THE ELEPHANT. 



directed to force a very large vessel into the water: 

 the work proved superior to its strength, but not 

 to its endeavours ; which, however, the keeper 

 affected to despise. *' Take away," says he, 

 " that lazy beast, and bring another better fitted 

 for service." The poor animal instantly upon this 

 redoubled its efforts, fractured its skull, and died 

 upon the spot. 



In Delhi, an elephant passing along the streets 

 put his trunk into a tailor's shop, where several 

 people were at work. One of the persons of the 

 shop, desirous of some amusement, pricked the 

 animal's trunk with his needle, and seemed highly 

 delighted with this slight punishment. The ele- 

 phant, however, passed on without any immediate 

 signs of resentment ; but coming to a puddle filled 

 with dirty water, he rilled his trunk, returned to 

 the shop, and spurted the contents over all the 

 finery upon which the tailors were then employed. 



An elephant in Adsmeer, which often passed 

 through the bazar or market, as he went by a 

 certain herb-woman always received from her a 

 mouthful of greens. Being one day seized with 

 a periodical fit of madness, he broke his fetters, 

 and running through the market, put the crowd 

 to flight, and among others this woman, who in 

 her haste forgot a little child at her stall. The 

 elephant, recollecting the spot where his benefac- 

 tress was accustomed to sit, took up the infant 

 gently in lus trunk, and conveyed it to a place of 

 safety. 



At the Cape of Good Hope it is customary to 

 hunt those animals for the sake of their teeth. 



