158 
ELEPHANT, 
to the hospital to have his wound dressed, con- 
stantly attended of himself at the proper time, till 
it was healed. That the surgeon might operate, 
he readily extended himself on the ground. He 
bore with patience the application even of fire to 
bis wound. The acuteness of the pain would 
sometimes force from him a plaintive groan. But 
to the hand, who, by inflicting momentary torments, 
sought to accomplish his cure, he expressed none 
but emotions of gratitude. Gratitude is indeed 
represented by all who have had opportunities of 
observing his manners, as the most eminent fea- 
ture in the character of the elephant. At the 
sight or the cry of his master or benefactor in dan- 
ger, lie forgets all regard to his own safety. 
At Pondicherry, a soldier, who had used to 
share his arrack with an elephant, whenever he 
received his pay, happening one day to get drunk, 
was pursued by the guard, who meant to put him 
into confinement. He retreated under the belly of 
his friend, the elephant ; who, with his trunk, beat 
off his pursuers. The soldier fell asleep. When 
he awaked next day, having slept away his intoxi- 
cation, he was much alarmed to find himself 
under the belly of so enormous an animal. The 
elephant, however, eased his fears by caressing 
him with his trunk, and dismissing him in the 
most friendly manner. 
An elephant in Versailles was very carefully ob- 
served by the members of the French Academy of 
Sciences, and many other visitors. 
He discovered considerable penetration, seemed 
to know when he was mocked, and waited for an 
opportunity to revenge the affront. 
A man pretending to throw something into his 
mouth, made him gape for nothing. The disap- 
pointed elephant, in high resentment, knocked the 
wag down, and broke two of his ribs with a blow 
