WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY 



at the risk of the purchaser. To those who know the 

 size, weight, and strength of this ponderoiis creature 

 (certainly the largest elephant in Europe), the under- 

 taking is one of serious difficulty and not unattended with 

 some danger." 



When Elephant Bill (Newman), Mr. Bamum's man, 

 and Mr. Bamum's agent, Mr. Davis, had, after five or six 

 weeks, fruitlessly attempted to entice or force " Jumbo " 

 into the travelling box, they came to me seriously about 

 what was the best thing to do; at the same time Mr. 

 Davis said, if the Society would undertake to safely put 

 Jumbo on board ship, he was willing to pay £1000. This 

 offer was declined, at the same time a promise was given 

 to do the best to assist in carrying out the undertaking. 



Very considerable alterations were then proposed to be 

 made in the arrangements, but when the fresh plans were 

 perfected to every one's satisfaction, it was found that a 

 further difficulty existed ; that difficulty was, it was 

 imagined, caused by the unwillingness of Scott, the keeper, 

 to exert himself in the command he had over the animal ; 

 in fact, it was generally suspected that he was obstructing 

 the work of removal, and that his effort to box the elephant 

 was a sham. This caused me to ask Newman whether if 

 I removed Scott from the elephant-house, lie would under- 

 take the charge of the beast himself This he at once 

 consented to do. Having arranged this matter, I pro- 

 ceeded with Newman to the elephant-house, and calling 

 Scott outside, told him that it was my intention to send 

 him away from the Gardens for a time in order that 

 Newman should get accustomed to the habits and manage- 

 ment of Jumbo before he left England. At the same 

 time I remarked to Scott that Mr. Barnum had made 

 him a most liberal offer if he would accompany the animal 

 to America, and that his place would be kept open for 



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