On a principle of prudence, however, and because it was judged that if these inmates of the same refectory, ever quarrelled, it would be at a meal-time, they were of late separately fed: that is to say, not at separate times, or tables, but, at opposite corners of the apartment: but the Bitch has often been known to help herself out of Charlotte’s portion, without fear or ceremony, and her majesty to shew no resentment, nor any kind of royal displeasure or hurt feeling, at the indecorum.
We esteem this Engraving to afford a fair example of the positive, or negative, power of the sovereign of the forest, of physiognomically expressing the gentler emotions. But it occurs to us here—and we mention it in reference to an argument maintained in an earlier part of this dissertation—that perhaps licking with the tongue may belong to the dumb language of quadrupedal expression of affection. But the Dog, and the Cat, kind, express themselves in this way; and amongst each other, it cannot be misunderstood—the affectionate idea being impressed at the period of their very earliest susceptibilities, and associated—perhaps as indissolubly as the human endearments of smiles and kissing—with their youngest, purest, and most permanent recollections.
[No. XVIII.]
In this plate the ideas of expeditious motion, and quest, are admirably depicted:—kept up from stem to stern; he is evidently bent on destruction.—This is he that appeared to the terrified imagination of Collins’s Oriental camel-driver, who, in his beautiful Eclogue, exclaims—
“What, if the Lion in his rage I meet!”
And the determined purpose which pervades the whole frame and the mind of the sallying hero, is seen in his resolute look, as well as in every motion of his muscular limbs—aye, to the very tuft at the extremity of his tail. All is expressive of his plenitude of animation, and prey is obviously his purpose. None can mistake him.
This will probably be thought another of the instances in which the present artists have been eminently successful in the execution of their subject. (For the design they were indebted to the etching-needle of Ridinger.) The shag of the mane is characteristically varied from the short hair which covers the face, body, and limbs; the anatomy is ably indicated; and the chiaroscuro is vigorous.
[18]
E. Spilsbury delt. T. Landseer sculpt.
Lion after Reydinger.