writing Romon characters on a board, in a very orderly manner, his keeper only showing him the figure of each letter. While thus employed, the eyes might be observed studiously cast down on the writing, and exhibiting an appearance of great skill and erudition. 66 Considering the strength, sagacity, and obedience of this animal, and the various beneficial purposes which it is destined to fulfil, it is by. no means surprising that it should be taken into the service of man. Accordingly, we find that this creature from time immemorial has been employed either for the purposes of war, labour, or ostentation, to increase the grandeur of oriental monarchs, or to extend their dominions. "Hitherto we have considered the elephant in its natural state; but we shall now regard it in a different point of view, namely, as taken from the forest, and reduced to the service of man. We are to observe, this brave but harmless quadruped learning the arts of mankind, and instructed by him in all the horrors of war, massacre, and devastation-and to observe this half reasoning animal led into the field of battle, and wondering at those tumults, and that martial fervour which it is itself taught to increase. No elephants are ever now found on this side of Mount Atlas ; though beyond the river Senegal, and in the internal parts of the country, they are prodigiously numerous. In these extensive and unpeopled regions, they seem, in conjunction with other wild beasts, to maintain an undisturbed dominion they appear to be but little apprehensive of man, and seemingly sensible of his impotence, and their own power. They often They often ravage his little labours, and treat him with the same haughty disdain as they do other animals. "The elephant, when tamed, is the most gentle and obedient of all animals: it soon discovers an attachment to its keeper, caresses him, obeys him, and seems to anticipate his desires. It even comprehends the different tones of his voice, so as perfectly to distinguish between those of command, anger, and approbation; all its motions are regulated, and its actions, which seem to correspond with its magnitude, are grave and majestic. It is quickly taught to kneel, in order to receive its rider: it fondles those with whom it is acquainted; salutes such as it is ordered to distinguish, and with its trunk, as with a hand, assists in taking up a part of its load. "It suffers itself to be arrayed in harness, seemingly exulting in the fineness of its trappings. It draws either chariots, cannon, or shipping, with surprising strength and perseverance, and even with apparent satisfaction, while it is not beat without a cause, and its master seems to applaud its exertions. The conductor of the elephant, who is usually mounted on its neck, guides it with an iron rod, sometimes pointed, and at other times bent like a hook: with this instrument it is spurred forwards, when either slothful or disobedient; but in general, a single word is sufficient to put the gentle creature in motion, after it is once acquainted with its leader; and indeed this acquaintance is often absolutely ne cessary, for the elephant frequently conceives such an affection for its keeper, that it refuses to obey the command of any other person; and we are told, that many of these animals have even died with grief, after having with some sudden fit of phrenzy destroyed their owners. "It has often been asserted, that one of them which had been trained to draw the cannon of the French forces in India, was taught to expect a certain reward from its conducter in the accomplishment of some arduous and dangerous service; but that being once disappointed in the expectation, the enraged animal slew him; when his wife, who had been a spectator of the horrid scene, probably instigated either by madness or despair, immediately threw her two little sons at the creature's feet, crying out, that since it had killed her husband, it might also kill the infants. The elephant observing the babes in that situation, seemed to make a sudden pause, and moderating its fury, lifted up the eldest of them with its trunk, and placing him on its neck, thus adopted him for its conductor, and ever after obeyed him with the most scrupulous punctuality. "As a particular instance of the astonishing power, as well as the sensibility of the elephant, we are informed, that on the launching of a very large vessel in India, a tame one was directed to force it into the water, when the task proved superior to the animal's strength, in spite of its utmost exertions. The keeper, however, affecting VOL. III. R to despise the poor creature's best endeavours, cried out, 'Take away that lazy beast, and bring another better qualified for service:' when the elephant instantly redoubling its efforts, fractured its skull, and died on the spot. "The following anecdotes, as they are derived from the best authorities, may perhaps serve to elucidate the peculiar qualities and dispositions of this very singular quadruped. In the city of Delhi, an elephant passing along the streets, put its trunk into a tailor's shop, where several people were at work: one of the men, either for the sake of amusement, or from motives of brutality, pricked the animal's trunk with his needle, and seemed to entertain himself exceedingly with this pitiful achievement. The elephant, however, passed on, without betraying any signs of immediate resentment; but coming to a dirty puddle, filled its trunk with part of the contents, returned to the charge, and spurting the foul water all over the finery on which the tailors were employed, thus amply revenged the insult. "In Adzmeer an elephant, which frequently passed through the public bazaar, as it approached a certain herb woman, had always received from her hands a mouthful of greens. Being one day seized with a periodical fit of madness, the animal instantly broke its fetters, and running through the market, put the whole crowd of buyers and sellers to flight, among whom was his old benefactress, who had in her haste left her little child at the stall. But the animal suddenly recollect ing the spot where she was accustomed to sit, lifted up the infant gently with its trunk, and conveyed it to a place of security. "At the Cape of Good Hope, where it is customary to hunt elephants for the sake of their teeth, and where three horsemen, well mounted, and armed with lances, usually attack one of these animals alternately, each relieving the other, till the creature becomes their prey, three Dutchmen, who were brothers, and who had acquired large fortunes by this occupation, determined to retire to their native country, in order to enjoy the fruits of their labours, but wished, before they put their design into execution, to amuse themselves with a final chace. They accordingly set forwards, and soon meeting with an object, began the attack in their usual manner. In the interim, one of their horses happening unfortunately to fall, thus dismounted his rider; which the enraged elephant instantly perceiving, seized the unhappy huntsman, tossed him to a vast height in the air, and received the falling victim on one of its tusks: then turning towards the other two brothers, with an aspect expressive of revenge and insult, held out to them the impaled victim, writhing in the agonies of death."* as Now when we reflect on this relation, it is, connected with the subject before us, well worthy our most attentive consideration; for it does not, we conceive, appear quite consistent with the other ordinations of the Father of all mercies, to suppose that He will ultimately consign such * Martin on Animals. |