185 
I had in my garden four antelopes that were become 
very tame. The play of these animals* when they are 
at liberty, is really attractive; they jump and canter in 
an astonishing manner. My gardeners were always at 
war with them, because they eat or destroyed the plants; 
but I took them under my protection, as the garden was 
large enough to make their consumption either of no 
importance, or hardly perceptible. As they were as 
tame as the storks, they always came about me at din- 
ner and supper; and these seven companions became 
my best friends. 
As I wished to keep the circuit of my dominion free 
from all bloodshed, I gave strict orders not to fire off a 
gun, or to kill any animal, by any means whatsoever. 
My intention was to give the birds a sacred asylum; and 
I can say, that the warbling of these many various kinds 
made a real earthly paradise of my Semelalia; so much 
so, that when I walked within the limits of my territo- 
ry, though without the walls, whole bands of partridges 
came about me; and the rabbits ran almost over my feet. 
I did my utmost to attract and tame all those animals; 
: and they answered my friendly intentions more cordially 
than many men, who call themselves civilized. 
The birds were so tame, that they came to eat the 
- crumbs which I threw to them; they frequented my 
rooms, and i slept with my curtains crowned with birds, 
enjoying their freedom in a country of slavery. I could 
however, never succeed in taming a stubborn chackal 
which had been given me* i had a small house built 
for him on purpose, and had him taken from his chain, in 
order to give him liberty in his new house; but he un- 
dermined the lower part of the wall and escaped, with 
as much skill or reason (I don't know which) $s any 
vol. i. • b b 
