ELEPHANT LIFE IN ENGLAND 
I 55 
To-day, though the public are ready to make the 
biggest elephant their greatest favourite, as in the 
case of the African “ Jumbo,” the keepers and trainers 
have little to say in favour of his kindred. Their 
opinion seems almost as unanimous as it is hostile. 
At the Zoo it is said that the Africans are “ stupid,” 
and therefore dangerous. For example, supposing 
an Indian elephant to be backing towards the wall, 
and so in danger of crushing its attendants, a push 
or a slap on its huge thigh will instantly be understood 
as a hint to move forwards, or to stop. The less 
careful African would probably take no notice of 
the warning, and the man must either slip on one 
side or be crushed. The trainer alleges that they 
have bad memories. This makes them uncertain 
performers in the ring. They will learn a few tricks 
without difficulty; but when called upon to show 
off in public, they are extremely likely to refuse their 
parts, and either to stand still, or bolt to their stable. 
There seems also to be a general feeling among circus 
attendants that they are unsafe. The fine young 
African elephant now at the Zoological Gardens has 
given far more trouble to its keepers than the two 
large Indian specimens during the far longer period 
of their sojourn in Regent’s Park. When quite a 
baby its obstinacy was as marked as their docility. 
The Indian pair would walk round the grounds with 
their keeper between them, the man placing a hand 
on each of their backs, and the two solemn little 
fellows walking in step on either side. The African 
