ELEPHANTS. 
My first experience with elephants commenced in Exeter 
’Change, in the Strand, where, as I have before stated, I 
became acquainted with Mr. Cross, the then proprietor of 
the menagerie. I well remember the killing of the elephant 
Chimie in 1826, as I was present on that occasion. 
Being so young I was much alarmed, more on account of 
the fury of the charges he made on the front of the den 
than at the firing of the soldiers. The great fear expressed 
by all present was that he would break out, as had he 
done so the whole floor of the building would have given 
way under his weight and he would have landed in the 
Bazaar in the Strand beneath. 
In 1847 the large male elephant. Jack, died in the 
Zoological Gardens. I was sent for to skin and prepare the 
skeleton of this huge animal. Professor Owen, Professor 
Rymer Jones and other anatomists were present on the 
occasion, taking notes and assisting in the dissection. By 
the accidental breaking of the tackle used in lifting the 
body of this ponderous brute I was nearly crushed to death, 
and Professor Owen, while endeavouring to remove the 
brain, so lacerated his hands against the ragged edge of 
the skull-bones that an alarming and dangerous illness 
was the result ; in fact, it was thought for some time that 
his life was in danger. Since this event I have had con- 
siderable experience in skinning and preparing large 
animals. The various proprietors of menageries would 
