of Age, strait and proportionable as any Woman in the Land, which is commonly call'd the Fairy Queen, she gives a General satisfaction to all that sees her, by Diverting them with Dancing, being big with Child. Likewise their little Turkey Horse, being but 2 Foot odd Inches High, and above 12 Years of Age, that shews several diverting and surprising Actions, at the Word of Command. The least Man, Woman and Horse that ever was seen in the World Alive. The Horse being kept in a Box. The next being a strange Monstrous Female Creature, that was taken in the Wood in the Desarts of Ætiopia in Prestor John's Country, in the remotest parts of Affrica, being brought over from Cape de Bon Esperance, alias Cape of Good Hope; from hir Head downwards she resembles Humane Nature, having Breasts, Belly, Navel, Nipples, Legs, and Arms like a Woman, with a long Monstrous Head, no such Creature was ever seen in this part of the World before, she showing many strange and wonderful Actions which gives great satisfaction to all that ever did see her. The next is the noble Picary which is very much admir'd by the Learned. The next being the Noble Jack-call, the Lion's provider, which hunts in the Forest for the Lion's Prey. Likewise a small Egyptian Panther, spotted like a Leopard. The next being a strange monstrous Creature, brought from the Coast of Brazil, having a Head like a Child, Legs and Arms very wonderful, with a long Tail like a Serpent, wherewith he feeds himself, as an Elephant doth with his Trunk. With several other Rarities too tedious to mention in this Bill.'
Before quitting the natural history shows we must notice
'The finest Taught Horse in the World.