](52 THE ELEPHANT. 



and the musicians began to play. The music no sooner 

 struck their ears, than they ceased tVom eating, and 

 turned in surprise to observe whence the sounds 

 proceeded. At sight ot the gallery, ttie orchestra, 

 and the asse nbled spectators, they discovered con- 

 siderable alarm, as though the)^ imagined there was 

 some design against their safety. But the music 

 soon overpowered their fears, and all otiier emotions 

 became completely absorbed in their attention to it. 

 Music of a bold and wild expression excited in them 

 turbulent agitations, expressive either of violent joy, 

 or of rising fury. A soft air performed on the 

 bassoon, e\ identlv soothed them to <Tentle and ten- 

 der emotions. A gay and lively air moved them, 

 especially the female, to demonstrations of highly 

 sportive sensibility. Other variations of the niusic 

 produced corresponding changes in the emotions of 

 the Elephants. 



Some of the Indians who believe in transmigra- 

 tion of souls, are persuaded that a body so majestic 

 as that of the Elephant, must be animated with the 

 soul of a great man or a king. In many of the 

 Eastern countries the white Elephants are regarded 

 as the living manes of the Indian emperors. Each 

 of these animals has a palace, a number of domes- 

 tics, and magnificent trappings ; and eats out of 

 golden vessels filled with the choicest food. They 

 afe absolved from all labour and servitude. The 

 emperor is the only person before whom they 

 bow the knee, and their salute is returned by the 

 monarch. — When the king of Pegu walks abroad, 

 four white Elephants^ adorned with precious stones 



