444- THEPHILOSOPHY 



ven and their fellow creatures, whom they afllft at the approach of 

 death, and, after their deceafe, bedew them with tears, and cover 

 their bodies with earth. 



"When tamed and inftruded by man, the elephant is foon render- 

 ed the mildeft and mod obedient of all domeftic animals. He loves 

 his keeper, carefles him, and anticipates his commands. He learns 

 to comprehend figns, and even to underftand the expreflion of 

 founds. He diftinguifhes the tones of command, of anger, and of 

 approbation, and regulates his adtions by his perceptions. The voice 

 of his mafter he never miftakes. His orders are executed with ala- 

 crity, but without any degree of precipitation. His movements are 

 always meafured and fedate, and his charadler feems to correfpond 

 with the gravity of his mafs. To accommodate thofe who mount 

 him, he readily learns to bend his knees. With his trunk he falutes 

 his friends, ufes it for raifing burdens, and affifts in loading himfelf. 

 He loves to be clothed, and feems to be proud of gaudy trappings. 

 In thefouthern regions, he is employed in drawing waggons, ploughs, 

 and chariots. * I was eye-witnefs,' fays P. Philippe, ' to the follow- 



* ing fads. At Goa, there are always fome elephants employed ia 



* the building of (hips. I one day went to the fide of the river, 



* near which a large fhip was building in the city of Goa, where 

 ' there is a large area filled with beams for that purpofe. Some 

 ' men tie the ends of the heavieft beams with a rope, which is hand- 



* ed to the elephant, who carries it to his mouth, and, after twifting 

 ' it round his trunk, draws it, without any condudor, 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 furprifed 

 ' me ftill more, when other beams obftruded the road, he elevated 

 ' the ends of his own beams, that they might run eafily over thofe 

 ' which lay in his way. Could the moft enlightened man do 



* more? 



