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Title: A visit to the elephant
Author: Mary Ann Hedge
Release date: April 24, 2026 [eBook #78540]
Language: English
Original publication: London: Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy; Harvey and Darton; and Swinborne and Walter, 1825
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/78540
Credits: The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Toronto Public Library)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A VISIT TO THE ELEPHANT ***
A
VISIT
TO THE
ELEPHANT.
“O Lord, how manifold are thy works, in wisdom hast thou made
them all!”
BY THE AUTHOR OF
“_Samboe_,” “_Twilight Hours Improved_,” _&c._
LONDON:
BALDWIN, CRADOCK, AND JOY; HARVEY
AND DARTON; AND SWINBORNE
AND WALTER.
1825.
Swinborne and Walter, Printers,
Colchester.
[Illustration: _And in a moment the ever-welcome Visitant was seen
driving up the avenue._
_Page 29._]
A VISIT, &c.
CHAP. I.
Nothing can be more natural than the attachment and regard to
which the faithful services of our domestics are entitled; it
is a beautiful link in the chain of family charities, and can
only be severed by pride, by folly, or by vice.
It was one of those lovely mornings which frequently mark the declining
autumn in our variable climate, when summer as it were seems to linger
amid the decaying vestiges of her glory, and the deep verdure of the
vales affords a strong and lively contrast to the seared leaves, falling
in quick succession from the branches so late affording refreshing
shade to the traveller; when the stormy winds which had howled through
the quick-changing woods, swept over the fields divested of their waving
riches, and whose violence had awakened the sympathy of the compassionate
for the unfortunates exposed to elemental strife, had sunk into the
profoundest repose, and the fleecy clouds seemed still and motionless
as a flock of sheep slumbering in peace under the shepherd’s care:
every thing in nature breathing tranquillity, and disposing the mind to
gentleness and peace. It was on such a morning after nearly a sleepless
night, Mr. Elmer entered his breakfast-room, having taken his usual
morning’s stroll on the gravel terrace upon which the windows opened; he
had scarcely entered, before his old and faithful domestic attended with
the breakfast equipage, and having modestly and respectfully inquired how
he had passed the boisterous night, put the newspaper with other papers
upon the table, keeping one in his hand. “And what is that long paper,
Alan?” inquired Mr. Elmer; “why this your honour was given me as I went
for the rolls; it is an account of the wild beasts that are arrived at
C——” and he gave the paper to his master, who saw that it contained the
figures and description of an itinerant menagerie then exhibiting at the
town, in the immediate vicinity of which he resided.
“Dear, your honour,” said Alan, “sure Master Harry and Miss Joanna, and
may be my little favorite Miss Ellen, would like to see the elephant; _I_
really should, to see if it is as fine a one as those we used to admire
in India: you remember that fine beast at Calcutta in particular your
honour, as sensible as any Christian?” “Yes I do indeed, Alan;” replied
Mr. Elmer, with his accustomed affability; “and I think with you, that it
will be a great treat to the dear children, to see an animal which even
in its confined state, so greatly displays the wisdom of the Creator;
they cannot be too early acquainted with such proofs of his greatness
and goodness. Tell William to get the phaeton ready, and we will go for
them this lovely morning; you must also be our escort to the elephant,
Alan; for (he added with an arch smile), your old master is almost in
his second childhood, and there is no telling what effect the sight of
the huge elephant may have upon him.” “Bless your honour, when you talk
so, you make me feel so queer; but life and death are in the power of a
good GOD, and you have taught me my dear master, to submit every thing to
his will: I hope it is no sin to pray that as we have lived together, so
we may die together.” A tear of affection swelled in the eye of the old
domestic, as he regarded with a look of grateful veneration his beloved
master, whose fine mild and placid features, indicated a soul at peace
with itself, and in the habitual exercise of the best feelings of the
heart. “Well my good fellow, pour out my coffee, and let us lose no time
in fetching the young ones to this great sight: tell Mary they will dine
here, therefore not to forget the pudding.” Alan hastened to obey; and
while he is making his preparations, and his master takes his coffee, we
will introduce them a little more particularly to our young friends.
CHAP. II.
“From the same bosom drew the vital stream,
Through life’s eventful scenes together passed.”
The father of Mr. Elmer held a considerable official situation in India,
and almost immediately succeeding the birth of this his only child,
was obliged to sail for Bengal, taking with him his young wife, having
prevailed upon her to leave her infant under the care of a young woman
who had been a favorite attendant, and was respectably married to a
farmer in her native village, bordering on the Highlands of Scotland.
Mrs Thomson, sincerely attached to her dear young mistress, received
her infant with a mother’s tenderness, and having recently given birth
to her own first-born, she placed the little Henry by his side, and
faithfully promised his weeping mother, that he should never miss her
fostering love at least: and she hoped that in a year or two she should
return him a “bonny lad to her dear lady.” But her anticipations were
never verified, poor Henry never more was pressed to his mother’s bosom,
or caused the thrill of parental pride to swell a father’s breast, for in
returning to England after an absence of five years, the ship was wrecked
and all on board perished.
The guardians of the orphan however, permitted him to remain during the
first happy years of childhood with his foster parents, and he shared
to the full their affectionate attention with their own son Alan, while
the boys themselves grew up in every respect as brothers; although
Mrs. Thomson, who possessed no small share of the sound sense which
distinguishes the inferior classes of her country, always impressed upon
the mind of her son, that while he loved Henry as a brother, he must also
ever recollect that he was his superior, and as such entitled to his
respect and duty. “I shall be happy my dear Alan,” she would say, “if
when he grows up to manhood, that he will take you into his service, for
surely it will be a service of love; and unless his disposition greatly
changes, you must, my dear boy, be happy with him.” Alan fully concurred
in this secret wish of his mother, and by its frequent repetition, was
accustomed habitually to regard Henry as his master, and to pay him a
sort of intuitive deference, which was not in the remotest degree allied
to servility, but flowed from that modest humility which ennobles the
heart that cherishes it; and which rendered Alan as much respected as
beloved by his master, and all who knew him under all the various changes
and situations of his succeeding life. Perhaps the first sorrow either
of these boys experienced, was at the period when Henry was to quit the
cottage of his foster parents, to be placed at a public seminary for
education, and his beloved companion Alan was not to accompany him; for
hitherto their studies had proceeded together under the tuition of the
village preceptor: and they had been distinguished by him as diligent and
clever boys. “And why may not Alan go with me?” he artlessly inquired
of his guardian. “Because Alan is a farmer’s son my dear, and you are
a gentleman’s son; education necessary for him may be obtained in his
native village, but you must go where you will form connections suitable
to your birth, and be taught many things requisite to your advancement
in the world.” “But Alan learns quite as quick as me, and indeed we
both acquire our lessons easier when we study together.” “Perhaps so,
but you will have numerous companions; beside my dear boy, much as
your wish proves your affection, assure yourself it would be a very
false species of it to remove Alan from his sphere, in fulfilling the
peculiar duties of which, he may live happy and respected, and in which
you may greatly contribute to render him so; but in removing him from
his early connections, or in elevating him above them, you hazard his
humility, consequently his virtue and his happiness; and by refining his
mind, you may destroy his relish for the simple pleasures of his present
situation, without having it in your power to substitute any to supply
its place; hence, you may in the hope of increasing his happiness, be
in danger of producing discontent.” Henry’s reason could not but concur
in these remarks of his guardian, while his feelings revolted from the
separation. It was however useless to contend against necessity; and in a
few days, (after mutual assurances of remembrance, correspondence, &c.)
the boys bid adieu to each other. Much might be said upon the mutual
feelings of these affectionate lads; but it is wisely ordained that the
strong emotions of youth should quickly give place to new excitements,
and fresh objects of curiosity; it will therefore only be necessary to
say, that although each felt the deprivation of the other’s society,
each became resigned to the necessity, each open to the enjoyments of
their peculiar situation: their mutual parting promises were religiously
kept, Henry frequently wrote to his humble friend the incidents of his
school life,—the progress of his studies; and Alan recounted the village
anecdotes, the fidelity and sagacity of Ryno, Henry’s favorite spaniel,
the fresh haunts of the mountains he had discovered, his success in
fishing, &c. Henry acquired no pride to cloud the pleasure with which he
remembered the simple cottage and its dear inhabitants; Alan never lost
sight of his humility and respect in corresponding with his beloved young
master, while it expanded his ideas and enlarged his views beyond what
they could otherwise have attained.
Thus years passed on, during which but one summer vacation had been
passed in what Henry emphatically called “the happy valley;” a thousand
plans were then formed for the future by the enterprising boys; all
tending to a renewal of companionship: and at a time when they least
expected, their most sanguine wishes were fulfilled. Henry had nearly
attained his seventeenth year, when this unexpected wish promised
accomplishment. It is thus recounted in an extract of a letter to Alan.
“At length, Alan, my future destination seems determined upon, and I
hasten to inform you of the proposed plan, as you, my lad, are somewhat
interested in it. Now I think I see those blue veins on your temples
swell, and your eyes flash fire while you repeat the last words. Well
then to the point, through the interest of Mr. H. I shall, in the
spring, ‘if it pleases God,’ as our dear pious mother would say, sail
for India, being appointed to a situation in the presidency, to which
my youth would have been an obstacle, had it not been obviated by my
facility in sketching objects from nature, (acquired, I verily believe,
in measuring distances among our rocks and mountains, Alan, and _peering_
after you on the crags), and also my _wonderful_ acquisition of the
oriental languages; I suppose rendered easy to me by the flexibility of
the organs, produced by the early habit of mimicing the mountain echoes,
and the cries of the sea birds to deceive you, my good boy. Be this as
it may, I find I have astonished the examiners, and am in consequence,
strongly recommended to the governor-general, as competent to the
honourable and confidential situation in question. ‘But how’ I think I
hear you say ‘can this so much interest _me_, except indeed as it removes
my friend far far from me?’ Now attend, and I will tell you—I am not only
allowed, but required to take a personal attendant with me to the seat
of eastern parade and luxurious ease—the presidency, and if Alan Thomson
can make up his mind to quit the happy valley, and all that constitutes
it such, where can Henry Elmer choose better, than to have him for his
personal attendant?” It is almost unnecessary to say, that Alan joyfully
acceded to the plan, and although his mother “wept sore” at parting,
yet she could not but acknowledge that her wishes were fulfilled.
Accordingly, loaded with her blessings, and the good wishes of all who
knew him, he joined Henry in London, and they sailed together for India.
It would be no unamusing task, to detail the events which occurred
to these constant companions while in Asia; we may perhaps one day
recount their various adventures, one only, in which a young officer,
an intimate friend of Henry Elmer, was a principal actor, and he with
Alan spectators, we will detail, as it illustrates the dangers to which
the orientals are exposed by the wild animals of these torrid regions.
“During the march of a detachment, conducting some official servants of
the presidency to a place appointed, on their arrival at a village, the
zumudar made known to the party, that a tiger had taken up his quarters
in the vicinity, and besides committing terrible ravages among the
cattle, he had killed several villagers, and had on that morning wounded
the son of the zumudar, who was with great difficulty rescued from death.
Animated by this account, all the young men of the party, both military
and civil, determined to hunt this terrific animal, and mounting their
elephants proceeded to dislodge him from his haunts. They soon discovered
him. The elephant of the young officer alluded to being rather in the
advance, was attacked by the tiger; another elephant, which was near,
turned round in apparent dismay and ran off to some distance. The tiger
had sprung upon the shoulder of the first elephant, and the rider,
with admirable presence of mind, fired at him in this situation, and
he fell. Imagining however (too hastily) that he had disabled him, he
rashly descended from the elephant, for the purpose of despatching the
tiger with his pistols, but in alighting from the ponderous animal, he
unfortunately came in contact with the tiger, which with the instinctive
wiliness that distinguishes the species, had only couched for a second
spring, and now catching hold of the unfortunate, youth, dragged him
some distance along the ground; his presence of mind, however, did not
forsake him, but having succeeded in drawing a pistol from his belt,
he fired it, and lodged the ball in the body of the tiger; the enraged
and furious beast shook him violently without quitting his hold, and
made off to the thickest part of the jungle with his prey. In the
struggle to disengage himself from the furious beast, the officer almost
instinctively caught hold of him by both his ears, and succeeded, after a
desperate conflict, in throwing the animal upon his side, when he again
availed himself of this momentary release to draw forth his remaining
pistol, and presenting the muzzle close to the breast of the tiger,
shot him through the heart. He then returned to his elephant, which he
actually mounted without assistance—so great is the influence of the mind
over the feelings of the body, declaring, afterwards, that he, at that
moment, felt little or no pain from his wounds, although he had received
no fewer than five-and-twenty, and many of them severe. He subsequently
suffered much from the consequences of this desperate conflict—losing
the motion of the knee, which was the principal seat of the injury. So
desperate, so rapid, and so entire was this attack and conflict, that
the other persons could only gaze and shudder, at the almost inevitable
result; and when they found the unfortunate young man had escaped the
fury of the tiger, and even killed him, they were almost struck dumb
with admiration and astonishment.”
It will now be proper to resume our history, having we hope interested
our young readers by our account of the worthy Mr. Elmer, and his
faithful Alan Thomson, upon their first entrance upon the active duties
of life, but from which, at the period of the commencement of our
history, they had retired to a pleasant villa in the vicinity of a fine
old town, in one of the eastern counties of England, in order to be
near the only daughter of Mr. Elmer, married to a clergyman of the name
of Monson, and residing at a beautiful village only three miles from
the town of C——, and the villa of Mr. Elmer.—But the phaeton is at the
door, and Alan mounted on his docile Jessy, to accompany his master;
therefore, while they travel so pleasantly, we will have a peep at the
rectory before their arrival.
CHAP. III.
“See the fond mother, and her offspring round,
Her soft soul melting with maternal love;
Some to her breast she clasps, and others prove
By kisses her affection. On the ground,
Her ready foot affords a seat for one,
Another smiling sits upon her knee;
By their desiring eyes, and actions free,
And lisping words their little wants are known:
To those she gives a smile, a frown to these,—
But all in love.”
The young and amiable Mrs. Monson fully realized this pleasing picture of
a fond mother. On the morning which thus introduces her and her little
family to our young readers, she had employed the valuable hours of
its prime as usual, in the tender duties of the nursery and the school
room; and the children having fulfilled their appointed tasks to her
satisfaction, she readily yielded to the request of Harry and Joanna, the
two eldest, for permission to amuse themselves on the lawn, upon which
the sun shone gloriously; while she took the three younger to visit an
old lady in the village, whose partiality to children, and her great
kindness to them, made her a general favorite.
The storm of the preceding night had left ample evidences of its power,
among the shrubs and flowers in the borders of the lawn; and the walks
were covered with the leaves of which its violence had bereft some fine
old elms and chesnuts, in an irregular sort of avenue, which formed the
approach to the lawn; while those portions of the garden appropriated to
the children, were of course, as well as every other, in the greatest
disorder, and choked by the drifted leaves. Almost unable to find a
single flower, Harry proposed that Joanna should be his _horse and cart_,
to _make-believe_ being gardener, and _really_ to clear away the leaves
from their little gardens. Joanna hesitated, but was at last persuaded
by the entreaties of Harry, and his promise that she should be gardener
in her turn. He accordingly, with not a little ingenuity, fastened an
old basket to her back, and finding some list in the garden-house,
soon harnessed her in good style, and quickly manufacturing his emblem
of power and command—the whip, proceeded to load his cart with great
energy, though, it must be confessed, rather too heavily for his vehicle,
which was at the point of loosening from its fastenings, when the
well-known sound of grandpapa’s phaeton, and the regular trot of his
ponies, arrested the attention of the _labourers_, and in a moment, the
ever-welcome visitant was seen driving up the avenue. Joanna struggled
to free herself from the trammels, but in vain, they were too skilfully
fastened for her ingenuity and impatience to loosen; and half in tears
at the delay and obstruction, she petitioned “dear Harry” to free her.
Harry, however, although equally desirous, found it not quite so easy
as he expected, and Mr. Elmer had arrived at the gate before Joanna’s
liberation was effected. “How now, my young despot,” exclaimed Mr. Elmer
good humouredly, “what, exercising your power over the weak thus early?”
“Oh grandpapa,” replied Harry, still busy in untying knots, “it is only
make-believe,—Joanna was soon going to drive me about.” “Pray take this
piece off my arm, Harry,” entreated Joanna, as she made her arm red
in her attempt to slide from it a piece of rough list, tied with no
_gentle knot_, and in the attempt pushing off her bonnet, and disclosing
her animated countenance, glowing with exercise and impatience. Alan
quickly however lent his assistance, and Harry dashing off his cap,
and shaking his dark locks from the perspiration which burst from his
forehead, declared that Joanna trotted as well as grandpapa’s ponies,
and only wanted a little practice to be just the thing to get his hand
in to drive _them_. “Upon my word, sir, you have appointed your sister
to an honourable post; but as she seems to have been sufficiently
_practised_ this morning, what say you to a ride with me;—will you, my
young Phaeton, condescend to be driven by your old grandfather?” “Dear
grandpapa, you know what a treat it is always to me, and may not dear
Joanna go too?” “Certainly, and Ellen too if she likes it; I am come
for you to dine with me to-day; but these hands must be washed, jacket
brushed, locks arranged, and stockings made tight, or it will certainly
be thought I have picked up a gipsy, particularly if Joanna keeps her
bonnet hanging behind her, as it now does.” “Oh! we will be ready in a
minute, grandpapa; but, dear me, Ellen is gone out with mamma!” “Well, I
will wait a little while for you all, for look here (spreading out the
bill of the menagerie) I am going to place you all amongst these animals;
you look a little like an ourang-outang, Harry, and Joanna reminded me
when her arms were so pinioned, of the kangaroo with its short fore
feet.” “Oh dear grandpapa, how droll you are,—but I declare there is
an elephant, what is there a real one to be seen? and are you going to
take us to see it? Oh how good you are. Joanna dear, you wont be afraid,
will you?” “No, Harry, that I shall not, for I am sure grandpapa would
not take us any where to hurt or frighten us; but I shall like very
much to see an elephant; Mamma told me her beautiful fan was made of
ivory,—so the elephant’s teeth are called.” “It is a very large animal,
is it not grandpapa?” inquired Harry. “Yes, my dear, very large and
very wonderful, as well as useful.” “I suppose it is taller than you,
grandpapa?” “Rather,” replied Mr. Elmer, with a significant smile, amused
at the artless estimate of Harry, and anticipating with pleasure the
astonishment of the children, when they should behold the magnitude of
the animal. While some further conversation passed, and the children were
dressing for their jaunt, Mrs. Monson returned. Of course, an interchange
of kisses, embraces, blessings, &c. took place; but at length Mr. Elmer
placed himself, with gratified affection, in his little vehicle, with
his juvenile companions, and they merrily proceeded on their way to C——,
asking a thousand questions about what they were going to see. Having
arrived at Rose Mount, they alighted, and proceeded on foot to C——. The
amusement they enjoyed there, will be found recounted in the following
chapter.
CHAP. IV.
“These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,
Almighty!——these declare
Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine!”
The cheerful activity of Alan Thomson, bearing his little favorite Ellen
in his arms, one of her fat little arms encircling his neck; the mild
and venerable demeanour of Mr. Elmer; and the engaging innocence of
the children, each holding a hand of their indulgent grandpapa, seemed
irresistibly to actuate the several individuals who formed the crowd
surrounding the caravans composing the menagerie; for they readily gave
way, that the little group might easily pass to the entrance, while
the woman who took the admittance-money, exclaimed “God bless the sweet
dears,” and in a tone of respect said to Mr. Elmer as he passed, “take
care, Sir, I am afraid you will find the steps very slippery:” thanking
her for the caution, he passed into the enclosure.
The first object that met the astonished view of the children, was
the elephant. Its height was nearly eleven feet, appearing to their
unpractised eyes, a moving mountain. Ellen, with a sensation of fearful
surprise, clung to the arm of Alan, who feeling the pressure kissed her,
and told her not to be afraid, for that great animal was as gentle as
her own little pet lamb, and loved children dearly; “I have seen one,”
he added, “that used to rock a little baby like your brother Charles
to sleep in its cradle.” Ellen, thus encouraged, ventured to look at it
again, and her fear began to subside; yet when she saw the animal, by
the command of the keeper, lift a pail full of water from the ground
with its proboscis, and pour it into its mouth as into a vessel, she
was too much astonished to speak. “I see by its spotted skin this is
a Ceylonese,” said Mr. Elmer to the keeper; “they are not so handsome
as the white elephants, but they are larger and stronger, and with
qualities I believe equally wonderful, and useful to man.” “Yes, your
honour, this noble animal is from Ceylon [_Note 1._]; it was given to a
British officer by the king of Candy, and truly he was a royal present,
for his mildness, sagacity, and docility are most wonderful. Poor
fellow,” he added, caressing the elephant, “he not only obeys, but he
anticipates all I would have him do, he understands all my signs, he
never mistakes my voice, knows perfectly well when I am angry or pleased,
listens to what I tell him with attention, and never fails to execute my
commands.” “I readily believe it,” replied Mr. Elmer, “for such are the
general characteristics of this valuable quadruped.” “Will not the young
gentleman like to see how we ride and manage them,” inquired the man,
evidently pleased with his affable and intelligent visitor. “Certainly,
and the young ladies too,” said Mr. Elmer good temperedly, as he turned
to three or four neatly dressed girls just entering the area.
The keeper then made a sign to the elephant (which might in a moment
have annihilated the whole party by the exercise of the power with which
Providence had invested him, had it not also with restraining wisdom,
rendered it subservient to the will of man), when it folded its flexible
proboscis gently but firmly round the body of the keeper, and lifted
him upon his back; here he sat a few moments, and then removed to the
animal’s neck with a little pointed iron rod, intended by pricking the
ears of the elephant to guide and urge him on; but this was very seldom
necessary, even generally speaking, as these sagacious animals are so
docile and so much attached to their keepers that words and caresses are
quite sufficient, seldom or ever being refractory unless insulted with
improper or cruel chastisement; bending their knees for the accommodation
of those who mount them, and moving steadily on with a gravity suitable
to their immense bulk. “I should be rather afraid, grandpapa,” said
Harry, “to ride upon an elephant, because he could so easily take me off
with his trunk.” “Why indeed, my boy, were it not for the confidence
which the docility and strong affection of these immense and powerful
animals produce in those accustomed to attend and use them, the fear
might be very just; but the admirable qualities they possess, effectually
dissipate all apprehension in the breasts of those who have the care
of them, so strong is the attachment they have for their _cornacs_ or
keepers, that there are instances in which they are stated to have
died of sorrow, when, irritated by ill treatment, or other causes,
they have in a paroxysm of rage killed their guide. These instances of
ungovernable fury are very rare, nor do I remember to have myself felt
any apprehensions, although I have taken many long journeys on noble
elephants: one particularly I remember, whose sagacity, docility, and
affection could not be exceeded; if I wished to stop to enjoy and sketch
a beautiful prospect, he would remain immoveable until I wished to go
forward. If I desired the ripe and delicious mangoes, growing out of
the reach of myself or my attendants, he would select the most fruitful
branch, and breaking it off with his trunk, offer it to the driver for
the refreshment of myself and companions in the houdah, accepting any
part we might give to himself with a respectful salam or salute, viz.
by raising his trunk three times above his head in the mode of oriental
obeisance, expressing at the same time his thankfulness by a murmuring
noise. When a bough obstructed the houdah, he twisted his trunk around
it, breaking it off with ease, even if of considerable magnitude, and not
unfrequently gathering a leafy branch either to keep off the flies, or as
a fan to agitate the air around him, by waving it with his trunk. When
we had pitched our tents on any spot, he generally paid us a visit at the
tent door during breakfast to procure sugar-candy, or fruit, and seemed
delighted and cheered by the encomiums and caresses he deservedly met
with; indeed no spaniel could be more innocently playful, or fonder of
those who noticed him than this truly valuable and wonderful animal, who
on particular occasions appeared even conscious of his exaltation above
the brute creation.”
This anecdote seemed highly to interest all the visitants present, for
they approached during the relation, nearer and nearer to the nice old
gentleman who had travelled on the back of an elephant, seeming to regard
him with nearly as much admiration and astonishment as they did the
animal itself.
A decent man in the group, who appeared particularly struck with the
account of Mr. Elmer, was not a little alarmed, however, when the
elephant, reaching over the heads of several persons, put his proboscis
to the pocket of the man, who afraid to move, looked with a terrified
aspect to the keeper, but seemed unable to speak. “You probably, Sir,
have fruit in your pocket,” observed the keeper, “which his quick and
accurate sense of smell has discovered: do not be alarmed.” A word to
the elephant caused him to remove his intrusive proboscis, and the man
produced three or four apples, which he now (not however entirely
divested of alarm) presented to the unceremonious animal, who took them
mildly from his hand, making a low sort of murmur, as of satisfaction.
“They must eat a great deal, grandpapa;” said Joanna softly, as she
watched the elephant eating the apples, “what do they eat?” “Their food
is entirely vegetable, my dear; the young shoots of trees, different
sorts of grain, and fruits of various kinds abounding in the East, from
whence they come. Sometimes they do a great deal of mischief by breaking
into the plantations, not only ravaging every thing they find, but by
trampling the ground with their large and heavy feet: they generally
also herd together in large numbers, marching in troops, the oldest
leading the way, and the mothers taking the young ones firmly embraced
in their trunks.” “But what do the poor elephants do, grandpapa, who are
caught and shut up like this; they cannot have nice tender branches of
trees to eat?” “When tamed and used for labour, my dear, they require a
great deal of care, and a large quantity of food, and that of the best
quality, with much rice, both raw and prepared. I once had one who to
keep himself in full vigour, required daily a hundred pounds weight of
this food, besides fresh herbage to cool him, for they are very subject
to be overheated, and must, in those hot countries, be conducted to the
water several times in the day for the purpose of bathing. It is curious
to observe how they refresh themselves: sucking up the water in the
trunk, they carry it to the mouth, drink a part of it, then elevating
the trunk, allow the remainder to run over every part of their body.”
“What is the quantity and quality of the food this elephant consumes?”
inquired Mr. Elmer of the keeper. “He is usually, Sir, fed with hay and
straw, but he generally seems to prefer the latter; the quantity he takes
I cannot exactly ascertain, as he scatters much that is given him for
food, and also eats a great deal of the straw with which he is littered.
He eats with great avidity bread, boiled potatoes, and other vegetables;
I allow him nine pails of water, given at three different times in the
day. He is extremely fond of beer and all kinds of spirituous liquors.”
“Yes,” replied Mr. Elmer, “I have seen them take arrack in the East
Indies, and it is customary if they shew any repugnance to what may be
exacted of them, for the cornac or conductor to promise them arrack or
other spirit. It is very dangerous, however, to neglect any promise made
to them; many have fallen victims to this indiscretion: for although
nothing can provoke an elephant to hurt those who never injured him, yet
he remembers, and never fails to revenge an offence, if he has power.”
“He will not only do this, Sir,” said the keeper, “but he will obey the
command of his cornac desirous of terrifying any one; when told to do
so, he will run at the person with great apparent fury, and you may well
believe effectually terrifies the object of his attack; but when he gives
himself up for lost, the elephant stops short and does him no injury.
Should the master chuse to affront any one, he tells his elephant, who
quickly collects mud and water in his trunk, and squirts it upon the
person pointed out to him.” The keeper now ordered the huge animal to lie
down: it instantly obeyed, and the spectators were then invited to view
the texture of his skin, to examine its ears, its trunk, and its tusks.
They remarked the smallness of its eyes, the large and pendulous ears,
the great head, the ponderous body, the arched back, the short and thick
legs, and the extreme awkwardness of its appearance altogether; and were
thence led to acknowledge, that it is very wrong to judge of the value
of any thing by mere externals; but they were never weary in admiring
the wise, the wonderful, the admirable structure of the proboscis, and
agreed it was justly considered as one of the miracles of nature. They
were directed by Mr. Elmer, to observe, that this wonderful organ is
composed of an infinite number of flexible rings, and consists of a
double tube with a somewhat flattened circular tip, furnished with a
projecting point, which may not inaptly be called a finger, possessed of
extreme sensibility, and with which it can take up the smallest object.
The trunk, formed with this astonishing pliability, turns with ease in
every direction, performing the office of a hand and arm: and such is its
strength, that it is capable of breaking off long and large branches from
the trees, and to lift immense weights.
“How thick and coarse the skin looks, grandpapa,” said Harry; “it looks
as if nothing could penetrate it.” “Some parts of it are however, my
dear, extremely sensible, and in those parts the poor animal feels the
stinging of the flies so painfully that he not only employs the usual
instinctive motions to free himself from their attacks, but it would seem
the resources of that intelligence with which Providence has endowed him.
He strikes them with his tail, his ears and his trunk: he also contracts
his skin, and crushes his tormentors between the wrinkles. He drives them
off with the branch of a tree, or bundles of long straw; and when all
these ingenious artifices fail, he collects a great quantity of dust in
his trunk, and covers all the most tender parts of his skin with it. He
will thus dust himself several times in a day, and always sagaciously
chuses the most effectual period; that is, after bathing.”
“Grandpapa,” whispered Joanna, “you said you travelled many journies
on an elephant; you did not ride on the neck as the man did, surely?”
“No, my dear, the driver, or cornac as he is styled, rides on the neck,
the traveller beneath a sort of awning or tent placed on the back of
the animal. The great princes of India allow five men and a boy to each
elephant; the chief of these rides upon the neck to guide him, another
sits upon the rump when engaged in war, the rest supply him with food and
water, and perform the necessary services.
“Elephants indeed, either in peace or war, are more obedient to command
than many rational beings. It is stated also, that upon an emergency they
can travel two hundred miles in forty-eight hours, and will hold out for
a month at the rate of forty or fifty miles a day, with cheerfulness and
alacrity; but, my dear children, we must conclude our anecdotes of the
elephant, at home I believe, we have made this fine animal a very long
visit, and must therefore defer till another day the view of the others
worthy attention.” Mr. Elmer having given the keeper a handsome gratuity
for his patience and civility, the children thanking him also, they
retired to make way for a number of persons, urged by the same laudable
curiosity to see the stupendous animal.
CHAP. V.
“Curiosity is one of the strongest and the most lasting
appetites implanted in us, and admiration one of our most
pleasing passions.”
ADDISON.
The moment of egress from the menagerie seemed to unlock the generally
loquacious tongue of little Ellen; a thousand questions were now asked
of her good-tempered bearer, respecting the elephants; nor was Mr. Elmer
uncalled upon to relate what he had seen of their wonderful qualities,
during his residence in Hindostan, “We will now enjoy our walk, my dear
children,” he observed, “and when we have dined I will endeavour to
recollect all I have seen of the habits and usefulness of these sagacious
animals.” “Well grandpapa,” said Harry, “I little thought when I got up
this morning that I should see such a great creature, and be so very much
entertained as I have been, I hope when I am a man I shall go to India
and ride on the back of an elephant. I think I should make them very
fond of me, for I would be sure to caress and encourage them, and never
promise any thing I did not remember to perform.”
“That is (I suppose, my dear, you mean to say) you would remember to
perform what you promised?” “Yes, grandpapa, that is what I mean; dear
me! if the elephant could but speak, he would have expressed himself
better than me, stupid boy. There, Joanna! look at that bullock in the
field, we should call that a great creature, but it seems like a kitten
now, or at most a dog compared to the elephant. I wonder what you and
I looked like to the elephant: had he eat any thing except grain and
fruit, I should have been afraid to have gone near him, he might have
swallowed us up in a moment.” “Thus, my dear boy,” remarked Mr. Elmer,
“we find every object in the creation impressed with the characters of
infinite wisdom, beneficence, and perfection of its great author. Had the
elephant been as ferocious as he is powerful, how dreadful the ravages
he might commit, how fearful to be the subject of his violence; but
with dispositions gentle, and of social habits, they range in solitary
grandeur the vast solitudes of the torrid zone, and when ensnared by the
power and art of man, to whom all are made subject, they are very soon
tamed and rendered the most useful and effective servants of the being to
whom supremacy is given.” “You will tell us after dinner, how they are
caught and tamed, won’t you grandpapa;” asked Joanna. “Yes, my dear,
certainly, I will describe to you what I myself was a witness of when I
was very young, and I assure you I enjoyed the sport highly.”
They had now arrived at the villa, and were not sorry to find dinner
ready for them; indeed, it had waited some time, so that Mary’s pudding
was not quite so light as she wished. “Hey day!” said Mr. Elmer, as
he cut it, “I question if the elephant could not have compounded a
better pudding.” The children, however, were hungry, and the pudding
quickly disappeared. “Hey day!” said grandpapa laughing, “I question
if the elephant would have despatched it quicker.” The cloth removed,
the little glasses filled, and papa’s and mamma’s health with dear
grandpapa’s duly drank, and the fruit enjoyed, Harry sidled to his
grandpapa—“I hope I shall not be too troublesome, but I long to hear
how they catch the elephants.” “Ah so do I,” added Joanna, and Ellen
(climbing on his knee) kissed his cheek as if to bribe him to comply with
the wish of Harry.
“Ah, you are all irresistible petitioners,” said the kind old man, while
a tear of genuine feeling trembled in his mild eye, and placing Harry
between his knees, and a girl upon each of them, he prepared to gratify
them. “I have told you, my children, that the elephants generally herd
together; these herds consist of from forty to a hundred, and when
discovered, about five hundred people are employed to surround them.
They are driven by the means of fires placed on moveable pedestals,
and by great noises to the spot where they are to be secured. This
place consists of three different enclosures, communicating with each
other by the means of narrow openings or gate-ways. When the elephants
first arrive at the gates and palisadoes, great difficulty is found
to make them enter; the leader’s sagacity always making him suspect
some snare: but when once he is made to pass, the rest follow without
hesitation. Reach me that sheet of paper, Alan,” said Mr. Elmer, as the
old man entered the room. “There now, Harry, look here, there are the
enclosures; (marking the paper with his pencil) now you see we have the
elephants in this: do you understand?” “Oh yes, grandpapa.” “Well, they
have passed this gate-way. Immediately fires are stationed round the
greatest part of the enclosure, particularly at and near the entrances,
to prevent the elephants from returning. A terrible shouting and noise
is made by the hunters, beating of drums called tom-toms, firing blank
cartridges, to urge the elephants into the next enclosure. They, thus
finding themselves entrapped, scream dreadfully, and discovering no
opening but the entrance into the next enclosure, they after traversing
repeatedly their present situation, following their leader, at length
enter the second enclosure, which is smaller than the first. The gate
is instantly closed upon them, the same process of fires, shouts,
&c. force them to pass into the last enclosure. Being now completely
surrounded, and finding no outlet, the poor ensnared animals become
desperate, frequently advancing furiously to the surrounding ditch to
break down the palisade, screaming aloud, and swelling their trunks; but
wherever they attempt an attack, they are repelled by the noise of the
hunters and opposed by the fires. The ditch is then filled with water,
and the fatigued elephants have very soon recourse to it in order to
cool themselves, and to quench the thirst produced by their exertions
and fury. Having continued in this situation for a few days, during
which they are scantily fed from a scaffold on the outside, the door
of an outlet about sixty feet long and very narrow is opened, and one
of the elephants is induced to enter by having food thrown before it.
When advanced far enough, the gate is closed upon him, when finding his
retreat cut off, and that he cannot turn himself, he advances furiously,
endeavouring to break the bars in front of him. He even rises up in his
rage and leaps upon the bars with his fore feet; thus he continues his
efforts to obtain liberty, until he becomes exhausted; ropes are then by
degrees carefully passed round him, and he is secured. Sometimes instead
of being enticed into the _Roomee_ or narrow passage, they are taken by
the aid of tamed elephants, who engage the attention of the wild ones,
while they are secured by ropes. The elephants being thus ensnared are
separated, and each placed under the care of a keeper appointed to attend
and instruct him. This principal attendant, has three or four subordinate
assistants, who supply the elephant with his food and water, until he
is sufficiently tamed to feed himself. To effect this, a variety of
methods are resorted to, soothing and caressing, sometimes threatenings
and even goading with a long stick pointed with iron; but more generally
the keeper flatters and coaxes him, scratching his head and trunk with a
long bamboo split at one end into several pieces, and driving away the
flies from his sores and bruises, produced by his desperate struggles for
liberty. He also is very attentive to keep him cool, by squirting water
frequently all over him, taking care to keep out of the reach of his
trunk.
“In a few days he even advances cautiously to his side, speaks to him
soothingly, pats him, and strokes him with his hand, and in a very
little while he conciliates the immense animal, who knows him and obeys
his commands. The keeper now becomes more familiar, ventures to mount
him from the back of a tame elephant, and thus gradually increasing in
intimacy, he is at last permitted to seat himself upon the neck, from
which place he is to regulate and direct the motions of the subdued
animal. While they are training in this manner the tame elephants lead
the others out alternately for exercise, and likewise to ease their legs
from the cords, with which they are tied, and which gall them dreadfully,
unless frequently slackened and shifted.
“In about five or six weeks the elephant becomes obedient to his keeper,
his fetters are then removed by degrees, and generally in about six
months he suffers himself to be conducted from one place to another. In
some parts of the East these huge animals are taken by means of pitfalls.
Through the forest several paths are cut, in these are dug deep and large
holes, which are carefully concealed by being covered over with branches
and loose earth. The elephants in passing over, of course fall into the
pit, the hunters secure them while in this helpless state, and dragging
them out, tame them in the following manner. The elephant is placed
between two tame ones; they are surrounded by men, each holding a pike
with a lighted torch at the end of it, who talk to the animal and call
out to him as they offer him meat, ‘take it, take it, take it.’
“The wild elephants refusing obedience, signs are made to the tame ones
to beat him, which they immediately do by giving him desperate blows on
the head with their trunk, and if the poor beast offers any resistance,
the blows are repeated till exhausted he at length is rendered obedient,
and appears to become perfectly reconciled to his fate. It is worthy of
observation, that although this noble animal uses his utmost force to
disengage himself when ensnared, and would certainly kill any one coming
within his reach, yet he seldom or never attempts to hurt those tame
elephants that have aided in ensnaring him; but on the contrary, seems
as often as they are brought near, in order to adjust his harnessing,
or move or slacken the ropes that gall him, to be pleased, soothed, and
consoled by them, as it were, for the loss of his liberty.”
“Thank you grandpapa,” said the gratified Harry, “I shall certainly never
forget how the elephant is snared, but I think I am not ambitious to
be an elephant hunter.” “You would not then like to be an Abyssinian
elephant hunter?” “Why, grandpapa?” “Because of the great danger and
skill required.” “Did you ever see them, grandpapa?” “No, my dear, but
an enterprising traveller has given us an account of the mode in very
lively colouring.” “Perhaps you can remember it so as to tell us, dear
grandpapa?” “I will try, my boy.—Mr. Bruce tells us that the persons
employed in this dangerous service live constantly in the woods,
subsisting upon the flesh of the animals they kill. They are exceedingly
thin, light, and agile, both on foot and on horse-back. They are called
Agageers, a name derived from the one descriptive of their mode of
destroying the great animals, such as the elephant and rhinoceros;
_Agar_ signifying to hough or hamstring with a sharp weapon, or, more
properly, cutting the tendon of the heel. To effect this, two men quite
naked, to prevent their being caught by the trees and bushes, in making
their escape from their watchful enemy, get on horse-back. One of them
sits on the back of the horse, sometimes with a saddle, sometimes
without one: with only a short stick in one hand, carefully managing the
bridle with the other: behind him sits his companion, armed only with a
broadsword——but hold, I recollect I have a drawing of the group. Harry
boy, ring the bell, Alan shall bring my port-feuille.” “Ah, that will be
delightful Harry,” exclaimed Joanna, who had a fine taste for drawing and
delighted to look at them. Alan appeared, received his directions where
to find the port-feuille, and in a few minutes it was opened before the
delighted children; indeed its contents were well calculated to gratify
the most refined taste, and to excite the admiration of the practised
delineator of nature’s beauties and wonders.
The descriptive drawing of the Agageers and elephant was soon found.
“Here, Harry,” said Mr. Elmer, as pleased as his juvenile companions,
“here they are. The left hand of his Agageer is employed you see, in
grasping the sword by the handle; about a foot or fourteen inches of the
blade of which is covered with whipcord. This part he takes in his right
hand without any danger of being hurt by it, and though the edges of the
lower part of the sword are as sharp as a razor, he carries it without a
scabbard.
“As soon as an elephant is found feeding as here delineated, the horseman
rides before him as near his face as possible, or if he tries to escape,
crosses him in all directions, calling out, I am such a one, and such a
one, this is my horse, that has such a name, I killed your father in such
a place, and your grandfather in such another place, and I am now come
to kill you, who are nothing in comparison with them. This nonsense he
thinks the elephant perfectly understands; who irritated at hearing the
noise so immediately before him, attempts to seize him by his trunk.”
“Oh, grandpapa, how frightful!” exclaimed Joanna involuntarily. Mr.
Elmer smiled, kissed her forehead, and proceeded: “the elephant intent
upon this, follows the horse every where, turning round and round with
him, neglecting to make his escape by going straight forward, in which
consists his only safety. After having made him thus turn several times
in pursuit of the horse, the horseman rides up close beside of him, and
drops his companion just behind on the off side; and while he engages the
elephant’s attention upon the horse, the other behind him gives him a
drawn stroke just above the heel, into what in man is called the tendon
of Achilles. This is the critical moment—don’t your heart beat, Harry?”
“That it does, grandpapa, pit a pat, pit a pat.” “Well, the horseman
instantly wheels round, again takes his companion up behind him, and
rides off full speed after the rest of the herd, if they have started
more than one; and sometimes an expert Agageer will kill three out of
one herd. If the sword is good and the man not too timid, the tendon is
generally separated entirely, and if not quite cut through, is so far
divided that the animal from the stress his weight puts upon it, breaks
the remaining part asunder.” “Ah! poor thing, how much it must suffer,”
said Joanna. “It must, indeed, my dear, for in either case he remains
quite incapable of advancing a step, till the horseman returning, or his
companions coming up, he is pierced through with javelins and lances, by
which he falls to the ground, and expires from loss of blood. Here is
another drawing descriptive of this closing scene. The elephant being
thus slain, they cut his flesh into slips or thongs, and hang them
upon the branches of the trees till they become dry, without salt, and
then lay them by for their provision in the rainy season.” “Dear me,
grandpapa, what bad food they must be. I am sure I must be very hungry
indeed to relish such a strange dish.” “Yes, my boy, hunger is admirable
sauce. I don’t know but it would make you even relish very highly the
pretty dirty list bridle you so cleverly put on Joanna this morning.”
“Oh, grandpapa! no, I never could eat that to be sure, it was so rough it
would choke me.” “Well, well, I hope you will never be reduced to such
necessity; what say you, my pet?” (to Ellen.) “No, grandpa, I like little
chicken, not dried elephant for my dinner.” “That is very lucky, my dear,
because we could not conveniently have the one, and my poultry-yard is
very well filled. Yet, my dear, we are informed by a lively traveller,
that the feet of the elephant roasted are a delicious morsel, as well as
the shins; and I can readily imagine it, from the pure nature of their
food, and the extreme cleanliness of their habits.”
“Have you any more drawings of the elephant, grandpapa?” inquired Joanna.
“I dare say there are among these, my dear; we will look through them.”
“O yes, here is one,” resumed the eager and delighted girl. “Do not
touch, Ellen; you know mamma always tells you, little girls should not
touch any thing that is shown them, especially such beautiful drawings.”
Ellen withdrew her finger at this remonstrance of her sister, and
quietly looked on. “I remember the occasion upon which this drawing was
taken,” said Mr. Elmer. “Elephants are kept in many parts of India more
for show and grandeur than use, although I shall relate to you many
instances in which I have seen them eminently useful. Their keeping
is attended with very great expense, as they devour a vast quantity of
the best provisions, and are sometimes regaled with a plentiful repast
of cinnamon, of which they are exceedingly fond. When the King of Pegu
walks abroad, he is preceded by four stately white elephants, adorned
with sumptuous trappings, covered with precious stones, and ornaments of
gold; and when he gives audience, these four elephants are presented to
him, who do him reverence by raising their trunks, and uttering three
distinct cries, while kneeling before him. This ceremony ended, they are
conducted back to their apartment, where each is fed from large golden
vessels. They are also washed twice a day with water taken from a silver
reservoir. During the time of their being thus refreshed and adorned,
they are under a canopy supported by eight slaves, in order to defend
them from the heat of the sun. In being led to the vessels containing
their food and water, they are preceded by trumpets, and march with great
majesty, as if feeling the elevation conferred upon them by this pomp.
The king of Siam has also 1000 elephants attached to his army.
“This drawing, my children, represents the great mogul, upon an occasion
of his appearing in public, when I had an opportunity of seeing him. No
pomp, magnificence, or luxury can exceed, or indeed be comparable to the
ostentatious brilliancy of this potentate on such occasions. He sits,
as you may perceive by this sketch, upon a throne of gold, glittering
with precious stones: the throne and monarch borne on the back of a
noble elephant, who seems conscious of his burden. The elevation gives
the emperor an air of grandeur, which is extremely impressive to the
beholders, above whom he is so highly exalted in situation as well as
rank; nor can we fail to regard with an eye of indulgence that despotic
pride which is both excited and fostered by the adulation paid to a
mortal. It requires something more than mortal strength, to resist the
fascinations of power and the flatteries of the self-interested, who live
in the sunny beams of royal favour. As the elephant moves slowly and
majestically on, the people fall prostrate before their great and mighty
prince. It is thus by dazzling the eyes of his slaves, and inspiring them
with awe, he supports his despotic authority: his mighty will is the
law. The shield of this splendid despot is thickly studded with diamonds
and rubies; on his head he has a gorgeous turban, ornamented in the same
manner, and round his neck a rich chain of pearls of the most exquisite
beauty. He also you see bears a sword and a beautiful quiver of arrows,
bearing also a staff in his hand richly adorned with drilled or pierced
diamonds, while chains of diamonds and rubies adorn different parts of
his dress. Rich bracelets encompass his arms, just above the wrist and
elbow; and his fingers are covered with costly rings. When he marches at
the head of his troops, he is attended by at least a hundred elephants,
richly caparisoned, and ten or twelve thousand men. In the centre, either
on an elephant or a fine Persian horse, rides the emperor, although he is
said to be at the head of his troops; and when he travels privately into
the country, he is conveyed in a covered sort of chariot drawn by oxen.
When this eastern potentate holds in person a divan, or public court for
the administration of justice, he is seated, as you see in this drawing,
on the musnud, viz. a kind of stage elevated about two feet above the
floor, and covered with a superb cloth, richly embroidered with jewels
and fringed with gold. In the centre of the musnud, you see he is placed
upon a sort of tray, being formed of either gold or silver gilded. He
styles himself the conqueror of the world. His officers surround him, his
courtiers adulate him, and the unfortunate are admitted to petition him.”
“Who is that person, grandpapa, with his head nearly touching the floor,
and without his shoes?” “That is a petitioner, my dear; he is obliged
to leave his slippers outside the entrance, and to advance barefooted
in token of humility. The salute he is making is called _salam_: it is
expressive of his profound veneration. His forehead nearly touching the
ground, he bows himself thus three times before the musnud, and then
presents his petition with a purse of gold,—the one being very useless at
an eastern court without the other. On giving them, he says, with great
humility, ‘Read this my petition, the day will come when all petitions
shall be read.’ If the emperor does not choose to receive the petition,
he frowns and turns away his head; but if favourable, which greatly
depends upon the weight of the purse, he smiles and grants a gracious nod
of approbation.”
Just as Mr. Elmer concluded this explanation of the drawing, which
inimitably displayed the superb costumes of the mogul court, Alan entered
with the tea equipage, informing his master, that he would but just
have time to take tea before the phaeton would be ready, according to
his order, that the children might reach home before it was too late to
hazard their taking cold. An universal exclamation of “surely it cannot
be so late, Alan,” came from the party who had been so amused, that
time had passed unheeded. Even Little Ellen, who would have found it
impossible to have remained so long still any where but on grandpapa’s
knee, could not help saying, she was very sorry it was so late that they
must go home.
“Well, my dears, as my sketch-book has proved so amusing, you must come
and look at it another day, and hear some more anecdotes about the
elephants, and perhaps go to the menagerie again, if it remains at C——.
Now, Harry, let us see if those cakes Mary has made for us, are as good
as the strips of elephant’s flesh.” “This I know, grandpapa,” replied
Harry, “that I will willingly give up to the Agageers the dried flesh,
while Mary is so good as to furnish us with such famous cakes: won’t you
take some, young ladies,” he added, with arch ceremony. Nothing loath,
the young ladies accepted his proffer, and full of innocent glee they
concluded their refreshment; having kissed their dear grandpapa over and
over again, they jumped into the phaeton, and were driven off by Alan,
eagerly anticipating the pleasure of telling their papa and mamma all
they had seen, and the kind invitation of their grandpapa,—which none of
them failed to remember.
Their conversation naturally turned upon what they had heard respecting
the elephant, and they seemed disposed to regard every thing they saw in
reference to it; for instance, they were accompanied by a favorite water
spaniel of their grandfather’s, who in passing a stream seemed highly to
enjoy the swim across, instead of passing the bridge. “Look at Selim,”
said Harry; “now if he was an elephant, he must go over the bridge, for
he could not jump over the stream, and certainly he could not swim.”
“Swim, no, I should think not, indeed, Harry,” said Joanna, laughing;
“an elephant swim, no, no, with all its cleverness and sagacity, it
could not do that to be sure.” “But you are mistaken, my dear,” said
Alan, “for they swim over large rivers with great ease. The form and
weight of the elephant do not indeed seem much adapted to swimming, yet
his trunk enables him to do so. It is true, that when out of his depth
in the water (as Selim now is) his body and head are entirely sunk under
it; yet he is not in danger of being drowned as other land animals, as
he carries his trunk raised above the surface, in order to breathe, and
steers his course also by it. Even when several elephants have been
crossing a river at the same time, they have all found their way very
well, and what is remarkable have never been known to interfere with
each other, although their heads, and of course eyes, have all the time
been under water.”
“Well, you do surprise us, Alan,” said the children, “so you have seen
elephants swim?” “Yes, often, my dears; you remember your grandpapa told
you they formed great herds, or families, in the woods. Now I can assure
you, that when these families remove from place to place, which they
must do for food, the largest elephants put themselves at the head, and
if they arrive at a river, are the first to pass over it. On reaching
the opposite bank, they try if the landing-place is safe; if it is, they
give a signal with their trunk, on which another division of the old
elephants pass over, the younger then follow, holding one another by
locking their trunks together, then the rest of the old ones bring up the
rear.” “Well, I am glad Selim chose to swim over the stream, or we should
not have heard these anecdotes of the elephants from you, Alan, and I
dare say might have still thought it was impossible for them to swim.”
“O, there is papa and mamma on the lawn,” said Ellen, “we shall soon be
at home; what a happy day we have had!”
As they approached the gate, such was the cry—“O what a happy day we
have had! and we are to go again, grandpapa says; and he bid us tell
you, mamma, we have not been troublesome, but have made him very happy.
And he says, you must go, mamma,” added Ellen, “and Charles, when he
is a little older. He says I behave very well now.” “I am glad he has
returned you with a good character, my little pet,” said Mr. Monson, as
he took Ellen in his arms. “Oh papa,” she said, “the elephant is as big
as the hay-stack, but so good-natured, Alan says, it rocked a little
baby to sleep in a cradle.” “Then, you would have no objection to ride
upon one, I suppose.” “Why yes, papa, I don’t think I should like it.”
“But I should,” observed Harry. “Papa, let me go to India, when I am a
little bigger; I shall then travel on elephants, and eat mangoes, and
see the grand mogul all over jewels and gold, with the people bowing
their heads to the ground, while he looks so proud and stately.” “What,
I suppose, you would like to see his majesty weighed, Harry?” “Weighed,
papa! I don’t know what you mean.” “I mean the grand festival, given on
the birth-day of the great mogul, when he is very sumptuously dressed,
and goes to a magnificent pavilion, attended by his nobles. In it are
suspended golden scales, adorned with jewels. Into one of these scales,
the emperor places himself, in order to balance the other, which is
filled with rubies, emeralds, pearls, gold, silver, fine stuffs,
cinnamon, cloves, and other sweet spices; and an exact account is given
of the difference of his weight from the last year: if he weighs more,
the people shout and rejoice; if less, they manifest every token of
concern. The ceremony is concluded with the distribution, from the hands
of the mogul, of golden almonds, and other artificial fruits, formed of
the same precious metal; and to the poor he distributes small pieces of
money.” “That must be a very pretty sight indeed,” observed Joanna, “I
should like to see such a grand prince throwing money to the poor. How
happy the rich must be!” “Say rather, my child, _might be_,” said Mr.
Monson, “did the will always accompany the power; but as this is not
always, nor indeed very often the case, to be content is our wisest as
well as our most virtuous course. We have the gracious assurance that a
willing mind is accepted by Him who bestows upon us every good, and that
a cup of cold water given in his name to those that need it, is an act
well-pleasing to Him, and verily will have its reward. But the evening
closes, and my Ellen gets sleepy; let us go in, and thank God for the
blessings of the day, ere we seek that repose which is to refresh us for
the duties of the morrow, should the Almighty suffer us to see it. An
habitual remembrance, that we depend upon him for life and breath, and
all things, will give additional value to each of these blessings, and
preserve our minds easy and serene. You cannot, my children, be too early
taught that this is the secret of happiness, the only source of true
enjoyment. The prayers of the innocent are acceptable to Him, and their
hearts the sweetest sacrifice that can be offered to his Majesty. Come,
then, my children, we will kneel before Him, and commit ourselves to his
Almighty protection.”
Mr. Monson was the most cheerful of men, and he had found that to
preserve it unclouded in his own breast, as well as have its light
pervade his family, was to cherish a simple unaffected piety, and a
constant sense of the omnipresence of God. “He is about my path and
about my bed, and spiest out all my ways,” was his frequent and emphatic
caution to his children and dependents, and his encouragement when they
had done any thing pleasing to him; thus referring their reward to Him
who seeth in secret. It was his regular custom to assemble his family
morning and evening, convinced not only that it was a homage due to the
Creator and Preserver, but also that such practice was the only thing
that could preserve that beautiful union of ranks forming a family, each
reciprocally depending upon each in their several peculiar departments,
making together the sweet harmony of domestic charities.
Declaring they should dream of the elephant and the great mogul, the
children kissed their parents, and cheerfully retired, not a little
fatigued with the unexpected pleasures of the day.
CHAP. VI.
The chiefest action for a human being
Is never to be out of action. We should think
The soul was never put into the body,
Which has so many rare and curious pieces
Of mathematical motion, to stand still.
The frolic of the preceding day had not rendered the children inattentive
to their lessons, when they arose from their peaceful repose, but on
the contrary the new ideas they had acquired, served but to animate
them to greater acquisitions; and Mr. and Mrs. Monson had just reason
to be pleased with their diligent attention to their several pursuits.
Joanna, who was receiving instruction in drawing from her mamma, felt
more than usual emulation when she recollected the beautiful sketches
of her grandpapa, and wondered if she should ever be able to draw like
him. “Doubtless you will, my love, if you apply, and practise as I wish
you, fully accomplishing one study before you proceed to another: it
is by attempting too much at a time, that so many young people never
obtain a facility in doing any thing properly. Nothing can be effected
without industry, patience, and perseverance; and there are few things,
within the compass of human knowledge, but may be effected with these
assistants. Having been accustomed to use your pencil nearly ever since
you could hold one, I have great hopes that you will obtain that freedom
and facility in its use, without which no one can make an accurate and
pleasing drawing. You have sketched these sheep very well; I suppose I
shall have you trying an elephant soon?” “No, mamma, it is not pretty
enough to induce me to sketch it; but I do like to hear my grandpapa
describe its sagacity and gentleness. I wonder when we shall go to C——
again?” “That seems very uncertain, from the gloomy state of the day,
my dear; but if you are not able to repeat your visit to the elephant,
you have seen enough to give an interest to all you may see or hear
respecting such a wonderful animal; and you know I have always told you,
that cultivating your talents and expanding your mind, by improving
reading and conversation, not only opens to you many sources of
pleasure unknown to the ignorant and the idle, but also gives additional
gratification in viewing any object of taste and curiosity, and not
only this, it prevents the feeling of disappointment becoming painful
when any circumstance prevents the fulfilment of engagements like that
the kindness of your grandpapa made with you: for not depending upon
one species of pleasure alone, a cultivated mind is never at a loss for
employment and subjects of interest.”
Joanna and her brother fully verified this observation of their mamma.
Several days of nearly incessant rain and storm prevented all possibility
of repeating their visit to C——, and when at length the sky cleared,
they saw their grandpapa coming up the avenue, they were so fully engaged
in their different avocations, that they were easily reconciled to the
account he gave them, namely, that discouraged at the state of the
weather, which precluded people going to the menagerie, the proprietor
had left C——; “therefore,” added Mr. Elmer, “we must be content with
what we have seen, and perhaps I may afford you some further amusement,
my children, with this sketch-book Alan found out this morning, as it
contains a great many delineations of Asiatic animals, particularly of
the elephant, employed in the various uses to which its great strength
and sagacity are applied. I am come to pass the day with you, if you
will spare me a piece of pudding; and Mary desires I will distribute
these cakes among you.” This self-invitation gave universal satisfaction.
Every one was most willing to give up their share of pudding to dear
grandpapa, and Mary’s cakes were pronounced most delicious. Ellen had
climbed the envied seat, grandpapa’s knee, and now whispered in his ear
“grandpapa, did the elephant shew Mary how to make the nice cakes?” This
question was asked by an artless child of her grandfather. For Ellen
thought, from their excellence, they must be the handy work of the clever
animal of which she had heard so much. “Indeed, little pet, I am not in
the secret of their composition, but I am very glad they are good, and
please you; I am not come, however, to disturb lessons, we shall have
plenty of time; so now off with you at present, while I go and have a
chat with your papa.” The children without hesitation retired to their
lessons. After an early dinner, the children were invited to grandpapa,
who unfolding his sketch-book resumed his anecdotes of the elephant.
The first drawing exhibited was a view of an Indian camp. The tents were
white except the mogul’s, which was red, and loftier and more superb than
the rest; it was encompassed by an enclosure about ten or twelve feet in
height, and guarded by chosen troops. The officers’ tents encircled the
emperor’s, arranged according to the respective rank they bear in the
army. “The soldiers are attended by their families on these occasions,”
observed Mr. Elmer, as he pointed out several carrying their provisions
on their heads and the vessels for dressing their repast; whilst their
arms were carried by their wives, followed by several children. “In
fact,” said Mr. Elmer, “when this eastern monarch takes the field, there
is a much greater parade of magnificence than there is of proper warlike
spirit. He is attended by his court, his elephants, and almost all the
inhabitants of his capital; for there is in the centre of the camp a
sort of town, wherein are shops and magazines, where trades are carried
on as in a city. But here, children, is what I wish you to observe,
you see those finely caparisoned elephants?” “Yes, grandpapa, and what
have they got upon their backs?” “Those are small towers, containing the
wives of the emperor. Would you like, Joanna, to be shut up in a tower on
the back of an elephant?” “Oh no, indeed, grandpapa.” “Then bless God,
my dear, you are not an Asiatic, but breathe the free air of Britain.”
“Ah, mamma often says she is proud of being an Englishwoman; surely
those poor ladies must be very unhappy. Who takes care of them when they
are riding upon the elephants?”—“They are attended by guards, appointed
for the purpose, my dear; and are not so unhappy as you may suppose,
being accustomed from infancy to confinement, and to be subservient to
the will of their lord. In this part of the camp, you may observe the
elephants who carry the small cannon; they are fired from that situation.
Every rajah, or great officer, as well as the sovereign, rides upon an
elephant; and the eyes of the whole army are fixed upon their prince. If
he fall, it is concluded he must be slain, and the troops all disperse.
Thus frequently they change the fortune of the day, as the result might
be favourable did they possess firmness and proper discipline. Elephants
bred to war, and well disciplined, I have been assured,” added Mr.
Elmer to his attentive auditors, “will stand firm against a volley of
musquetry, and never give way unless severely wounded. I have seen one
of those courageous animals with upwards of thirty bullets in the fleshy
parts of his body, and yet perfectly recovered from his wounds.” “Poor
thing,” said Joanna, “how much it must have suffered; I wonder how they
could do any thing to it, to cure the wounds.”
“Their intelligence is wonderfully displayed on these occasions,” replied
Mr. Elmer, “I had once an opportunity of observing the wonderful patience
and sagacity of an elephant, which had received a desperate flesh wound
from a cannon ball. After having been twice or thrice conducted to the
military hospital, where he patiently extended himself to have the
wound dressed by the surgeon, he would afterwards go thither alone.
The surgeon did whatever he thought necessary, applying sometimes even
fire to the wound, and though the acute pain of this application caused
the poor animal to utter the most plaintive cries and groans, he never
expressed any other tokens than those of gratitude to the surgeon, who
by these momentary torments effected his cure after a considerable lapse
of time. I have also been informed of another instance of the remarkable
sagacity displayed upon a somewhat similar occasion. A young elephant
had in the field of battle received a violent blow in its head, the pain
of which rendered it so frantic and ungovernable, that it was found
impossible to have the part properly dressed: for whenever any one
attempted to approach it, it ran furiously off, suffering no one to come
within several yards of it. The man who had the care of it at length
devised a plan for securing it. By a few signs, he gave the mother of
the animal sufficient intelligence of what was required to relieve the
wound inflicted on the young one. The sensible creature instantly seized
it with her trunk, and held it firmly down, though groaning with agony,
while the surgeon dressed the wound; and this service she continued
to perform till the animal was perfectly recovered. In many parts of
India, also, my dears, as you see in this terrible drawing,” said Mr.
Elmer, as he turned over the leaves of his book, “elephants are made
the executioners of justice, for with their trunks they will break every
limb of the miserable criminals, trample them to death with their feet,
or transfix them with their tusks, as they are directed.” “You mentioned
the eastern monarchs being borne on elephants to the field of war, my
dear sir,” said Mr. Monson, “you doubtless recollect that part of the
apocryphal history of our bible, in which it is stated that the elephants
of Antiochus were provoked to fight by showing them the blood of grapes
and mulberries; and to every elephant they appointed a thousand men,
armed with coats of mail, and five hundred of the best horsemen. These
were ready on every occasion; wherever the beast was, and whithersoever
he went they went also; and upon the elephants were strong towers of
wood, filled with armed men, beside the Indian that ruled them.” “Yes! I
well remember the passage,” replied Mr. Elmer, “and with the recollection
is associated that instance of patriotic self-devotion exhibited in the
action of Eleazer, surnamed Savanar, who perceiving that one of the
elephants, armed with the royal harness, was higher than any of the
others, supposed the king was upon him. He accordingly, it is related,
put himself in jeopardy, to the end he might deliver his people, and get
himself a perpetual name. Wherefore he ran upon him courageously, through
the midst of the battle, slaying on the right hand and on the left,
so that they were divided from him on both sides. Which done, he crept
under the elephant, and thrust him under, and slew him; whereupon the
elephant fell down upon him, and there he died.” A general exclamation
of surprise, not unmingled with horror, at this catastrophe, was made by
the children, “And was the king killed, too, grandpapa?” “No, my dear;
for it is stated, the rest of the Jews seeing the strength (or power) of
the king, and the violence of his forces, turned away from them. Thus by
not following up the bravery of Eleazer, they defeated the sacrifice he
had made of his own life.” “Look here, Ellen,” said Joanna, as she drew
her attention to a drawing Mr. Elmer displayed, “here is a pretty little
child; grandpapa will explain why it is so near that great elephant.” “I
will so, my dear,” said Mr. Elmer, as he placed Ellen so as she might
easily look at the sketch. “The elephants that are trained to carry the
luggage of the armies in India, are each under the care of a native
Indian; and in an instance of this kind here sketched, the keeper and
his wife went, as was their practice, into the woods to collect leaves
and shoots of trees for his food, having fixed him to the ground by a
length of chain, and leaving their little child (unable to walk) under
the protection of the sagacious animal, who not only always defended it,
but as it crept about, would, when it arrived near the extremity of the
chain, wrap his trunk gently round its body, and place it again in the
centre of his circle.” Ellen shrunk at the idea of being lifted up by an
elephant. “They say,” observed Mr. Monson, “that in crossing the north
bridge at C—— yesterday morning, the caravan containing the elephant was
racked so much, it was feared the whole would have been precipitated into
the river. This account reminded me of a circumstance which occurred
when I was in Holland. Two elephants on their arrival in Holland, as
presents to the stadtholder, were conveyed in a vessel up the river Waal
to Nimeguen, whence they were driven on foot to Loo. The attendants had
the greatest difficulty in inducing them to cross the bridge at Arnheim.
The animals had fasted several days, it was therefore thought certain
that placing food on the opposite side of the bridge would induce them
to pass it. Still, however, some time elapsed before they would venture
themselves upon it; and even at last they did not take a step without
first examining the planks to see that they were firm. During the time
they were at Loo, they were so tame as to be suffered to range at
liberty. They would sometimes come even into the banqueting-room, when
the company were assembled to dinner, and receive fruit from different
individuals of the party. After the conquest of Holland, in consequence
of the cruelty of many persons who crowded to see them, they lost much
of their gentleness. They were subsequently conveyed to Paris, where
they are confined in cages and are even become almost ferocious towards
spectators. They are not suffered to range at liberty, but are kept in an
enclosure sufficiently large to allow them some exercise. This enclosure
contains their den and a pond or reservoir, in which during summer they
frequently bathe and refresh themselves.
“Here are two drawings,” said Mr. Elmer, “representing the elephant
engaged in useful labour. I was induced to sketch the scenes from the
novelty of them to an European eye, and also as displaying the importance
of these animals in a country, the enervating heat of which renders
manual labour so distressing. To give an idea of the labour an elephant
performs, it may be sufficient to remark that all the heavy packages,
sacks, bales, casks, &c. transported from one place to another in India,
are carried by elephants, which bear their burdens on their backs, their
necks, and their tusks; and even their mouths are employed, by giving
them the end of a rope, which they hold fast with their teeth. Uniting
their wonderful sagacity with their strength, they are never known to
injure or to break any thing committed to their charge. From the banks
of the rivers, they put the packages into boats, without wetting them,
laying them down in the gentlest manner and arranging them as they ought
to be placed, and when disposed in the places their masters direct, they
will try with their trunks whether the goods are firmly and properly
stowed, and if they find a tun or cask unsteady and likely to roll, they
will actually go of their own accord in quest of stones to prop and
steady it. A gentleman of my acquaintance was a spectator of the scene
described in this drawing. You see that ship building?” “Yes, grandpapa.”
“Well, the river here represented is a very fine one, called the Mandova,
upon the banks of which is the Portugueze settlement or city, called Goa,
built on an island of the same name, divided from the continent by this
river Mandova. You see on this side a large area, filled with timber in
preparation for ship building? At the time my friend visited the place
some men had tied the ends of a heavy beam with a rope, which was handed
to an elephant, who carried it to his mouth, and after twisting it round
his trunk drew the beam without any conductor to the place where the ship
was building. One of the elephants employed, sometimes drew beams so
large and heavy that more than twenty men would have been necessary to
move them. Judge then how valuable the services of the elephant must be.
But what excited particularly the admiration of this gentleman was, that
when other beams obstructed the road, the elephant elevated the ends of
the one he was conveying, that it might easily run over such as laid in
the way.” “That is indeed a wonderful instance of intelligence,” remarked
Mr. Monson, “and justly entitles the noble animal to be styled ‘half
reasoning.’”
“Here is another war scene, Harry,” said Mr. Elmer, again displaying his
drawing. “You perceive how this elephant is employed?” “Yes, he seems
pushing something up a high mountain.” “It is a piece of artillery,”
remarked Mr. Elmer, “his sagacity is very apparent in this service.
While the oxen, which you see are yoked to the cannon, make an effort
to pull it up the declivity, the elephant pushes the breech with his
trunk, and at each effort supports the carriage with his knee, which
he places against the wheel. He seems to understand whatever is said to
him, and to take the best means to effect the purpose desired. When his
conductor wants him to execute any painful labour, or difficult task, he
has only to explain the nature of it, and recite the reasons which should
induce him to obey. If this is done gently and encouragingly, success
is almost certain; for they have been known so docile, as to sacrifice
their lives to their exertions, rather than incur the displeasure or
contempt of their master. I was told a remarkable instance of this.
They were formerly used in India in the launching of ships; an elephant
was employed to force a very large vessel into the water, but the work
proved superior to his strength. His master, in a tone of sarcasm,
desired the keeper to remove ‘that lazy beast, and bring another.’ The
poor animal instantly renewed his efforts, fractured his skull, and
died on the spot.” “I am not sorry for his cruel master,” said Harry
indignantly, “he did not deserve to have such a noble beast. I dare say
he was sorry enough when the poor thing dropped down dead.”
“It is indeed basely cruel to tax the strength of any dumb animal beyond
its powers,” replied Mr. E.—“too many instances of this barbarity daily
occur to our observation: even this morning, as I was coming hither,
I met a man with a poor half-starved ass, on which he had placed two
immense trusses of hay and a sack of potatoes, with two boys seated
thereon nearly as big as the animal, each of them bearing a large basket
of turnips, and a huge stick with which they beat about the poor animal’s
head; while the brute who followed with a similar sort of bludgeon,
incessantly urged his poor slave on by beating it behind.” “These
instances of wanton cruelty, are indeed a disgrace to the lower orders of
our civilized land,” said Mr. Monson, “which nothing but the universal
dissemination of the compassionate doctrines of our religion can correct;
and it is some consolation to find, that the individuals we observe
guilty of these despotic acts of barbarity are generally ignorant of
the principles of religion. Melancholy as this reflection is, that men
_will_ remain in darkness while light is beaming on all sides, yet so it
is; and we have still to lament that numberless are the human beings who
know not or consider not that they will have to answer for every abuse
of the power given them over the inferior creation. Ever recollect, my
children,” added Mr. Monson impressively, “that the thoughtless cruelty
which we are now so frequently pained to witness towards the inferior
orders of created beings, would not disgrace any having the impress of
man, did they but know God and study his attributes. To you who do, I
trust I need not add, that as every creature is formed with a capability
of enjoyment, to deprive it of that right is an offence against Him who
created nothing in vain.” As Mr. Monson thought it was the most effectual
as well as the most valuable mode of education, to draw moral inferences
from passing circumstances, such reflections as the above were very
frequent in his familiar intercourse with his children, who so far from
considering them sermonizing, naturally desired his remarks, and were
grateful for them.
“The tusks of the elephant are called ivory, are they not, grandpapa?”
inquired Harry. “Yes, my dear; they are not visible when the animal is
very young, but as it advances in growth, they are very conspicuous, and
in the full grown animal measure sometimes ten feet from their sockets,
weighing one hundred pounds each, and sometimes much heavier. The tusk
is hollow to a certain height, and of a hard, solid, and firm substance,
and being capable of a high polish, many beautiful toys and ornaments
are formed of it. The Chinese and other Asiatics manufacture the ivory
into toys of the most exquisite beauty, and of such extreme delicacy as
scarcely to appear the work of human ingenuity. Indeed of this product
of the wonderful elephant, some of the most admirable ornaments of the
eastern palaces are formed. You remember, my children, that Solomon
made him a great throne of ivory.” “Yes, grandpapa,” said Joanna, “that
was one of the beautiful things that excited the surprise of the Queen
of Sheba, when she visited Solomon.” “It is described in the bible,”
observed Harry, “as being overlaid too with pure gold; and steps, and
a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on
each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:
and twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the
six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.” “Dear Harry,”
said Joanna, without raising her eyes from the drawings, “how well you
remember the description of Solomon’s beautiful throne.” Harry laughed,
and produced his pocket bible, from which he had read the account.
“That was very magnificent,” observed Mr. Elmer, “it was the king’s seat
of judgment, and of public audience; where he showed himself to the
nobles and strangers who resorted to him. It was placed, we are told by
the Jewish historians, in the midst of a flight of rich pillars of cedar,
curiously carved and covered, or rather inlaid with gold. The ascent,
as Harry has just read, was by six steps, each step being supported on
either side by a small lion, and the arms of the seat with two as large
as life. All these, and even the steps themselves, were covered with
ivory and gold. There is no mention of ivory till about Solomon’s time.
Perhaps he brought elephants out of India, or at least caused a great
quantity of ivory to be imported from thence.”
“Surely, grandpapa, there was never any thing so magnificent as the
throne of Solomon; indeed all that he had,” remarked Harry. “Though at
that time it undoubtedly was unequalled, my boy, yet in after ages we
find many accounts of things constructed with great magnificence. [_Note
2._] The throne of the Parthian kings was of gold, encompassed with four
golden pillars adorned with precious stones. The Persian kings are stated
to have sat in judgment under a golden vine, and other trees of gold, the
bunches of whose grapes and other fruits were composed of jewels.”
“As you seem to have got upon a magnificent subject,” said Mr. Monson,
“of thrones, and gold, and precious stones, perhaps the description of
the great mogul’s famous peacock throne, as given by Tavernier, may
entertain you.” “Oh yes, papa,” exclaimed both the children at once.
“Well, then, cautioning you not to think I am going to read you a fairy
tale, I will fetch the volume from my study.” “Thank you, papa.” In a
few minutes, Mr. Monson returned with the volume, from which he read as
follows:—
“The great mogul has seven thrones, some set all over with diamonds,
others with rubies, emeralds, and pearls. But the largest throne is
erected in the hall of the first court of the palace. It is in form like
one of our field beds, six feet long and four broad. I counted about a
hundred and eight pale rubies, in collets, about that throne, the least
whereof weighed a hundred carats,[1] but there are some that weigh two
hundred. Emeralds I counted about a hundred and forty, that weighed some
three score, some thirty carats. The under part of the canopy is entirely
embroidered with pearls and diamonds, with a fringe of pearls round the
edge. Upon the top of the canopy, which is made like an arch, with four
panes, stands a peacock with his tail spread, consisting entirely of
sapphires and other proper coloured stones. The body is of beaten gold,
enchased with numerous jewels, and a great ruby adorns his breast, to
which hangs a pearl weighing fifty carats. On each side of the peacock
are two nosegays, as high as the bird, consisting of various sorts of
flowers, all of beaten gold enamelled. When the emperor seats himself
upon the throne, there is a transparent jewel with a diamond appendant
encompassed with rubies and emeralds, so suspended that it is always in
his eye. The twelve pillars also that uphold the canopy, are set round
with rows of fair pearl of the most exquisite water. At the distance of
four feet upon each side of the throne are placed two umbrellas, the
handles of which are about eight feet high, covered with diamonds; the
umbrellas themselves being of crimson velvet, embroidered and fringed
with pearl. This is the famous throne which Timour began and Shah Johan
finished, and is really reported to have cost one hundred and sixty
millions and five hundred thousand livres.”[2]
“To us,” observed Mr. Elmer, “to whom jewels are so comparatively rare,
as well as the precious metals, the eastern profusion of both seems
almost a fable. We are told of a Prince of Persia who had two troops
of guards, consisting of a thousand men each; one troop of which bore
maces of gold, each weighing a thousand crowns; the other carried
maces of silver of the same weight. These were his ordinary guard, and
upon extraordinary ceremonies each horseman carried his mace upon
his shoulder. I have frequently seen the slaves or servants of the
Mahotta chiefs running before them with gold and silver staves of rich
workmanship; they are called chopdars, and are a sort of heralds who sing
the praises of their chiefs, proclaiming their titles in the hypobolic
style of the east. To their lord, for instance, is generally ascribed
the power of ‘levelling mountains, of exhausting the ocean, of awing the
earth, and making the people tremble at his nod.’”
“What nonsense, grandpapa.” “I think it wicked, Harry,” said Joanna, “to
flatter people so; it is that perhaps that makes great men so proud.”
“There are but too many instances of its having this effect, my dear.
The adulation which the potentates of the east receive from their
slaves, fosters the pride too natural to the human heart, and leads to
many oppressive and cruel acts; which might be much enlarged upon. But
leaving this subject, let me remind you of one quality possessed by the
elephant I had forgotten to name, that is, its sensibility to music,
respecting which there are many anecdotes; one only I will relate. A
band of music was placed in a gallery, which surrounded the upper part
of the building in which two elephants were confined. Some provision
they were fond of was given them, in order to engage their attention,
and the musicians began to play. The sound no sooner struck their ears,
than they ceased to eat, and looked about with surprise to discover from
whence the sounds proceeded. At sight of the gallery, the orchestra,
and the spectators assembled to view the effect of the experiment,
they discovered considerable alarm, as though they imagined there was
some design formed against them. But the harmony soon appeared to have
lulled every fear; all other emotions becoming completely absorbed in
their attention to it. Strains of a bold and wild expression excited
in them turbulent agitations, expressive either of violent joy, or of
rising fury. A soft air performed on the bassoon evidently soothed
them to gentle and tender emotions. A gay and lively air moved them to
demonstrations of sportive sensibility; whilst other variations of the
harmony would not fail to produce corresponding changes in the motions of
these susceptible animals.”
“I should suppose,” remarked Mrs. Monson, who had entered the room to
hear this anecdote, “that the discovery of this susceptibility to ‘sweet
sounds’ will be found useful in taming and regulating this wonderful
animal. It is a remarkable circumstance that the most intelligent of the
brute creation, such as the dog, the horse, &c. have this susceptibility
to variation of sound. Our Fanchon is an instance of this. There are
tones on the piano which seem to agonize her, and others from which she
appears to feel as much pleasure.” “Oh yes, mamma, there is that little
Polish dance we all like so, seems to please Fanchon as much as any of
the party, and the Scotch air you and I love so dearly, seems to give her
as much pain as if she were caught in a trap.”
All laughed, and agreed with this remark of Joanna’s, and said it was
strange, passing strange! “But now we must have the book put aside,
my dears,” said Mrs. Monson, “grandpapa has been very good to indulge
you so long. Tea is now waiting, and as the evening has turned out so
stormy, I shall keep your grandpapa with us to night; therefore to-morrow
perhaps he will allow you another peep at his sketches.” The children
assured that every due indulgence would be granted them, then vied with
each other who should soonest be ready to conduct grandpapa into the
drawing-room, and having taken a merry tea, they accompanied their mamma
to the nursery, not however till they had returned to the parlour a
short time, to bid their grandpapa good night, and to promise they would
call him in the morning, as he had petitioned they might be allowed to
breakfast with him.
CHAP. VII.
If there is happiness below,
In such a home she’s shrin’d.
The human heart can never know
Enjoyment more refin’d,
Than where that sacred band is twin’d
Of filial and parental ties;
That tender union all combin’d,
Of nature’s holiest charities!
The morning was dry, but gloomy, and the fire cheerfully burning in the
breakfast-room, when he was conducted thither by the delighted children,
was no unpleasant object to Mr. Elmer; who both from his advanced
age, and from the effects of a long residence in the torrid regions,
was very susceptible of the autumnal changes of temperature. Warmth
and cheerfulness soon however pervaded his frame and his spirits, in
the family circle of his daughter, aided by that most social of meals
the morning’s repast, which was protracted by the relation of many an
anecdote, and the passing of many a joke. Reverting to the removal of
the menagerie, Harry said “if we could have seen it again, grandpapa,
should we have seen the great serpent that is named in the bill?” “The
_boa constrictor_ do you mean?” “Yes, grandpapa. Joanna says she should
not like to see it, it must be so frightful.” “Its magnitude makes it
terrible, my dear; and indeed all the serpent tribe convey unpleasant
ideas to the mind, but if we can divest ourselves of this feeling,
they are beautiful to behold, from the vividness and variety of their
colours. Your mention of this enormous serpent, my dear Harry, reminds
me of a species I have frequently seen and admired in Asia; it is called
the _boiga_, remarkably beautiful, combining the most lively colours of
the richest gems with the splendour of burnished gold, mingled with dark
brown shades, which contrast and display the more brilliant hues. The
whole under surface of the head and body is of a silver white, separated
from the changing blue of the back by a golden chain on each side the
whole length of the body. This fine blue and silver, ornamented with
gold, by no means however gives a full idea of the beautiful embroidery,
as it may be termed, of the _boiga_. We must take it in all the
reflected tints of silver colour, golden yellow, red, blue, green and
black mingled, and ever changing in the most extraordinary and beautiful
manner possible; so that when about to change its skin, it seems studded
with a mingled assemblage of diamonds, emeralds, topazes, sapphires, and
rubies, under a transparent veil of bluish chrystal. Thus in the rich
and torrid plains of India, where the most splendid gems abound, nature
seems to have chosen to reunite them all together with the noble metals
to adorn the brilliant robe of the _boiga_. It is one of the most slender
of serpents in proportion to its length, which but rather exceeds three
feet, yet not more than a few lines in diameter. The tail is nearly as
long as the body, and like a needle for fineness at the extremity, yet
is somewhat flattened on all sides so as to be in some measure square.
From the delicacy of its form, its movements are naturally agile, so
that doubling itself up several times, it can spring to a considerable
distance, with great swiftness. It can twine and twist itself most
readily and nimbly around trees or other similar bodies, climbing or
descending, or suspending itself, with the greatest facility. The _boiga_
feeds on small birds, which it swallows very easily, notwithstanding the
small diameter of its body; as, like other serpents, it has the power
of distending its throat and stomach. It conceals itself under the
foliage of trees, on purpose to surprise the small birds, and is said to
attract them by a peculiar kind of whistling, to which the term of song
has been applied, certainly with great impropriety, as its long divided
tongue and the conformation of its other organs of sound are not adapted
to a melodious continuity of tones. Yet although nature has not ranked
the _boiga_ amongst the songsters of the woods, it certainly seems to
possess a more perfect instinct than other serpents, united to more agile
movements and more beautiful exterior. In the isle of Borneo [_note
3_], the children play with the _boiga_ without the smallest dread;
they carry it in their hands, and twist it about their necks, arms, and
bodies in a thousand directions. It returns caress for caress with the
Indian children, who fondle it apparently pleased to be intwined about
their little hands and arms. The appearance of these nimble and innocent
animals in the forests, is extremely beautiful, displaying their splendid
colours and gliding swiftly from branch to branch, without possessing the
smallest noxious quality. We may perhaps almost regret, that this species
require a degree of heat greatly surpassing that of our regions, and that
it can only subsist near the tropics, in Asia, Africa, and America. In
fact, the _boiga_ seems not only to possess superior beauty, but may be
said to personify the old maxim of combining the wisdom of the serpent
with the harmlessness and gentleness of the dove.”
“Thank you, my dear grandpapa,” said the ever-ready spokesman, Harry,
delighted to listen to these accounts of his venerable relative,
who justly thought this oral instruction, in the hours of familiar
intercourse, was infinitely more likely to impress the youthful mind,
than mere reading-works of natural history; he therefore lost no
opportunity of describing what he had seen or heard likely to interest
the children.
“You have seen the serpents in India taught to dance, have you not, my
dear father?” asked Mrs. Monson. “Serpents dance, mamma,” said Harry,
laughing, “I should as soon have thought our favorite elephant could
dance a reel.” “I have however,” said Mr. Elmer, “several times seen the
serpents in India dance, and those too very different in disposition
to the innocent _boiga_, for among the arts of the Indian jugglers and
mountebanks, the most remarkable is, that they make one of the most
venemous serpents, the _naja_, or hooded snake, called by the Portuguese
_cobra de capello_, what they term dance. This serpent is most dangerous
to man, infusing by his bite a deadly poison into the wound. Those who
are so unfortunate as to be bitten by it, are immediately seized with
fits and dreadful oppression, and expire in convulsions, unless speedy
assistance is given; at least they hardly escape mortification in the
injured part, the cure of which is very difficult, if antidotes are not
instantly applied. This serpent, which belongs to the class of vipers, is
from three to four feet in length, and of a middling thickness; its skin
is scaly, beautifully striped, rough, dark brown, and the under part of
its body white. When provoked, it has the singular property of puffing up
the skin on both sides of the neck and extending it like a fillet, which
on the reverse side shows like a pair of spectacles distinctly marked
with a white colour, the circles of which are visible in the skin, which
is spread round the head: thus with its body raised, and with extended
jaws, displaying two rows of sharp teeth, it darts upon the enemy with
surprising swiftness. That this formidable animal should be brought by
singing to make, before spectators, movements resembling a dance, is
almost incredible to those who only hear of it, and an astonishing, if
not agreeable sight to those who witness it.”
“Oh pray tell us more about the serpent-dance, grandpapa, if it is not
too much trouble,” said Harry, riding astride Mr. Elmer’s knee, and
looking all eager curiosity. “It is all very natural, my boy, as you
will find when I describe the dance. A juggler, or charmer of serpents
as they call themselves, who intends to display his art, before he does
any thing, takes a piece of a certain root, of which he always carries
some in his girdle, in his right hand, closing it firmly; this root he
declares, defends him against all attacks from serpents; so that he can
do any thing with them without being endangered. After this, he throws
the serpent on the ground, out of the vessel in which he carries it
about, and gently irritates it with a stick, or with the clenched hand
in which he holds the root. The provoked animal, resting upon the point
of its tail, raises up its whole body, and darts upon the fist which he
holds out to him, with flaming eyes and extended jaws, from which the
hissing tongue is protruded.” “Oh how frightened I should be to see it,”
said Joanna, timidly. “The charmer,” resumed Mr. Elmer, “now begins
his song, at the same time moving his fist backwards and forwards, up
and down, according to the time. The serpent, with its eye constantly
directed towards the fist, imitates its movements with its head and whole
body, so that without quitting its place, and resting on its tail, it
extends its head two spans long, and moves to and fro, together with the
body, in beautiful undulations, which is called dancing: this, however,
does not last more than half a quarter of an hour; for exhausted by the
erect position and movements to the musical time, the serpent throws
itself upon the ground and escapes. To avoid this, the charmer breaks
off his song a little before, when the serpent lays itself quietly upon
the ground, and suffers itself to be brought back to its receptacle.”
“Then, grandpapa, the root has a secret power, and the song does make the
serpent harmless?” eagerly asked Harry. “These people certainly affirm
so, my dear, for they say, the root causes the serpent to do no harm, and
the singing makes it dance; but I do not believe that this is true in
either case. According to the conviction produced on my mind, by accurate
observation, I think it is fear by which these serpents are taught to
follow the motions of the master’s hand, which is held before them, and
are induced to the movements resembling those of a dance. I once saw a
Hindoo instruct such a serpent in a few days to dance, by means of a
stick and a bason which he held before it; and they are rendered harmless
by extracting the poison from the bags at the root of the canine teeth of
the upper jaw, which is done by provoking them, and making them bite a
cloth or some other soft and warm body, by repeating which several days
successively, the poison is extracted. Yet it appears from the testimony
of many respectable travellers, that there are certainly many vegetable
substances which afford security against the bite of a serpent. There is
a herb in Abyssinia so efficacious against poison, that it is stated, the
most venemous serpents immediately on touching it are as if stunned, and
whoever eats the root of this herb may be for years amongst the most
poisonous serpents without danger of injury.”
“Well, when I go to India,” said Harry, “I should like certainly to have
a little of that herb, for I cannot say I like snakes and serpents,
they seem so sly.” “Infinite wisdom has endued them with this subtilty,
my dear,” remarked Mr. Elmer, “in obedience to that grand law of
self-preservation, which pervades animated creation. Your observation of
the _slyness_ of the serpent tribe may perhaps more peculiarly and justly
be applied to that species of them called the _cerastes_, or horned
snake. This serpent is emphatically called by the orientals the _lier in
ambush_, as it lies in wait for passengers in the sand. From its lurking
place, it treacherously bites the horses’ heels, so that the rider is
thrown off backward, in consequence of the horses’ legs becoming almost
immediately torpid, through the virulence and activity of the poison.”
“O dear, what a dreadful animal,” said Joanna. “It is so, my dear,”
replied the good old man; “but yet the more we look into the works of the
Almighty, the more reason shall we find to acknowledge that nothing is
made in vain, and although there will be many mysteries beyond our finite
capacities to understand, yet we may discern ample proofs of wisdom and
goodness: we ought then to adore in silence, and wait in patience till
the veil is further removed from the ways of our great and good Creator.
Even this wily serpent, whose insidious attack seems so revolting to the
generous nature of man, is endued with the instinctive power, in order to
preserve its own existence. It is about thirteen or fourteen inches long,
and has two small excrescences on the head, resembling barley-corns, and
which the natives compare to horns. They are, however, properly feelers,
which project when the serpent is covered in the sand; when it moves
these feelers (as you doubtless have seen snails), the birds, who fancy
they are worms, fall upon them; then the _cerastes_, which is roused by
the slightest touch of its feelers, twines round the birds, and kills
and devours them. It is however apparently a very malignant animal,
for when it inclines to surprise any one who is too far from him, he
creeps with his side towards the person and with his head averted, till
judging his distance he turns round and springs upon him, fastening on
the part next to him. It has the power of easily doing this, as it moves
with great rapidity, and in all directions.” “Ah! how different from the
innocent _boiga_,” said Joanna. “But,” added Mr. Elmer, “among the great
number of serpents which abound in Hindostan, the _cobra minelle_ is
the most dangerous, although the smallest. I will conclude our notices
of this subtle tribe with the description of this fearful animal,
whose bite occasions a speedy and painful death. They are of a brown
colour, speckled with black and white, though at a distance not easily
distinguished from the ground on which they move; happy however would it
be for many who become their victims, if they confined themselves to it,
but they enter the houses, and creep upon the beds and chairs. I once
found four in my chamber.” “Well, I am happy I do not live in India,
however,” said Joanna; “for all the jewels, and grandeur, and delightful
fruits would be nothing to me from the fear I should continually have
of the serpents.” “They are indeed not very pleasant inmates,” replied
Mr. Elmer, “often being found in old walls. But what, Joanna, will you
say of a serpent which discovered to a prince a great treasure; that was
even more extraordinary than dancing, was it not?” “I think so, indeed,
grandpapa, but how was it?”
“A prince of Persia, we are informed,” resumed Mr. Elmer, “was reduced
to great difficulties from want of a due attention to his government and
treasury (for you are ever to remember that difficulty and distress will
inevitably follow neglect and carelessness). Walking disconsolately and
anxiously one day, in an apartment of his palace, which had previously
been the residence of his enemy and rival, he perceived a serpent
putting its head out of a chink in the wall. Immediately seized with a
superstitious fear, he summoned persons to search the wall and destroy
the serpent. In opening the wall for this purpose, a secret place was
discovered in which they did not find the serpent, but a vast treasure
lodged in several coffers, in which _Jacout_, his enemy, had deposited
his most precious effects.” “Is that story true, grandpapa?” asked
Harry. “We are assured by the person that relates it of its veracity,
my dear; I cannot vouch for it.” “And do you think, grandpapa, that
they really do charm the serpents and make them harmless?” “Really, my
dear boy, you have proposed a question I find it difficult to answer.
Numerous testimonies of the fact might be collected, and truly there
are some instances in which the powers of the persons professing the
art appear extraordinary. A modern traveller in Africa (Brown) says,
after expressing his surprise at those powers, ‘the serpent most common
at Kahina is of the viper class, and undoubtedly poisonous. If one of
them enter a house, the charmer is sent for, who uses a certain form
of words. I have seen three serpents thus enticed out of a cabin of
a ship lying near the shore. The operator handled them, and then put
them in a bag. At other times I have seen the serpents twist round the
bodies of these Psythi in all directions, without having had their fangs
extracted or broken, and without receiving any injury from them.’ That
they certainly are highly susceptible of musical sounds, I have many
times had occasion to observe,” said Mr. Elmer, “and though I did not
mean to enlarge further upon the subject, I will add one other little
anecdote which occurs to my recollection. Among my drawings, I have that
of the _cobra de capello_, or hooded snake, which danced for an hour on
the table while I painted it; during which time I frequently handled
it, to observe the beauty of the spots, and especially the spectacles
on the hood, which I have described to you, not a moment doubting
that its fangs had been previously extracted, consequently that I was
caressing an innoxious animal. But the next morning a domestic, who was
a Mahometan, came to me in great haste, and desired I would instantly
retire and praise the Almighty for my good fortune. Not understanding
his meaning, I told him I had already performed my devotions, and that
my religion did not enjoin so many stated prayers as to the followers of
his prophet. Mahomed then explained the reasons I had for the immediate
act of praise, by informing me, that while he was purchasing some fruit
in the bazar, he observed the man who had attended me on the preceding
evening, entertaining the country people with his dancing snakes; they
according to usual custom sat on the ground around him, when either from
the music stopping too suddenly, or from some other cause irritating the
vicious reptile I had so often handled, it darted at the throat of a
young woman, and inflicted a wound of which she died in the short space
of half an hour.” An exclamation of horror burst from the children at the
relation of this fatal catastrophe. “Mahomed,” continued Mr. Elmer, “once
more repeated his advice for praise and thanksgiving to Alla, and did not
fail to record me in his calendar as a lucky man.” “Indeed, grandpapa, I
think he was quite right, and I dare say you thought so too, and did not
neglect his advice?” Mr. Elmer was on the point of assuring Harry that
he was truly sensible of the providence which had saved him from this
shocking and rapid death, when Mrs. Monson entered the room. “The morning
having cleared so delightfully, my dear father,” she said to Mr. Elmer,
“perhaps you would like to put in practice your intention of walking to
dame Wilson’s, for some honey. Myself and the children will be happy to
show you the way to our respectable old friend.” “I accept your offer,
my dear,” said Mr. Elmer, “provided it is not too late, but (taking out
his watch) I must be at C—— by three o’clock.” “Oh, grandpapa, there will
be plenty of time,” said Harry, delighted that he should still enjoy his
grandpapa’s company.
“Well, then,” said Mrs. Monson, “let us be quick, and prepare, while
the sun shines so gloriously and the air is so clear and balmy. I will
but tell Susan to follow us with the little ones, and we will set off
directly;” and she hastened out of the room with all a mother’s, all a
daughter’s feelings glowing at her heart and animating her countenance,
while the good old man followed her with his eyes, into which started the
tear of joyful affection.
CHAP. VIII.
The path-way from the rectory to the farm-house of John Wilson and his
dame, was a pleasant and dry gravelly lane, on the skirts of a wood,
which formed the back ground of Mr. Monson’s comfortable dwelling, the
front windows of which commanded a delightful view of a richly-cultivated
country, in which a high moral interest was given, by the many neat and
pleasant cottages and small farm-houses that spotted the landscape.
It may with truth be said, there is no weariness in the contemplation of
nature, on the contrary, a relish for her simple delights and beauties
formed in early life, remains with us to the latest hours of our
existence; and even if the world have engrossed the advancing years of
life, the mind naturally reverts with pleasure and tender satisfaction
to those early days when the country walk was anticipated as a high
gratification, and enjoyed with a relish which belongs only to those
which are innocent. As the happy party passed down the lane, Harry
observed the broom (now hanging its yellow riches as it were to tempt
the passenger), covered with the gossamer. “Dear grandpapa, how thick
the cobwebs cover the broom,” he observed; “how can it be done?” “That
fine filmy substance, my dear, is called gossamer; it is formed by the
flying spider, which in traversing the air for food shoots out those fine
filmy threads, which are made to look so thick by being borne down by the
dew.” “Well may we say,” remarked Mrs. Monson “that the study of nature’s
works is delightful, as well as the subjects inexhaustible, the more we
examine, the further we search, so much the more shall we have reason to
admire and adore the Divine artist.” “True, my dear,” replied Mr. Elmer,
“nor is the power and wisdom of the Creator manifested more strongly in
any thing than in the formation of those countless myriads of living
creatures we call insects; though diminutive in point of size, in regard
to numbers they are unquestionably the most distinguished of the works of
nature, for they pervade every situation, the water, the air, the bowels
of the earth; they exist in wood, upon animals, decayed vegetables,
all kinds of flesh, in every stage of its health and decay. Of these,
multitudes
——‘Escape
The grosser eye of man: for if the worlds
In worlds inclos’d, should on his senses burst,
From cates ambrosial, and the nectar’d bowl,
He would abhorrent turn.’
“But, my little Ellen,” added Mr. Elmer, calling his favorite pet, “look
at that pretty Red-breast sitting on that fallen tree. I dare say he is
waiting for his companion the fagot-maker.” “Oh I wish he would go home
with me,” said the little girl, “I would so love him, and feed him so
nicely.” “Let him alone, and he will pay your window a visit when the
weather gets a great deal colder, and the snow is on the ground. Then
you may give him some crumbs, and he will repay you with a sweet song.”
“Yes,” said Joanna, “we all love Robin Red-breast; mamma has given us
several sweet descriptions of this dear little bird. But, grandpapa, I
never saw a nest of Red-breasts.” “It generally builds near the roots
of trees, my dear, in some concealed spot near the ground. The little
nest is composed of dried leaves, mixed with hair and moss, and lined
throughout with feathers. In order more effectually to conceal it, the
bird is said to cover it with leaves, suffering only a narrow winding
entrance under the heap to be left. Its pleasing familiarity has caused
the pretty little bird to have some peculiar denomination, indicative
of its social habits, in several countries. The inhabitants of Bornholm
(in Denmark), call it Tommi Siden; the Norwegians, Peter Rosmad; the
Germans, Thomas Gierdel; and we, as you know, Robin Red-breast.” “And
by far the prettiest name, too,” said Harry, as he trudged by the side
of his grandpapa, every now and then looking up, with a countenance
fraught with curiosity and pleasure, to that of his mild and intelligent
grandfather. Thus conversing, they reached the end of the lane, and
turning a corner, the farm of honest John Wilson was seen just peeping
through the trees of a large orchard, the fruit of which hung in rich
abundance on some remarkably fine and handsome trees. The grass of the
orchard was green and fresh as the spring, a fine sow and a numerous
litter of nice little white pigs seemed to be in the full enjoyment of a
stolen ramble in this land of plenty, while a rough little pony, a fine
milch ass, and a frolicsome little foal seemed equally pleased with their
quarters. The orchard was divided from the road by a narrow ditch and
luxuriant quickset hedge, clipped with the utmost neatness, and so thick
as to be impervious to man or beast. Having passed this promising part
of the farmer’s domain, our party came in front of the building. It was
one of those ancient mansions, a few of which now exist, that from having
been the residence of the opulent country gentlemen of the fourteenth and
fifteenth centuries, have been converted into substantial farm-houses.
On one side of the heavy porch grew a huge bay-tree, throwing its dark
shadow even round the corner in which it stood, as if to screen from
observation the dilapidation of a building, with which it seemed coeval;
on the other side was a pyracantha rising with vigorous shoot even to
the chamber windows, its bright red berries contrasting with its sober
foliage and the variegated leaves of a vine, which also was trained over
the front of the building. By the opening on each side of the porch,
stood two heavy carved stone jars, containing each a myrtle, apparently
cut down every season, and studiously kept as round as possible, scarcely
one twig advancing before another, and in perfect consistency with the
solid and substantial nature of the vases which contained them, as well
as every thing around. Before this substantial building, was no lawn or
sweep, no clumps, no shrubberies, but a spacious garden cut into regular
walks; some gravelled, edged with box, others grass. A few enormous
espalier trees were seen, on which blushed in the noon-day sun some
remarkably fine apples; and in a narrow border, surrounding two square
grass plats before the house, were rosemary, rue, sweet-brier, marigolds,
China asters, hollyhocks, and other varieties of late blowing flowers,
mingling their bright hues. On the grass plat was spread a sail-cloth,
with seeds drying in the sun, and a little cottager’s child sat near,
shelling kidney-beans. Within the open casement of one of the windows
a fine tortoise-shell cat reposed in state, the heat of the sun making
her variegated coat almost to emit sparks of fire. Before the porch,
full in the path, lay stretched at his length, a very large greyhound,
who seemed too much to enjoy his slumbers to think of giving way to
the visitants, as, opening the white gate from the green bordering the
road, they proceeded up the path to this abode of apparent substantial
comfort. Not a creature but the little girl shelling the beans was to
be seen, and on inquiring of her, they found the poor child was dumb. A
pretty loud knock at the door however soon brought the mistress of the
mansion to the open window, and as quickly to the door when her guests
were perceived. “Bless you, madam, I ask your pardon, I hope you have not
been waiting long, but we be all so busy to-day, the gipsies might have
ran away with the house, and we never the wiser.” While dame Wilson was
apologizing, Mr. Elmer was observing that she presented a model which
was daily becoming more rare, and the loss of which, like every other
good, will perhaps not be appreciated at its full value, until it is
not to be redeemed. Mrs. Wilson appeared about forty-five, comely, but
not too stout for activity. Her dear blue eye, healthful bloom, active
step, and kindly manner, almost instantly prepossessed in her favour,
and every observation of her judicious management, and perfect propriety
in her station, soon ripened that involuntary favour into esteem for her
useful character. “We are come to inquire, if you can let us have some
of your nice honey this season, Mrs. Wilson?” said Mrs. Monson. “I dare
say you may, ma’am,” replied the good dame, “but don’t stand here,—and
you, sir, [to Mr. Elmer,] and these darlings,” as she severally kissed
the children, “pray walk into the house; you will excuse its not being
in order, for as I was saying, we have been mighty busy this morning. If
you will sit down a bit, I will get the little dears some cakes.” “Do
not trouble yourself to do that, I pray,” said Mrs. Monson, “they really
do not require any refreshment.” “Oh! but they must try my cakes, I have
just been baking, as you may see,—I am all over flour:” and she brushed
a little flour off her neckkerchief as she spoke, the extreme neatness
and cleanness of her dress little indicating she had been employed in
the manner she mentioned. Every thing in the house, or keeping-room,
denoted comfort and neatness; a dresser covered with a cloth white as a
curd,—beneath it a goodly sight of copper and brass utensils, above as
fair a show of pewter, tin, and earthenware: an immense fire-place, the
open part of it so far modernized as to have, instead of dog’s, a range
bright as a drawing-room stove, above the mantel-board a fowling-piece,
two pistols, and a hanger were suspended in awful array; in the front
ground four old-fashioned brass candlesticks, a modern japanned chamber
candlestick, with snuffers and tray, and in the middle a large brown
earthen jar, filled with hollyhock and Michaelmas daisies. The floor
of this apartment was of stone, remarkably white, and at the bottom
of it a large dining-table, polished by the labour of the damsels of
the farm, attracted the attention, as it literally reflected the form
that passed before it. To make up the furniture of this _living room_
were, beside the usual chairs of wainscot, two caned, and armed for the
elders of the family, and whose ample seats were rendered comfortable
by soft leather cushions; they were curiously carved, as was also the
foot of a small round table, which appeared to be the accompaniment of
the farmer’s chair. Having remained in this spacious apartment a few
minutes, Mrs. Wilson returned to the party laden with good cheer for
the children, which she soon arranged on a table near the large cheerful
window. Fresh-made butter, cream cheese, baked fruit, and beautiful
little loaves, as well as light cakes, presently invited the visitants
to do honour to her housewifery skill; milk, whey, and mead forming
the beverage to the feast. “And how are your daughters, Mrs. Wilson? I
have not seen them; I hope they are well, and yet with you.” “Oh yes,
ma’am, Susan is gone with the butter and poultry to market this morning,
and Betty, poor girl, has been up all night with Jenny.” “What, have
you a servant ill then?” inquired Mrs. Monson, in a sympathizing tone.
“No, thank God, not so, ma’am; Jenny is our best cow, poor beast, but I
forgot, you did not know that when I spoke. She has been very bad, and
Betty never leaves the poor dumb animals to the men alone, but sits up
to see they are properly attended to; I think she has saved many a poor
beast by her care,—and they cost so much money, it is very necessary to
attend to them.” “Will you have a good season with your bees, think you?”
inquired Mr. Elmer. “I think we shall, sir, but we have not examined the
weight of the hives yet.” “You do not destroy your bees to obtain their
riches, do you, Mrs. Wilson?” said Mrs. Monson. “No, indeed, ma’am, if
that were necessary, I would not keep them, if I gained ever so much by
them.” “But you are obliged to rob them of their harvest, are you not?”
“Why, yes, sir, that we certainly must do in some degree, but yet we
attend to and feed them, and they soon recover their loss; but will you
walk and look at the hives?” “With pleasure, if not interrupting you
too much?” “My baking is all over, therefore I can readily attend you,”
replied the good-humoured woman; and they proceeded to the apiary,—Ellen
having attached herself to nice Mrs. Wilson.
The apiary was judiciously chosen, a little nook in a southern aspect,
quite open to the sun, but sheltered from the wind, and in the vicinity
abundance of flowers and sweet herbs; every spot around clear and free
from weeds, decayed vegetables, or any thing in which insects might
harbour, or noisome smells be produced. The spot was sufficiently
near to the house to give constant opportunity of attending to them
in the feeding time, and yet so sheltered as not to be subjected to
interruption of noises or passengers, which greatly inconvenience these
industrious insects. Mrs. Wilson was particularly successful with her
bees, although, except in not destroying them, she had not adopted any of
the improved methods of management. The children longed to ask a thousand
questions, but so much time had been taken up by this feast and Mrs.
Wilson’s caresses, that Mr. Elmer could only order his winter store of
honey, and thank Mrs. Wilson for her kindness, before he was obliged to
summon his young companions to return. After many invitations on the part
of the hospitable dame, and many promises from Mr. Elmer, they bade Mrs.
Wilson farewell, and proceeded by the open road to the rectory, Mr. Elmer
having ordered his phaeton to be in readiness by the time of his return.
The discourse during the walk home naturally turned upon the bees, and
Harry inquired what his mamma meant about destroying the bees. “It has
hitherto been usual, my dear,” she replied, “when taking the honey
collected from the flowers by these little busy insects, to take their
lives also, reserving first a few to keep up the stock.” “And how do
they do this, mamma; are they not afraid of being stung?” “The common
method is, my dear, to dig a hole in the ground near the hive or hives to
be taken, and put a stick with a piece of rag tied to it into the place,
the rag having been dipped in melted brimstone as the ends of matches
are; this rag is set fire to, and the hive is immediately placed over
the hole, the earth being instantly thrown up all round, so that none
of the smoke may pass away. In less than a quarter of an hour the poor
bees are seemingly all dead, but if they are not, they are soon rendered
so by being buried in the earth that is returned into the hole. It is
indeed by this last unnecessary act that they are absolutely killed,
for it has been ascertained by experience, that most of the bees would
have recovered from the effects of the fume, and that a careful mode of
conducting the operation would prevent any further injury.”
“Mrs. Wilson told you, grandpapa, that bees are very much troubled by
the insects, did she not?” “Yes, my dear, their enemies are many and
various; vermin, insects, and birds are among them. It is said that
the earwigs steal into the hives at night, and drag out bee after bee,
sucking out their vitals and leaving nothing but their skins or scalps,
like so many trophies of their butchery. Wasps and hornets are however
the most formidable enemies the bee has to encounter. But, my dear
Harry,” continued Mr. Elmer, “what will you say, if I tell you I knew a
boy who was a great destroyer of bees, from being so fond of them as to
eat them.” “Oh no, grandpapa, that is impossible, you are laughing at me
now because I am so inquisitive.” “No, indeed, I am not, Harry. This poor
boy, of whom I speak was an ideot from his birth, and from his earliest
childhood showed a great propensity to bees. They were in fact his food,
his amusement, and apparently the sole objects which excited him. In
the winter season he dozed away his time by the fire-side, in an almost
torpid state, seldom leaving the chimney corner; but in the summer he was
all alert, and in quest of his game. He had no apprehensions from their
stings, but would seize them with naked hands, and at once disarm them of
their weapons, and suck their bodies for the sake of their honey bags.
Sometimes he would fill his bosom with these animals, and sometimes he
attempted to confine them in bottles. He was very injurious to those who
kept bees, for he would glide unperceived into their bee-gardens, and
sitting down before the stools would rap with his fingers, and catch the
bees as they came out. He has even been known to overturn the hives for
the sake of the honey, of which he was passionately fond. Where mead was
making, he would linger round the tubs and vessels, begging a draught of
what he called bee-wine. As he ran about, he used to make a humming noise
with his lips resembling the buzzing of bees. This lad was in person
and appearance lean and sallow, and except in his favorite pursuit, in
which he was wonderfully adroit, discovered not any understanding. He
fortunately died while a youth.”
“That is a more curious story, grandpapa, than the serpent charmers,”
remarked Harry; “I shall never taste honey, or see a bee on a flower, but
I shall think of the poor ideot bee-boy.” “And thank the Almighty, my
dear boy, that ‘thy presiding star doth more propitious shine.’ But here
we are at home, and there is Alan all ready; now I must bid farewell!”
“Oh, that is what none of us like, grandpapa!” said Joanna, “but yet
we are very much obliged to you for sparing us so much of your time.”
“If grandpapa could but have staid another day, we should have heard
all about the bees, and the honey, and the wax,” said Harry. “We must
reserve that till the time when we can watch them, my dear; I think I
shall procure some of Mrs. Wilson, and get a glass hive: we will think
of it.” “You are always thinking of something to make them happy,” said
Mrs. Monson, as she kissed the venerable cheek of her beloved father,—and
the tear of affection started in her eye. “Well, best friends must part
sometimes,” said the good old man as he returned her salute, imprinted
a kiss on the fat cheek of the babe she held in her arms, shook Harry
heartily by the hand, and, inquiring for the other young ones, found they
had all gathered round Alan, who was promising them various pleasures
when they were allowed again to visit the villa, having won the hearts of
all by presenting each with a garden implement of his own manufacture,
to one a hoe, to another a rake, to another a cart, and to his favorite
little Ellen a beautiful little garden roll, of which she was not a
little proud, as the gift of dear old Alan; of whom she artlessly
inquired, if the white part of the roll was not ivory, taken from the
great elephant?
“O life! how pleasant is thy morning,
Young fancy’s rays the hills adorning!
It is enchanted fairy land,
Where pleasure is the magic wand
_That wielded right_,
Makes hours like minutes, hand in hand,
Dance by full light!”
[Illustration]
FOOTNOTES
[1] A carat is 4 grains.
[2] A livre is about 9d. of our money, French 1s.
NOTES
_Referred to in the preceding Pages._
NOTE 1.—Ceylon is a large and mountainous island of Asia, in the Indian
ocean, on the coast of Coromandel. It is about 200 miles in length and
120 in breadth. It produces large quantities of cinnamon and pepper of a
superior quality; a great variety of beautiful and useful woods, but one
of the most remarkable of its trees is the tallipot, a single leaf of
which is large enough to shelter ten persons. It abounds in corn, rice,
elephants, buffaloes, goats, hogs, deer, hares, dogs, jackals, monkeys,
tigers, and bears. There are also mines, from whence are procured rubies,
sapphires, topazes, and other stones of inferior value. The natives of
the northern parts of the island are a hardy race, and called Bedas;
those on the south, Cinglasses, a people extremely superstitious,
worshipping idols of various monstrous forms. They are divided into
tribes like the Hindoos; and their language, which is said to be copious,
smooth, elegant, and expressive, is now made the medium not of imparting
the dogmas of gross superstition alone, but of conveying the light of
Revelation to the benighted souls of those remote islanders of the East;
the Scriptures being translated into Cingalese and received with grateful
avidity by the natives.
NOTE 2.—Ivory was highly valued and admired among the Jews and other
eastern nations of antiquity. The purity of its white and delicate
smoothness of the surface, with the durability of it (being not liable to
tarnish and rust like metals, or like wood to rot or become worm-eaten),
made it a favorite ornament in the furniture of the houses and palaces of
the great.—Amos (chap. vi.) speaks of beds or sofas of ivory, and the
ancient profane authors frequently name curious inlaid works of gold,
silver, and ivory. In short, it was used for almost every article of
superior elegance and luxury: vessels for different purposes, images of
the deities worshipped, ornaments of various kinds, couches, thrones and
footstools, also to ornament weapons of war; consequently a considerable
value was put upon the commodity. The Romans also used to inlay the
ceilings and walls of their saloons not only with gold, silver, and
beautiful woods, but also with ivory.
NOTE 3.—Borneo is an island in the Indian archipelago, about 800 leagues
in circumference, and divided into several states or kingdoms. It
produces aromatic herbs, oranges, lemons, mangoes, pines, palms in great
abundance; also fine mastic and other precious gums, with rice, cassia,
coffee, honey, cotton, camphire, frankincense, musk, aloes, and sweet
spices of all kinds. Diamonds and gold dust are found in the rivers.
The animals are elephants, buffaloes, oxen, horses, tigers, leopards,
bears, monkeys, deer, wild boars, goats, parrots, paroquets, and a great
variety of beautiful birds. There is also plenty of fine sea and river
fish. The inhabitants on the coast are Mahometans; those in the interior,
comparatively little known, are Gentoos. On the sea-coast, and near the
rivers, the land is usually overflowed half the year, by the heavy and
continual rains; to guard against which, some of the habitations are
built on floats, and others erected on high pillars. Borneo, the capital,
is built on piles, and is large and populous, with a good harbour on the
north of the island.
THE END.
Printed by Swinborne & Walter,
Colchester.
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