THE ELEPHANT* \6\ 



generally run from ten to fifteen. The largest are en- 

 tirely kept for the service of princes, and maintained 

 with the- utmost masmifidence and state. The usual 

 colour is a dusky black, though some are said to be 

 perfectly white : the price of these is exorbitant, and 

 they are wholly devoted to the monarch's use. 



Of all the animals that have been brought under the 

 dominion of mankind, the elephant is allowed to be 

 the most obedient, and, when treated with kindness 

 and affection, testifies his gratitude, by fulfilling all 

 his keeper's desires, and caressing him with apparent 

 •fondness and delight : it receives his commands with 

 submission and attention, and executes them with the ( 

 utmost punctuality and zeal ; bends its knees when he 

 expresses a wish to ride, and willingly exerts its ut- 

 most strength, which, in drawing burdens, is equal to 

 that of six horses ; and, without fatigue, it can sup- 

 port near four thousand weight upon its back. 



Though this animal seems capable both of gratitude 

 and affection, disappointment or injustice produces 

 resentment and spleen ; and, though faithfully attach- 

 ed to a kind protector the least alteration in his be- 

 haviour would be indignantly received. We are told 

 that the conductor of one of these animals promised 

 to reward it by an additional supply of food, if it 

 would exert its strength in removing some cannon of 

 more than common size and weight. The creature, 

 animated by the expected compensation, willingly put 

 forth its utmost strength ; and when it had performed 

 the arduous undertaking, it waited patiently for some 

 time in the hope of a reward. At length, finding 

 it had been deceived, and that there was no probabi- 

 lity that the promise would ever be fulfilled, resentment 

 wholly subdued affection, and the unfortunate object 



