! 



64 



A PLEA FOR THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT, 



cannot be tamed ; this is stuff and nonsense. We 

 have abundant proof that the ancients did it. Then 

 why should not we ? But if any fear 'should exist in 

 reference to the males becoming troublesome at cer- 

 tain seasons, emasculate those that are not required 

 for breeding purposes. It is no more cruel to do so 

 to them than it is to our horses, and the result has 

 been proved to be equally satisfactory. This infor- 

 mation I derived from resident half-bred Portuguese 

 on the Zambesi, and I have had it confirmed by coun- 

 trymen who traded in that neighbourhood. 



If the young are captured at an early age — speak- 

 ing from my own knowledge — they soon become 

 attached to all persons that treat them with kindness, 

 and submit at once to be ridden or to carry a pad. 

 With such a start, half the battle is fought, for, with 

 constant handling and repetition of these exercises 

 from childhood to maturity, there can scarcely be 

 grounds for imagining that they would desire a life 

 which they had forgotten, or to return to freedom, 

 which they comparatively never knew. Arguments 

 in favour of what I have written could be advanced 

 without number. It remains to be seen whether the 

 directors of the South African Company will profit 

 by the above advice which I here tender them. 



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