before editing this book, i took the opportunity offered by mr. frank c. bostock of practically living in one of his animal exhibitions for a few weeks, in order to see things as they were, and not as i had always heard of them.

i was allowed to go in and out at all times and all hours; to enter the training-schools whenever i liked; to go behind the runways and cages,—a special privilege given to the trainers only, as a rule,—and to be a spectator of whatever happened to be going on at the time.

the thing which interested me most, and to which i paid special attention, was that at no time in this exhibition did i once see the slightest act of cruelty in any way. each one of the trainers and keepers had pride in his own special animals, and i had many proofsxii of their kindness and consideration to their charges. the sick animals were most carefully looked after and doctored, and in one case of a lion cub having convulsions, i noticed dim eyes in more than one keeper when the poor little animal was convulsed and racked with suffering.

had i seen the least cruelty or neglect in any way, i need scarcely say nothing would have induced me to edit this book.

ellen velvin.

new york city,

june 8th, 1903.