482 HISTORY OF 



(or in some ronrts of the more barbarous princes they are used 

 as executioners : and this horrid task they perform with great 

 dexterity: with their trunks they are seen to break every limb 

 of the criminal at the word of command ; they sometimes 

 trample him to death, and sometimes impale him on their enor- 

 mous tusks, as directed. In this the elephant is rather the ser- 

 vant of a cruel master than a voluntai-y tyrant, since no other 

 animal of the forest is so naturally benevolent and gentle ; equally 

 mindful of benefits as sensible of neglect, he contracts a friend- 

 ship for his keeper, and obeys him even beyond his capacity. 



In India, where they were at one time employed in launching 

 ships, a particular elephant was directed to force a very large 

 vessel into the Vifater : 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 



is often made a sufferer from the propensity of man to cruel sports. In 

 India, elephants are to this day baited ; and the native cliiefs and nobles at- 

 tach great importance to these displays. When Bishop Heber was at the 

 court of Baroda, " The Raja," he says, " was anxious to know whether I 

 Iiad observed his rhinoceros and his hnnting^ tigers, and offered to show me 

 a day's spfirt with the last, or to bait an elephant for nie ; a cruel amuse- 

 ment which is here not uncommon. — I do not tliink he understood my motive 

 for declining' to be present. A Mussulman, however, who sat near him, 

 seemed pleased by my refusal, said it was ' very good,' and asked me if any 

 of the English clergy attended such sports. I said it was a maxim with 

 most of us to do no harm to any creature needlessly: which was, he said, 

 the doctrine of their learned men also." At the palace of Jyepoor, says the 

 same hinnano person, " we were showTi five or six elephants iu training for 

 a figlit. Each was separately kept in a small paved court, with a little litter 

 hut very dirty. They were all what is called ' must,' that is, fed on stim- 

 u'ating substances to make them furious; and all showed in their eyes, 

 their gaping mouths, and the constant motion of their trunks, signs of fever 

 and restles.-ness. Their mohouts seemed to approach them with great 

 caution ; and on hearing a step they turned round as far as their chains 

 would allow, arid lashed fiercely with their trunks. I w;is moved and dis- 

 gusted at the sight of so noble creatures, thus maddened and diseased by tlie 

 .ibsurd cruelty of man, in order that they might for his diversion inflict fresh 

 pain and injuries on each other." 



