CHAPTER II 



THE ELEPHANT (ELEPHAS) 



THIS animal has interested mankind more than any other, owing 

 to the peculiar combination of immense proportions with extra- 

 ordinary sagacity. The question has frequently been raised 

 " Whether the elephant or the dog should be accepted as superior 

 in intelligence 1 " My own experience would decide without hesi- 

 tation The Dog is man's companion ; the Elephant is his slave. 



We all know the attachment and fidelity of the dog, who 

 appears to have been created specially to become the friend of the 

 human race. He attaches himself equally to the poor man and the 

 rich, and shares our fortunes "for better, for worse," clinging 

 with heroic loyalty to his master when all other friends may have 

 abandoned him. The power of memory is wonderfully exhibited, 

 considering the shortness of life which Nature, by some mischance, 

 has accorded to man's best friend. 



" "While thus Florinda spake, the dog who lay 

 Before Rusilla's feet, eyeing him long 

 And wistfully, had recognised at length, 

 Changed as he was and in those sordid weeds, 

 His royal master. And he rose and lick'd 

 His withered hand, and earnestly looked up 

 With eyes whose human meaning did not need 

 The aid of speech ; and moan'd, as if at once 

 To court and chide the long-withheld caress . . . 



Disputing, he withdrew. The watchful dog 



Followed his footsteps close. But he retired 



Into the thickest grove ; there yielding way 



To his o'erburthen'd nature, from all eyes 



Apart, he cast himself upon the ground, 



And threw his arms around the dog, and cried 



While tears stream'd down. Thou Theron, tliou hast known 



Thy poor lost master . . . Theron, only thou ! " 



Southey's Roderick, last of the Goths. 



