An Unexpected Visitor Appears Through the Floorboards

It was only a decade since East London had witnessed a Bengal Tiger strolling up the Ratcliffe Road. Now, late night revellers stumbling and swaying out of the local hostelries would again be rubbing their eyes, as Peto the elephant was marched not entirely willingly towards Beth or, more likely, Bett street, probably that very same street where Charles Jamrach held court over his own supply of exotic animals. George however at this point had the more pressing concern of how to accommodate Peto: 

At night when all was quiet “Peto” was walked to Beth Street, Ratcliff Highway and lodged in a gateway – crowbars were driven into the ground and “Peto” was chained to them – he had a good bed of straw and plenty of food and was left to himself.

Leaving Peto to himself was to prove to be another error of judgement: 

However about 4 o’clock in the morning there was a great cry of “Murder” and “Police” – on myself and keepers going to the scene we found that “Peto” had amused himself by tearing down the plaster ceiling over the gateway and knocking up the floorboards where a man, his wife and family were sleeping in happy ignorance of the elephant lodger below them and of course were much frightened. 

Arrangements were then made with Mr E T Smith and “Peto” was removed to Cremorne Gardens to await the arrival of the menagerie from the north of England.

The moving of Peto to Cremorne Gardens must have brought back some memories to George though. It was from here, back in June 1855, that he had been invited to step down from his wagon and accompany the authorities to Whitecross prison to await bankruptcy proceedings. 

George's 1866 visit to Cremorne Gardens, this time in the company of Peto the elephant, must indeed have been starting to look as if it would end in a similar outcome:

Cremorne Gardens, 1864 by Phoebus Levin
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=540257

After much difficulty he was got there – a strong den was made and he was secured – the French keeper however desired to return to Paris and left. From that time “Peto” fretted and began to shew his temper and would strike with his trunk at all who went near him – several keepers experienced with elephants tried to control him but failed and one, Edward Hendy, who thought he had mastered him was struck and had his ribs broken.

One cannot help but to be curious as to whether Mrs Wombwell was ever presented with a properly itemized expenses bill for the procurement of Peto, and had the opportunity to absorb the sheer trail of destruction that George Wombwell junior seemed to leave behind him as he proceeded on his merry way. One thing seems for sure though - Peto's French keeper had seen enough of les Anglais, and, more specifically of les Wombwells.