Leicester, England

The Victorians were wont to transport small groups of 'natives' to England and, often, exhibit them in mock-ups of their 'natural habitat' as instructive entertainment. The people in question - from China, Japan, Africa, Australia, New Zealand et al. - were not confined in these spaces; but these were, in effect, human zoos. The interactions of the 'exhibits' with the locals remains a source of queasy fascination. Here's a piece from The Standard 31 January 1851, which contrasts the 'South African' (presented as something of an innocent 'noble savage') with the hooting mobs of English ...

SCENE IN A CATHEDRAL. In the Worcestershire Journal of Wednesday last appeared the following announcement:-- "South Africans. - An interesting physiological fact occurred at Leicester on Saturday, December 21st, at which place the South Africans were being exhibited, the Amaponda woman, wife of the Zoolu chief, having given birth to a female infant, the only instance of a child of these African tribes being born in Europe. We understand that their conductor intends introducing the party to a Worcester audience, and that the infant will be baptised in our cathedral on Monday, the Lord Bishop having promised to administer the sacred rite in person."

Just before the afternoon service on Monday a carriage, which was followed by hundreds of women and children, drove up to the cathedral. It contained the African woman, whose name is said to be Macomba Faku, the godfather, and two godmothers, one of whom carried the infant. They were conducted to seats between the pulpit and chancel, had they were no sooner seated there than the cathedral began to fill, while two or three hundred persons crowded themselves into that confined part of the choir where the attraction presented itself -- squeezed themselves in heaps on the seat mounted each other's shoulders, bestrid the chancel rails, and got into every position which commanded a view of the poor, wondering, half-frightened woman. Presently the bishop arrived, also Canons Benson, Wood, and Cocks, and occupied their usual stalls. When the service commenced, as also when the organ struck out, Macomba evinced some surprise, but on the whole her conduct and demeanour were decidedly a pattern for those by whom she was surrounded. Neither the solemnity of the service nor the, sacredness of the place produced any effect, in checking the: disgraceful extravagancies of the mob, who were walking about, laughing and talking loud all the time, some men in their shirt sleeves, women and girls without bonnets, &c. Meanwhile, a large party had taken possesion of Jesus Chapel, in the nave where the font is placed, and which of course was to be the scene of the principal part of the ceremony. Here were men and women of the lowest character, using language which would have disgraced a gin palace, and all struggling to obtain the most advantageous positions. By and bye the services in the choir were concluded, and as by this time upwards of 2000 persons were assembled, the rush towards the font was terrific. With great difficulty the bishop arrived at the spot, accompanied by Canons Cocks and Benson, Macomba Fako, and her friends with the baby, the choristers and vergers, &c. The pressure was now terrific; children were knocked down, the shouts. and catcalls became deafening, and boys who had climbed on the tops of the monuments in the chapel screamed with delight as though they were the genii of the anarchy around them. The canons and Lord Sandys (the latter of whom was obliged to do battle with the multitude) were nearly taken off their legs, and at one time we thought that the font itself would have been upset by a coup de main. The lay clerks also were compelled to act as special constables to  ward off the multitude. The bishop, however, proceeded with the rite, which, it is needless to add, was a dumb show to all who were not close to the spot. The woman, who stood resting against the font, behaved in the most exemplary manner, eyeing the bishop at times with some curiosity; the infant also (which was dressed in a long white robe, that contested curiously with its little black limbs) proved itself to belong to a well-bred race by preserving the utmost decorum, and not allowing even a whimper to escape its lips ; indeed, the poor thing had been so kissed and pulled about that mere fatigue might account for its quietude. On its being sprinkled with the water the mother looked with great surprise and concern and held an eager conversation with her guardian and the women; his lordship hastened this part of the ceremony, as though fearful of the consequences, and soon put down the child, which had the effect of restoring confidence to the poor woman. The name given to the child, we are told, was "Leicester, England,"

The Talking and Performing Fish

The display of wonders and freaks was a constant throughout the Victorian period. From the Times of April 1859:

"THE TALKING AND PERFORMING FISH will arrive at 191 Piccadilly, early in May. Complimentary cards to naturalists and gentlemen of the press will be issued for private performances three days before public exhibition."

Later, in July of that year:

"THE TALKING AND PERFORMING FISH is still exhibiting at 191, Piccadilly, admission 1s. daily. Children half price."

Unfortunately, not every act lived up to its advertisements:

"The first glance at the living wonder dispelled all our hopes of something new. No scaly, leaden-eyed, cold-blooded fish lay basking in the huge tub which we found placed in the centre of the exhibition-room; but, instead, a beautiful seal, in the finest possible health, raised its intelligent head to meet our disappointed gaze. ...  Seals are very readily domesticated; and, as our present subject has been a sort of pet since 1854, she has been taught to go through a series of rude tricks, dignified by the title of "performance." Jenny - for this is the name given her by her keeper - at the word of command, closing her hand-like fins to her side, began to roll round and round in the water like a leg of mutton on a roasting jack ... Another series of revolutions in the tub, she raised herself on to its edge, and, stretching out her long wet body a considerable distance forward, placed her cold wet nose against her master's face, by way of showing "how to give a kiss." So much for the performing; now for the talking. Understanding the orders given, she uttered what I believe to be her natural cry, and which, when the spectator is told means "mamma" or "papa" is certainly very like those infantile words. The papers stated she could "call John" but she did not get further than "mamma" or "papa," nor, indeed, is she ever likely to made to improve upon her own natural language, which, luckily for the proprietor, may be said to resemble our own, as regards these two simple words. A good parrot, magpie or starling would beat the "fish" hollow at talking."

I would if Jenny read her reviews? Occasionally, however, the boot was on the other fin. Here's a description of the 'Beckwith Frogs', the family who 'lived underwater' for the amusement of the public (Penny Illustrated Paper, 1869):

"To watch the wondrous evolutions of the human seals who presently glide into the water is as refreshing as Sainsbury's cooling drinks. With the ease and celerity of the sea-bear at the Zoological Gardens, Master Willie Beckwith goes through a series of acrobatic gyrations under water. Like a perch among minnows, he darts past the startled goldfish, and dives from one end of the tank to the other, until it is a relief to see him rise to the surface to regain breath. He plunges to the bottom again, and walks on his hands; and, still immersed, gracefully performs a number of somersaults. The expert tricks of this young "Beckwith Frog" are excelled by Professor Beckwith's assistant teacher of swimming, a skilful young exponent of the art named Thomas Attwood. Easy and graceful in his sub-aqueous movements - quite finished in style, in point of fact - this lithe young swimmer is also as agile as an otter, and his power of remaining under water should entitle him to be included among amphibious animals. Grateful though the idea of taking one's meals in the water, after the manner of Mr. and Mrs. Craddock, may be during sultry weather, the thought of indulging the appetite under water is not so tempting, and it is to be feared that in only too many cases the trial would end in providing a dinner for those to the manner born. To eat, drink, and smoke even under water appears, however, to come quite naturally to Attwood. As he sinks he is seen to place a portion of a roll in his mouth and to eat the whole of the bread before emerging. Down into his seemingly native element he glides once more, this time with a lemonade bottle full of milk, which be drains to the last drop before rising. Like Old King Cole, he now calls for his pipe. Taking a whiff or so above water first, Merman Attwood rejoins the gold fish, and enjoys a smoke in the attitude depicted by our Artist for an unconscionably long time, the blue vapour rolling up from his mouth in small volumes, which can be plainly seen, while the bowl of the "churchwarden" of course remains above the surface. Capping this clever feat by remaining recumbent at the bottom of the aquarium for seventy seconds (too long a time for even you to be submerged without risk, Mr. Attwood), the elder "Beckwith Frog" brought his performance to a close amid a well-merited burst of applause, which was shared by Master Willie Beckwith. Clad in fleshings and drawers, after the fashion of acrobats, these adroit young divers flash about the aquarium with a fishlike facility that is extraordinary enough to draw all London Cremorne-wards to see them.
    It may be added, for the benefit of those who many wish to witness the performances of the "Beckwith Frogs" at an earlier hour than eleven that on Saturday afternoons there is a children festival at Cremorne, when all the amusements of the gardens may be enjoyed at a reduced rate. Another opportunity of seeing these marine acrobats at a convenient time will be offered on Monday evening, the 28th inst., when they are to appear at an aquatic entertainment to be given by Professor Beckwith at the Lambeth Swimming-Bath. Champion swimmer of England for several years, the Professor is, necessarily, sadly, also a famous Performer in the water; and the natatory skill of himself and family, together with the keen racing which his prizes always call forth, causes his swimming fetes to be deservedly popular."

Sounds Underground

A great sound installation is running at (well, underneath) Somerset House until 31st May entitled "River Sounding" ... I just went today and I wish I could go during the late-night opening on Thursdays (when it gets dark and must be seriously spooky). I seriously recommend it, if you have a few minutes to spare ... website here ... spotted via the great http://londonist.com/

Steampunks

STEAMPUNKS

The endearingly barmy world of steampunk (a world with which I'm not overly familiar) seems to be gathering momentum, invading our more mundane reality with increasing frequency. Visit Oxford for an unlikely exhibition.