Chapter II: Part 2

“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!