SHOKING SCENE IN A DUBLIN MUSIC HALL.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 11, Issue 793, 27 July 1888, Page 2

SHOKING SCENE IN A DUBLIN MUSIC HALL.

A LADY LION- TAMER BITTEN BY A LION. At a late exhibition a painful sensation was caused by an occurrence ia Mr Dan. LuWrey's Star Music Hall, Dublin, wheu Mdlle. Senida, the lady lion- tamer, was bitten by one of her animals, and sustained very severe injuries in the face and neck. Mdlle Seuido who for some weeks past ha* been carrying on au engagement iv Mr Lowrey Music Hail in exhibiting a troupe of wild animals was taking her benefit One of the feats she was in the habit of undertaking waa one common .enough among dariug performers of her class — namely, placing- her head within the mouth uf one of her lions and retaining it there for some time. She had hitherto accomplished the feat without accident, and got through it successfully during her perlormauce. On this occasion, however when the entertainment was over and the audience goue, a photographer from Mr Robinsons was in attendance to take views of the daring artiste in her most thrilling performances. He took two photographs of Mdlle. Senide, along with her lions, and the third view was to consist of the lady lion tamer in a cage, with her head in the lion's mouth. It required a considerable time to arrange the preliminaries, and the lion, it appears, grew impatient under the delay. Meanwhile Mdlle. Senide was holdiug her head iv the animal,s mouth in the manner in which she was in the habit of appearing before the audience. When the photo grapher turned on the magnesium ligh* used in the process the flash startled the animal, and he closed his mouth suddenly on the unfortunate artiste's head. For some seconds his massive jsws remained closed on her neck, till her manager, Mr Carl Beckman, a German, rushed into the cage and beat off the lion. The injured woman tainted away, and, with Jier neck

streaming with blood, was taken from the cage. A messenger was sent for medical aid, and an assistant of Dr Cahill, of Dame Street, was immediately in attendance. It was found that one of the immense tusks of the brute had been buried in his tamer's neck, and that her breast was severely injured by a scratch from the claws of the lion, which tore away the flesh. Mademoiselle Senide was placed in a cab and at once conveyed to her residence, 49 Great Brunswick Street. Five stitches had to be placed in her cheek. The operation was extremely painful, and the victim of the accident is much prostrated by the shock to her nerves which the sudden bite of the lion caused. However, she is not regarded as being in any serious danger. The lion appeared impatient under the operation of being photographed ;but still his action is not regarie d as of a hostile attitude to his keeper. The explanation probably is that the tension of keeping his jaws wide open, coupled with the start ot the sudden light, may have made him involuntarily close his mouth on the lady. But for the presence of mind displayed by Mr Beckman in rushing to the assistance of Mdlle. Senide, the result might have been fatal. The lion is stated to have been very tame, and to have shown no insubordination previously. The effect of the eccurrence will be to stop the performance of Mdlle. Senide in Dublin.