THE ELEPHANT. 17 



bring another, better fitted to the service." The poor an- 

 imal redoubled his efforts, but fractured his skull, and died 

 upon the spot. Thus it is that cruelty brings its own pun- 

 ishment ; the keeper, for his want of mercy, was punished by 

 the loss of his beast, which might have served him for many 

 years more, if he had not pressed him beyond his powers. 

 To give an idea of the labor which the domesticated 

 Elephant performs in India, it may suffice to state that all 

 the casks, sacks, and bales are carried by Elephants. They 

 take burdens on their backs, their necks, and their tusks ; 

 they put packages into boats without wetting them, ar- 

 ranging them carefully, so that they may not roll out of 

 place ; they are employed in carrying people and baggage 

 in the march of an army, in hunting the tiger, lion, &c., and 

 in processions. In battle these animals show great regard 

 for human life, and, except when wounded, never place 

 their foot upon the disabled and dying men who lie in their 

 path ; on the contrary, indeed, for they frequently take them 

 up with their trunks, and remove them to a place of safety. 

 They thus set a good example to mankind, who, in their 

 ignorance, prejudice, and vice, create or allow these wars 

 to be created, merely for the glory of a few cunning knaves, 

 who take good care to keep out of danger. But with the 

 progress of knowledge, intelligence, and a habit of thought- 

 ful examination of these evils, the time will come when no 

 glory shall be attained except by doing good. Then How- 

 ard the Philanthropist and Washington the Patriot will hold 

 a place in the minds of mankind incalculably higher than 

 the ambitious Napoleon, Alexander, &c., who deserve only 

 desecration for the prostitution of their talents to such base 

 purposes and evil deeds, 



6 



