80 THE ELEPHANT. 



man who feigned to throw something into his mouth, he struck 

 him with his trunk, and broke two of his ribs, and afterwards 

 trampled him under his feet, and broke one of his legs. A painter 

 being desirous of drawing him in the attitude of having his trunk 

 erect, and his mouth open, ordered his servant to make him re- 

 tain that posture, by constantly throwing him fruit ; the servant, 

 however, at last deceived him, which so roused his indignation, 

 that, perceiving the original cause of this deception to be the 

 painter's desire of drawing him, he revenged himself by throw- 

 ing, with his trunk, a large quantity of water on the paper, which 

 completely spoiled the design. 



The elephants exhibited in Europe are commonly of a diminu- 

 tive size, as the coldness of the climate both checks the growth 

 and abridges the life of these animais. That which has just been 

 mentioned, and which was sent by the King of Portugal to 

 Louis XIV. A. D. 1668, died in 1681, being four years old at 

 his arrival, and living only thirteen years in the menagerie at 

 Versailles. He was six feet and a half high at four years old, 

 and advanced in growth only one foot during the thirteen years 

 that he lived in France, although he was treated with care, and 

 fed with profusion. He had every day four pounds of bread, 

 twelve pints of wine, two buckets of porridge, with four or five 

 pounds of steeped bread, and two buckets of rice, boiled in 

 water. 



The elephant that died in 1803, at Exeter 'Chancre, was 

 brought over in the Rose East-Indiaman, and purchased by the 

 owner of the menagerie, for 1000. He was generally fed with 

 hay and straw, but could also eat with avidity, carrots, cabbages, 

 bread, and boiled potatoes. He was so excessively fond of beer, 

 that he has been known to drink upwards of fifty quarts in a 

 day, given by his numerous visiters. He was also allowed nine 

 pails of water daily, given at three different times : but the 

 quantity he ate could not be precisely ascertained, as he fre- 

 quently scattered great part of the straw which was given him 

 for food, and ate a considerable portion of that which formed 

 his litter. This animal would kneel down, bow to the company, 

 or search the pocket of his keeper, at the word of command. 



Considering the elephant, if not the most useful, at least the 

 most wonderful of all God's works displayed in the animal crea- 

 tion, being a monster of matter and a miracle of intelligence, it 

 is presumed, no excuse for prolixity in its description is neces- 

 sary. He unites in himself the judgment of the beaver, the dex- 

 terity of the monkey, and the sentiment of the dog ; and adds 

 to all these qualifications the peculiar advantages of extraordi- 

 nary size, strength, and longevity. He can conquer the lion and 

 the tiger, nor dare anv beast of prey attack him. When we con- 



