i/4 Anecdotal Naturae History. 



can restrain him during the short and distinct 

 intervals of excitement, and so enable him to enjoy 

 along life of petted luxury, than to destroy him in the 

 first heyday of youth. 



There is a stock argument very much in use by the 

 advocates of total abstinence, to the effect that man 

 is the only animal that will drink intoxicating liquors. 



It is a pity that they should employ such an argu- 

 ment, or rather, illustration, for most animals will 

 indulge in stimulants when they can obtain them. In 

 one of Charles Dickens's letters there is an amusing 

 account of a Newfoundland dog that used to go to a 

 public-house every morning, and have his pint of beer 

 " drawed reglar, as if he was a brickmaker." 



Wearied horses can be rendered capable of con- 

 tinuing their journey by the administration of a quart 

 of ale. Cows have more than once been known to 

 drink home-brewed ale that had been set outside the 

 farmhouse to cool, and to play the most ludicrous 

 antics in consequence of the indulgence. 



The elephant is no exception to the rule, but is a 

 most determined toper whenever he can find an 

 opportunity. 



A well-known writer and lecturer on total abstinence 

 lately cited "Jumbo" as a proof that the largest and 

 strongest quadruped in England was a teetotaler. 

 Had he made himself acquainted with the habits 

 of the animal, he would have found that "Jumbo," 

 like all of his kind, is inordinately fond of any 

 alcoholic liquid, preferring whiskey or any other 

 liquor. 



The Indian mahouts, when they have to teach 

 their animals any new accomplishment, always reward 

 them with arrack when they succeed, and the promise 

 of a bottle of arrack will always induce an elephant 

 to exert itself to the utmost 



