348 ON THE 



brought his character, as nearly within the truth, 

 as our confined knowledge of the subject will 

 admit. 



But his natural docility of temper is some- 

 times interrupted by temporary fits of insanity, 

 which render it extremely hazardous to approach 

 him. This was fully verified in the noble Ele- 

 phant, then the property of Mr. Cro^s, of Exeter 

 Change, and which formerly was exhibited on 

 the stage, carrying on his back that accomplish- 

 ed actress, Mrs. Henry Johnson in the Panto- 

 mine of Harlequin Padmanaba. He at that 

 time was a most docile and sagacious animal, 

 and from his great size and various performan- 

 ces, had attracted much of the public attention. 

 He was a native of India, and measured from 

 ten to eleven feet in height, and weighed at least 

 by computation, between four and five tons; 

 consuming daily, three trusses of hay, about two 

 hundred weight of carrots, and from sixty to 

 eighty gallons of water, partly used for drinking, 

 and partly for ablution. 



It was about seven years ago, when he first 

 exhibited those symptoms of the malady, which 

 afterwards for security sake rendered it neces- 

 sary to destroy him. At the period now alluded 

 to, the keeper having gone into his den to exhi- 

 bit him, the animal refused obedience, and on 

 striking him with a slight cane as usual, the Ele- 

 phant violently threw him down. Another keep* 



