3<> 
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
Fig. 5. — Driving hook 
made entirely of iron. 
charge of an irascible fitful keeper, who first negligently indulged,, 
and then wantonly punished her. A rider who ordinarily shouts- 
out his words of command in a needlessly 
harsh and loud voice, and who extensively 
and passionately employs the goad (see 
Fig. 5), is usually of this class. In timber 
working many elephants are ruined in this 
way ; hence the danger in changing drivers. 
The essence of good riding consists in con- 
trolling the animal entirely by word of 
command, and the proper application of the 
knees and feet ,when necessary. There 
is a word in Burmese which describes a 
good driver as a " knee rider." Elephant- 
keepers are a peculiar class of men, who 
require delicate handling, but with a little 
tact much good can be got out of them. 
Elephant driving is an art which takes some- 
learning ; good men know their value, so must be pampered a little ; 
they are well aware of the fact that most Europeans are ignorant 
as regards elephants and their management, and are consequently 
very often a little above themselves. One point in connection with 
elephants must never be lost sight of, namely, the importance of 
securing a maximum degree of permanency of the particular attendant 
of a particular animal. A keeper who is possessed even in a 
moderate degree of the qualifications already enumerated, and who 
has been with his elephant a sufficiently long time to have studied 
the peculiarities of his charge, has become invaluable to his employer. 
The knowledge in question can only be gained by experience, and 
lengthened individual observation ; it cannot be placed on record 
or otherwise handed down ; hence any animal placed in the hands 
of a succession of keepers is subjected to treatment extrem.ely 
calculated to prove prejudicial to its health, temper, and utility. 
Much ill success in the maintenance of elephant establishments is to 
a great extent traceable to this cause ; accordingly it will be found 
expedient to condone much in a good keeper. 
The common offence for which mahouts are dismissed is the 
appropriation to their own use, or sale for their own benefit, of the 
ratibs (special allowances, such as flour, rice) allowed by their 
employers. The best remedy for this is extra supervision and 
whenever practicable to make certain of the animals receiving 
their full daily allowance by having them fed in the presence of 
some trusted person. If this cannot be done, flagrant as is dis- 
honesty of this kind, a really good keeper should not be dismissed,.. 
