Asley's Circus on Westminster Bridge Road was the most famous and popular in London. It had been exhibiting in nightly performance for some time four "ferocious" lions under a lion-tamer named Crockett. On a Monday morning, the lions attacked an unfortunate sub-keeper named Smith killing him instantly. When his body was found, the animals had returned to their normal docile state and performed as usual that evening. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
Chronicle, The Annual Register or a View of the History and Politics of the Year 1861 (London: F. & J. Rivington, 1862), 10-11.