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St. Andrews Standard, Nov 10, 1836An Uninvited Visitor
Last week as the Ship Feliza of Bristol, Capt. Saunders, was lying alongside of Rait's wharf, all the crew snoozing in the forecastle, save the watch on deck who were spinning the usual yarns, a stranger was observed to slip on board, and with great gravity but little ceremony, descend directly into the cabin. The Captain being on shore, the black steward was called to wait on the visitor—he ran down with alacrity to proffer his services, when to his consternation he beheld a huge bear seated on a locker, calmly surveying the comfortable accommodations around him, with which indeed he appeared to be mightily satisfied. After a short pause the steward became reassured and ventured to present his keys to the grisly stranger, but this act of courtesy not being conformable to bearish etiquette, Bruin returned such a salute of the paw as drove the steward from his August presence. The alarm being given, the crew ran to inspect the new shipmate, but he maintained a sullen silence and resolutely held possession of his quarters, as if waiting to enter into articles with the commander. When Capt. Saunders arrived on board he was apprized of the impertinent intrusion of his grim majesty, and cautiously descended to the cabin, but Bruin, with the peculiar tact for which some bears are famed, shrewdly suspecting he had got into the wrong box, took an opportunity of slipping quickly into the hold, wisely considering it a fitter arena for the display of his burly maneuvers. The Captain highly approved of this movement, and has confirmed Mr. Bruin is his new possession with the additional appendages of a handsome muzzle and chain. We understand that greater honours await the intruder, as Capt. Saunders intends to present him to the Zoological Garden, on his arrival at Bristol.