I 

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208 DOCILITY OF ELEPHANTS. 



a beneficial influence in coiTecting her faults^ and 

 improving her character. It is a favourable symptom, 

 that she listens patiently to his friendly hints, though 

 she is indignant towards any body else who takes the 

 liberty of pointing out her faults. 



Mr. Hervey had an elephant * of which he was 

 very fond; it had carried him many a long march, 

 and had attached him to it by the sweetness of its 

 disposition. If he wished to enjoy a prospect, he 

 had only to speak, and the elephant remained im- 

 movable till he gave it the signal to proceed. If he 

 had a desire for the ripe mangoes that grew on the 

 upper branches, it advanced to that part of the 

 tree, and, breaking off the most fruitful bough 

 with his trunk, he offered it to the driver, for the 

 company in his houdah ; and if he received any part 

 for his trouble, he accepted it with a profound re- 

 spect, making a salaam, or obeisance, three times, 

 with his trunk raised to the top of his head, in 

 the manner of the oriental salute ; and as often did 

 he articulate his thanks by a murmuring noise, — his 

 mode of expressing his gratitude. When a branch 

 seemed likely to intercept the houdah, he twisted 

 his trunk around it, and, although several feet in 

 circumference, he broke it off with ease. This gen- 

 tle animal was accustomed to visit his master at 



* Mr. Forbes's account of his own elephant. 



