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in that journal； July 14； 1865； and was very generally quoted from and copied by provincial papers； many of whose readers accepted every line of the glowing narrative as 〃gospel truth〃：
〃Soon after the breaking out of the conflagration； a number of strange and terrible howls and moans proceeding from the large apartment in the third floor of the Museum； corner of Ann street and Broadway； startled the throngs who had collected in front of the burning building； and who were at first under the impression that the sounds must proceed from human beings unable to effect their escape。 Their anxiety was somewhat relieved on this score； but their consternation was by no means decreased upon learning that the room in question was the principal chamber of the menagerie connected with the Museum； and that there was imminent danger of the release of the animals there confined； by the action of the flames。 Our reporter fortunately occupied a room on the north corner of Ann street and Broadway； the windows of which looked immediately into this apartment； and no sooner was he apprised of the fire than he repaired there； confident of finding items in abundance。 Luckily the windows of the Museum were unclosed； and he had a perfect view of almost the entire interior of the apartment。 The following is his statement of what followed； in his own language。
〃Protecting myself from the intense heat as well as I could by taking the mattress from the bed and erecting it as a bulwark before the window； with only enough space reserved on the top so as to look out； I anxiously observed the animals in the opposite room。 Immediately opposite the window through which I gazed was a large cage containing a lion and lioness。 To the right hand was the three…storied cage； containing monkeys at the top； two kangaroos in the second story； and a happy family of cats； rats； adders； rabbits； etc。； in the lower apartment。 To the left of the lions' cage was the tank containing the two vast alligators； and still further to the left； partially hidden from my sight； was the grand tank containing the great white whale； which has created such a furore in our sightseeing midst for the past few weeks。 Upon the floor were caged the boa…constrictor； anacondas and rattlesnakes； whose heads would now and then rise menacingly through the top of the cage。 In the extreme right was the cage； entirely shut from my view at first； containing the Bengal tiger and the Polar bear； whose terrific growls could be distinctly heard from behind the partition。 With a simultaneous bound the lion and his mate sprang against the bars； which gave way and came down with a great crash； releasing the beasts； which for a moment； apparently amazed at their sudden liberty； stood in the middle of the floor lashing their sides with their tails and roaring dolefully。
〃Almost at the same moment the upper part of the three…storied cage； consumed by the flames； fell forward； letting the rods drop to the floor； and many other animals were set free。 Just at this time the door fell through and the flames and smoke rolled in like a whirlwind from the Hadean river Cocytus。 A horrible scene in the right…hand corner of the room； a yell of indescribable agony； and a crashing； grating sound； indicated that the tiger and Polar bear were stirred up to the highest pitch of excitement。 Then there came a great crash； as of the giving way of the bars of their cage。 The flames and smoke momentarily rolled back； and for a few seconds the interior of the room was visible in the lurid light of the flames； which revealed the tiger and the lion； locked together in close combat。
〃The monkeys were perched around the windows； shivering with dread； and afraid to jump out。 The snakes were writhing about； crippled and blistered by the heat； darting out their forked tongues； and expressing their rage and fear in the most sibilant of hisses。 The 'Happy Family' were experiencing an amount of beatitude which was evidently too cordial for philosophical enjoyment。 A long tongue of flame had crept under the cage； completely singing every hair from the cat's body。 The felicitous adder was slowly burning in two and busily engaged in impregnating his organic system with his own venom。 The joyful rat had lost his tail by a falling bar of iron； and the beatific rabbit； perforated by a red…hot nail； looked as if nothing would be more grateful than a cool corner in some Esquimaux farm…yard。 The members of the delectated convocation were all huddled together in the bottom of their cage； which suddenly gave way； precipitating them out of view in the depths below； which by this time were also blazing like the fabled Tophet。
〃At this moment the flames rolled again into the room； and then again retired。 The whale and alligators were by this time suffering dreadful torments。 The water in which they swam was literally boiling。 The alligators dashed fiercely about； endeavoring to escape； and opening and shutting their great jaws in ferocious torture； but the poor whale； almost boiled； with great ulcers bursting from his blubbery sides； could only feebly swim about； though blowing excessively； and every now and then sending up great fountains of spray。 At length； crack went the glass sides of the great cases； and whale and alligators rolled out on the floor with the rushing and steaming water。 The whale died easily； having been pretty well used up before。 A few great gasps and a convulsive flap or two of his mighty flukes were his expiring spasm。 One of the alligators was killed almost immediately by falling across a great fragment of shattered glass； which cut open his stomach and let out the greater part of his entrails to the light of day。 The remaining alligator became involved in a controversy with an anaconda； and joined the melee in the centre of the flaming apartment。
〃A number of birds which were caged in the upper part of the building were set free by some charitably inclined person at the first alarm of fire； and at intervals they flew out。 There were many valuable tropical birds； parrots； cockatoos； mockingbirds； humming…birds； etc。； as well as some vultures and eagles； and one condor。 Great excitement existed among the swaying crowds in the streets below as they took wing。 There were confined in the same room a few serpents； which also obtained their liberty； and soon after the rising and devouring flames began to enwrap the entire building； a splendid and emblematic sight was presented to the wondering and upgazing throngs。 Bursting through the central casement； with flap of wings and lashing coils； appeared an eagle and a serpent wreathed in fight。 For a moment they hung poised in mid…air； presenting a novel and terrible conflict。 It was the earth and air （or their respective representatives） at war for mastery； the base and the lofty； the groveller and the soarer； were engaged in deadly battle。 At length the flat head of the serpent sank； his writhing； sinuous form grew still； and wafted upward by the cheers of the gazing multitude； the eagle； with a scream of triumph； and bearing his prey in his iron talons； soared towards the sun。 Several monkeys escaped from the burning building to the neighboring roofs and streets； and consider