z6 THE ELEPHANT. 



very thing that will pleafe him. He foon learns 

 to comprehend figns, and even to underftand the 

 expreflion of founds. He diftinguifhesthe tones 

 of command, of anger, or of approbation, and 

 regulates his actions accordingly. He never 

 miftakes the voice of his mailer. He receives 

 his orders with attention, executes them with 

 prudence and eagernefs, but without any degree 

 of precipitation ; for his movements are always 

 meafured, and his character feems to partake of 

 the gravity of his mafs. He eafily learns to 

 bend his knees for the accommodation of thofe 

 who mount him. His friends he careffes with 

 his trunk, falutes with it fuch people as are 

 pointed out to him, ufes it for raifing burdens, 

 and affifts in loading himfelf. He allows him- 

 felf to be clothed, and feems to have apleafurein 

 being covered with gilded harneis and brilliant 

 houfings; He is employed in drawing chariots*, 



ploughs, 



* I was aa eye-witnefs to the following fads. At Goa, 

 there are always fome elephants employed in the building of 

 fhips. I one day went to the fide of the river, near which a 

 large (hip was building in the city of Goa, where there is a large 

 area filled with beams for that purpofc Some men tie the ends 

 of the heavieft beams with a rope, which is handed to an ele- 

 phant, who carries it to his mouth, and after twilling it round 

 his trunk, draws it, without any condu&or, to the place where 

 the fhip is building, though it had only once been pointed out 

 to him. He fometimes drew beams fo large, that more than 

 twenty men would have been unable to move. But what fur- 

 prifed me ftill more, when other beams obftructed the road, he 

 elevated the ends of his own beams, that they mightrun eafily o- 

 ver thofe which lay in his way. Could the molt enlightened man 



do 



