Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Extract, Report

Publications extracted:

Zoological Society 1832

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

T Hood

Subjects:

Societies, Zoology, Breeding, Cruelty, Menageries

    The editor of the Comic Annual has purportedly received two reports of the Farm of the Zoological Society: one printed and the other hand-written by a servant. Reproduces some 'elegant extracts' from the printed report (97). Notes that 'while the aristocracy of the present age is displaying its powers in the way of retrenchment, the Zoological Society does not show much breeding in its economy'. The society is frank about the failure of many species to breed: 'and considering that so much money is received at the doors through orders—a case unparalleled in other theatrical exhibitions—it is only to be wondered at that so little should be expended in, and so much be suffered from the default of, mending gaps and broken rails, and widening coops and cages'. Considers it cruel not to let 'the little Zebra have a shed to fit easily'. (98) The short extracts are chosen to illustrate the society's failure to keep the animals in appropriate accommodation to facilitate breeding, and the apparent consumption of some of the animals as food. The illustration captioned 'A Report on the Farm' (104) depicts exotic animals of various kinds being flung into the air by an explosion in a building.

See also:

CA1/4/7