ereupon the Duke of Tuscany assured
him that he had the lion from that very friend of his."

CANOVA'S LIONS AND THE CHILD.

The mausoleum of Pope Clement XII., whose name was Rezzonico, is one of
the greatest works of Antonio Canova, the celebrated Italian sculptor.
It is in St Peter's, at Rome, and was erected in 1792. It is only
mentioned here on account of two lions, which were faithfully studied
from nature.

His biographer, Mr Memes,[142] tells us that these lions were formed
"after long and repeated observation on the habits and forms of the
living animals. Wherever they were to be seen Canova constantly visited
them, at all hours, and under every variety of circumstances, that he
might mark their natural expression in different states of action and of
repose, of ferocity or gentleness. One of the keepers was even paid to
bring information, lest any favourable opportunity should pass
unimproved."

One of these lions is sleeping, while the other, which is under the
figure of the personification of religion, couches--but is awake, in
attitude of guarding inviolate the approach to the sepulchre, and ready
with a tremendous roar to spring upon the intruder.

Canova himself was much pleased with these lions. Mr Memes illustrates
their wonderful force and truth by a little anecdote.

"One day, while the author (a frequent employment) stood at some
distance admiring from different points of view the tomb of Rezzonico, a
woman with a child in her arms advanced to the lion, which appears to be
watching. The terrified infant began to scream violently, clinging to
the nurse's bosom, and exclaiming, '_Mordera, mamma, mordera!_' (It will
bite, mamma; it will bite.) The mother turned to the opposite one, which
seems asleep; her charge was instantly pacified; and smiling through
tears, extended its little arm to stroke the shaggy head, whispering in
subdued accents, as if afraid to awake the monster, '_O come placido!
non mordero quello, mamma._' (How gentle! this one will not bite,
mother.")

ADMIRAL NAPIER AND THE LION IN THE TOWER.

Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B., when a boy in his fourteenth year,
visited London on his way to join his first ship at Spithead, the
_Renown_. His biographer tells us he was staying at the house of a
relative, who, "after showing the youngster all the London sights, took
him to see the lions at the Tower. Amongst them was one which the keeper
represented as being so very tame tha