A
VISIT
TO THE
ELEPHANT.
“O Lord, how manifold are thy works, in wisdom hast thou made
them all!”
BY THE AUTHOR OF
“_Samboe_,” “_Twilight Hours Improved_,” _&c._
LONDON:
BALDWIN, CRADOCK, AND JOY; HARVEY
AND DARTON; AND SWINBORNE
AND WALTER.
1825.
Swinborne and Walter, Printers,
Colchester.
[Illustration: _And in a moment the ever-welcome Visitant was seen
driving up the avenue._
_Page 29._]
A VISIT, &c.
CHAP. I.
Nothing can be more natural than the attachment and regard to
which the faithful services of our domestics are entitled; it
is a beautiful link in the chain of family charities, and can
only be severed by pride, by folly, or by vice.
It was one of those lovely mornings which frequently mark the declining
autumn in our variable climate, when summer as it were seems to linger
amid the decaying vestiges of her glory, and the deep verdure of the
vales affords a strong and lively contrast to the seared leaves, falling
in quick succession from the branches so late affording refreshing
shade to the traveller; when the stormy winds which had howled through
the quick-changing woods, swept over the fields divested of their waving
riches, and whose violence had awakened the sympathy of the compassionate
for the unfortunates exposed to elemental strife, had sunk into the
profoundest repose, and the fleecy clouds seemed still and motionless
as a flock of sheep slumbering in peace under the shepherd’s care:
every thing in nature breathing tranquillity, and disposing the mind to
gentleness and peace. It was on such a morning after nearly a sleepless
night, Mr. Elmer entered his breakfast-room, having taken his usual
morning’s stroll on the gravel terrace upon which the windows opened; he
had scarcely entered, before his old and faithful domestic attended with
the breakfast equipage, and having modestly and respectfully inquired how
he had passed the boisterous night, put the newspaper with other papers
upon the table, keeping one in his hand. “And what is that long paper,
Alan?” inquired Mr. Elmer; “why this your honour was given me as I went
for the rolls; it is an account of the wild beasts that are arrived at
C——” and he gave the paper to his master, who saw that it contained the
figures and description of an itinerant menagerie then exhibiting at the
town, in the immediate vicinity of which he resided.
“Dear, your honour,” said Alan, “sure Master Harry and Miss Joanna, and
may be my little favorite Miss Ellen, would like to see the elephant; _I_
really should, to see if it is as fine a one as those we used to admire
in India: you remember that fine beast at Calcutta in particular your
honour, as sensible as any Christian?” “Yes I do indeed, Alan;” replied
Mr. Elmer, with his accustomed affability; “and I think with you, that it
will be a great treat to the dear children, to see an animal which even
in its confined state, so greatly displays the wisdom of the Creator;
they cannot be too early acquainted with such proofs of his greatness
and goodness. Tell William to get the phaeton ready, and we will go for
them this lovely morning; you must also be our escort to the elephant,
Alan; for (he added with an arch smile), your old master is almost in
his second childhood, and there is no telling what effect the sight of
the huge elephant may have upon him.” “Bless your honour, when you talk
so, you make me feel so queer; but life and death are in the power of a
good GOD, and you have taught me my dear master, to submit every thing to
his will: I hope it is no sin to pray that as we have lived together, so
we may die together.” A tear of affection swelled in the eye of the old
domestic, as he regarded with a look of grateful veneration his beloved
master, whose fine mild and placid features, indicated a soul at peace
with itself, and in the habitual exercise of the best feelings of the
heart. “Well my good fellow, pour out my coffee, and let us lose no time
in fetching the young ones to this great sight: tell Mary they will dine
here, therefore not to forget the pudding.” Alan hastened to obey; and
while he is making his preparations, and his master takes his coffee, we
will introduce them a little more particularly to our young friends.