The chiefest action for a human being
Is never to be out of action. We should think
The soul was never put into the body,
Which has so many rare and curious pieces
Of mathematical motion, to stand still.
The frolic of the preceding day had not rendered the children inattentive
to their lessons, when they arose from their peaceful repose, but on
the contrary the new ideas they had acquired, served but to animate
them to greater acquisitions; and Mr. and Mrs. Monson had just reason
to be pleased with their diligent attention to their several pursuits.
Joanna, who was receiving instruction in drawing from her mamma, felt
more than usual emulation when she recollected the beautiful sketches
of her grandpapa, and wondered if she should ever be able to draw like
him. “Doubtless you will, my love, if you apply, and practise as I wish
you, fully accomplishing one study before you proceed to another: it
is by attempting too much at a time, that so many young people never
obtain a facility in doing any thing properly. Nothing can be effected
without industry, patience, and perseverance; and there are few things,
within the compass of human knowledge, but may be effected with these
assistants. Having been accustomed to use your pencil nearly ever since
you could hold one, I have great hopes that you will obtain that freedom
and facility in its use, without which no one can make an accurate and
pleasing drawing. You have sketched these sheep very well; I suppose I
shall have you trying an elephant soon?” “No, mamma, it is not pretty
enough to induce me to sketch it; but I do like to hear my grandpapa
describe its sagacity and gentleness. I wonder when we shall go to C——
again?” “That seems very uncertain, from the gloomy state of the day,
my dear; but if you are not able to repeat your visit to the elephant,
you have seen enough to give an interest to all you may see or hear
respecting such a wonderful animal; and you know I have always told you,
that cultivating your talents and expanding your mind, by improving
reading and conversation, not only opens to you many sources of
pleasure unknown to the ignorant and the idle, but also gives additional
gratification in viewing any object of taste and curiosity, and not
only this, it prevents the feeling of disappointment becoming painful
when any circumstance prevents the fulfilment of engagements like that
the kindness of your grandpapa made with you: for not depending upon
one species of pleasure alone, a cultivated mind is never at a loss for
employment and subjects of interest.”
Joanna and her brother fully verified this observation of their mamma.
Several days of nearly incessant rain and storm prevented all possibility
of repeating their visit to C——, and when at length the sky cleared,
they saw their grandpapa coming up the avenue, they were so fully engaged
in their different avocations, that they were easily reconciled to the
account he gave them, namely, that discouraged at the state of the
weather, which precluded people going to the menagerie, the proprietor
had left C——; “therefore,” added Mr. Elmer, “we must be content with
what we have seen, and perhaps I may afford you some further amusement,
my children, with this sketch-book Alan found out this morning, as it
contains a great many delineations of Asiatic animals, particularly of
the elephant, employed in the various uses to which its great strength
and sagacity are applied. I am come to pass the day with you, if you
will spare me a piece of pudding; and Mary desires I will distribute
these cakes among you.” This self-invitation gave universal satisfaction.
Every one was most willing to give up their share of pudding to dear
grandpapa, and Mary’s cakes were pronounced most delicious. Ellen had
climbed the envied seat, grandpapa’s knee, and now whispered in his ear
“grandpapa, did the elephant shew Mary how to make the nice cakes?” This
question was asked by an artless child of her grandfather. For Ellen
thought, from their excellence, they must be the handy work of the clever
animal of which she had heard so much. “Indeed, little pet, I am not in
the secret of their composition, but I am very glad they are good, and
please you; I am not come, however, to disturb lessons, we shall have
plenty of time; so now off with you at present, while I go and have a
chat with your papa.” The children without hesitation retired to their
lessons. After an early dinner, the children were invited to grandpapa,
who unfolding his sketch-book resumed his anecdotes of the elephant.
The first drawing exhibited was a view of an Indian camp. The tents were
white except the mogul’s, which was red, and loftier and more superb than
the rest; it was encompassed by an enclosure about ten or twelve feet in
height, and guarded by chosen troops. The officers’ tents encircled the
emperor’s, arranged according to the respective rank they bear in the
army. “The soldiers are attended by their families on these occasions,”
observed Mr. Elmer, as he pointed out several carrying their provisions
on their heads and the vessels for dressing their repast; whilst their
arms were carried by their wives, followed by several children. “In
fact,” said Mr. Elmer, “when this eastern monarch takes the field, there
is a much greater parade of magnificence than there is of proper warlike
spirit. He is attended by his court, his elephants, and almost all the
inhabitants of his capital; for there is in the centre of the camp a
sort of town, wherein are shops and magazines, where trades are carried
on as in a city. But here, children, is what I wish you to observe,
you see those finely caparisoned elephants?” “Yes, grandpapa, and what
have they got upon their backs?” “Those are small towers, containing the
wives of the emperor. Would you like, Joanna, to be shut up in a tower on
the back of an elephant?” “Oh no, indeed, grandpapa.” “Then bless God,
my dear, you are not an Asiatic, but breathe the free air of Britain.”
“Ah, mamma often says she is proud of being an Englishwoman; surely
those poor ladies must be very unhappy. Who takes care of them when they
are riding upon the elephants?”—“They are attended by guards, appointed
for the purpose, my dear; and are not so unhappy as you may suppose,
being accustomed from infancy to confinement, and to be subservient to
the will of their lord. In this part of the camp, you may observe the
elephants who carry the small cannon; they are fired from that situation.
Every rajah, or great officer, as well as the sovereign, rides upon an
elephant; and the eyes of the whole army are fixed upon their prince. If
he fall, it is concluded he must be slain, and the troops all disperse.
Thus frequently they change the fortune of the day, as the result might
be favourable did they possess firmness and proper discipline. Elephants
bred to war, and well disciplined, I have been assured,” added Mr.
Elmer to his attentive auditors, “will stand firm against a volley of
musquetry, and never give way unless severely wounded. I have seen one
of those courageous animals with upwards of thirty bullets in the fleshy
parts of his body, and yet perfectly recovered from his wounds.” “Poor
thing,” said Joanna, “how much it must have suffered; I wonder how they
could do any thing to it, to cure the wounds.”
“Their intelligence is wonderfully displayed on these occasions,” replied
Mr. Elmer, “I had once an opportunity of observing the wonderful patience
and sagacity of an elephant, which had received a desperate flesh wound
from a cannon ball. After having been twice or thrice conducted to the
military hospital, where he patiently extended himself to have the
wound dressed by the surgeon, he would afterwards go thither alone.
The surgeon did whatever he thought necessary, applying sometimes even
fire to the wound, and though the acute pain of this application caused
the poor animal to utter the most plaintive cries and groans, he never
expressed any other tokens than those of gratitude to the surgeon, who
by these momentary torments effected his cure after a considerable lapse
of time. I have also been informed of another instance of the remarkable
sagacity displayed upon a somewhat similar occasion. A young elephant
had in the field of battle received a violent blow in its head, the pain
of which rendered it so frantic and ungovernable, that it was found
impossible to have the part properly dressed: for whenever any one
attempted to approach it, it ran furiously off, suffering no one to come
within several yards of it. The man who had the care of it at length
devised a plan for securing it. By a few signs, he gave the mother of
the animal sufficient intelligence of what was required to relieve the
wound inflicted on the young one. The sensible creature instantly seized
it with her trunk, and held it firmly down, though groaning with agony,
while the surgeon dressed the wound; and this service she continued
to perform till the animal was perfectly recovered. In many parts of
India, also, my dears, as you see in this terrible drawing,” said Mr.
Elmer, as he turned over the leaves of his book, “elephants are made
the executioners of justice, for with their trunks they will break every
limb of the miserable criminals, trample them to death with their feet,
or transfix them with their tusks, as they are directed.” “You mentioned
the eastern monarchs being borne on elephants to the field of war, my
dear sir,” said Mr. Monson, “you doubtless recollect that part of the
apocryphal history of our bible, in which it is stated that the elephants
of Antiochus were provoked to fight by showing them the blood of grapes
and mulberries; and to every elephant they appointed a thousand men,
armed with coats of mail, and five hundred of the best horsemen. These
were ready on every occasion; wherever the beast was, and whithersoever
he went they went also; and upon the elephants were strong towers of
wood, filled with armed men, beside the Indian that ruled them.” “Yes! I
well remember the passage,” replied Mr. Elmer, “and with the recollection
is associated that instance of patriotic self-devotion exhibited in the
action of Eleazer, surnamed Savanar, who perceiving that one of the
elephants, armed with the royal harness, was higher than any of the
others, supposed the king was upon him. He accordingly, it is related,
put himself in jeopardy, to the end he might deliver his people, and get
himself a perpetual name. Wherefore he ran upon him courageously, through
the midst of the battle, slaying on the right hand and on the left,
so that they were divided from him on both sides. Which done, he crept
under the elephant, and thrust him under, and slew him; whereupon the
elephant fell down upon him, and there he died.” A general exclamation
of surprise, not unmingled with horror, at this catastrophe, was made by
the children, “And was the king killed, too, grandpapa?” “No, my dear;
for it is stated, the rest of the Jews seeing the strength (or power) of
the king, and the violence of his forces, turned away from them. Thus by
not following up the bravery of Eleazer, they defeated the sacrifice he
had made of his own life.” “Look here, Ellen,” said Joanna, as she drew
her attention to a drawing Mr. Elmer displayed, “here is a pretty little
child; grandpapa will explain why it is so near that great elephant.” “I
will so, my dear,” said Mr. Elmer, as he placed Ellen so as she might
easily look at the sketch. “The elephants that are trained to carry the
luggage of the armies in India, are each under the care of a native
Indian; and in an instance of this kind here sketched, the keeper and
his wife went, as was their practice, into the woods to collect leaves
and shoots of trees for his food, having fixed him to the ground by a
length of chain, and leaving their little child (unable to walk) under
the protection of the sagacious animal, who not only always defended it,
but as it crept about, would, when it arrived near the extremity of the
chain, wrap his trunk gently round its body, and place it again in the
centre of his circle.” Ellen shrunk at the idea of being lifted up by an
elephant. “They say,” observed Mr. Monson, “that in crossing the north
bridge at C—— yesterday morning, the caravan containing the elephant was
racked so much, it was feared the whole would have been precipitated into
the river. This account reminded me of a circumstance which occurred
when I was in Holland. Two elephants on their arrival in Holland, as
presents to the stadtholder, were conveyed in a vessel up the river Waal
to Nimeguen, whence they were driven on foot to Loo. The attendants had
the greatest difficulty in inducing them to cross the bridge at Arnheim.
The animals had fasted several days, it was therefore thought certain
that placing food on the opposite side of the bridge would induce them
to pass it. Still, however, some time elapsed before they would venture
themselves upon it; and even at last they did not take a step without
first examining the planks to see that they were firm. During the time
they were at Loo, they were so tame as to be suffered to range at
liberty. They would sometimes come even into the banqueting-room, when
the company were assembled to dinner, and receive fruit from different
individuals of the party. After the conquest of Holland, in consequence
of the cruelty of many persons who crowded to see them, they lost much
of their gentleness. They were subsequently conveyed to Paris, where
they are confined in cages and are even become almost ferocious towards
spectators. They are not suffered to range at liberty, but are kept in an
enclosure sufficiently large to allow them some exercise. This enclosure
contains their den and a pond or reservoir, in which during summer they
frequently bathe and refresh themselves.
“Here are two drawings,” said Mr. Elmer, “representing the elephant
engaged in useful labour. I was induced to sketch the scenes from the
novelty of them to an European eye, and also as displaying the importance
of these animals in a country, the enervating heat of which renders
manual labour so distressing. To give an idea of the labour an elephant
performs, it may be sufficient to remark that all the heavy packages,
sacks, bales, casks, &c. transported from one place to another in India,
are carried by elephants, which bear their burdens on their backs, their
necks, and their tusks; and even their mouths are employed, by giving
them the end of a rope, which they hold fast with their teeth. Uniting
their wonderful sagacity with their strength, they are never known to
injure or to break any thing committed to their charge. From the banks
of the rivers, they put the packages into boats, without wetting them,
laying them down in the gentlest manner and arranging them as they ought
to be placed, and when disposed in the places their masters direct, they
will try with their trunks whether the goods are firmly and properly
stowed, and if they find a tun or cask unsteady and likely to roll, they
will actually go of their own accord in quest of stones to prop and
steady it. A gentleman of my acquaintance was a spectator of the scene
described in this drawing. You see that ship building?” “Yes, grandpapa.”
“Well, the river here represented is a very fine one, called the Mandova,
upon the banks of which is the Portugueze settlement or city, called Goa,
built on an island of the same name, divided from the continent by this
river Mandova. You see on this side a large area, filled with timber in
preparation for ship building? At the time my friend visited the place
some men had tied the ends of a heavy beam with a rope, which was handed
to an elephant, who carried it to his mouth, and after twisting it round
his trunk drew the beam without any conductor to the place where the ship
was building. One of the elephants employed, sometimes drew beams so
large and heavy that more than twenty men would have been necessary to
move them. Judge then how valuable the services of the elephant must be.
But what excited particularly the admiration of this gentleman was, that
when other beams obstructed the road, the elephant elevated the ends of
the one he was conveying, that it might easily run over such as laid in
the way.” “That is indeed a wonderful instance of intelligence,” remarked
Mr. Monson, “and justly entitles the noble animal to be styled ‘half
reasoning.’”
“Here is another war scene, Harry,” said Mr. Elmer, again displaying his
drawing. “You perceive how this elephant is employed?” “Yes, he seems
pushing something up a high mountain.” “It is a piece of artillery,”
remarked Mr. Elmer, “his sagacity is very apparent in this service.
While the oxen, which you see are yoked to the cannon, make an effort
to pull it up the declivity, the elephant pushes the breech with his
trunk, and at each effort supports the carriage with his knee, which
he places against the wheel. He seems to understand whatever is said to
him, and to take the best means to effect the purpose desired. When his
conductor wants him to execute any painful labour, or difficult task, he
has only to explain the nature of it, and recite the reasons which should
induce him to obey. If this is done gently and encouragingly, success
is almost certain; for they have been known so docile, as to sacrifice
their lives to their exertions, rather than incur the displeasure or
contempt of their master. I was told a remarkable instance of this.
They were formerly used in India in the launching of ships; an elephant
was employed to force a very large vessel into the water, but the work
proved superior to his strength. His master, in a tone of sarcasm,
desired the keeper to remove ‘that lazy beast, and bring another.’ The
poor animal instantly renewed his efforts, fractured his skull, and
died on the spot.” “I am not sorry for his cruel master,” said Harry
indignantly, “he did not deserve to have such a noble beast. I dare say
he was sorry enough when the poor thing dropped down dead.”
“It is indeed basely cruel to tax the strength of any dumb animal beyond
its powers,” replied Mr. E.—“too many instances of this barbarity daily
occur to our observation: even this morning, as I was coming hither,
I met a man with a poor half-starved ass, on which he had placed two
immense trusses of hay and a sack of potatoes, with two boys seated
thereon nearly as big as the animal, each of them bearing a large basket
of turnips, and a huge stick with which they beat about the poor animal’s
head; while the brute who followed with a similar sort of bludgeon,
incessantly urged his poor slave on by beating it behind.” “These
instances of wanton cruelty, are indeed a disgrace to the lower orders of
our civilized land,” said Mr. Monson, “which nothing but the universal
dissemination of the compassionate doctrines of our religion can correct;
and it is some consolation to find, that the individuals we observe
guilty of these despotic acts of barbarity are generally ignorant of
the principles of religion. Melancholy as this reflection is, that men
_will_ remain in darkness while light is beaming on all sides, yet so it
is; and we have still to lament that numberless are the human beings who
know not or consider not that they will have to answer for every abuse
of the power given them over the inferior creation. Ever recollect, my
children,” added Mr. Monson impressively, “that the thoughtless cruelty
which we are now so frequently pained to witness towards the inferior
orders of created beings, would not disgrace any having the impress of
man, did they but know God and study his attributes. To you who do, I
trust I need not add, that as every creature is formed with a capability
of enjoyment, to deprive it of that right is an offence against Him who
created nothing in vain.” As Mr. Monson thought it was the most effectual
as well as the most valuable mode of education, to draw moral inferences
from passing circumstances, such reflections as the above were very
frequent in his familiar intercourse with his children, who so far from
considering them sermonizing, naturally desired his remarks, and were
grateful for them.
“The tusks of the elephant are called ivory, are they not, grandpapa?”
inquired Harry. “Yes, my dear; they are not visible when the animal is
very young, but as it advances in growth, they are very conspicuous, and
in the full grown animal measure sometimes ten feet from their sockets,
weighing one hundred pounds each, and sometimes much heavier. The tusk
is hollow to a certain height, and of a hard, solid, and firm substance,
and being capable of a high polish, many beautiful toys and ornaments
are formed of it. The Chinese and other Asiatics manufacture the ivory
into toys of the most exquisite beauty, and of such extreme delicacy as
scarcely to appear the work of human ingenuity. Indeed of this product
of the wonderful elephant, some of the most admirable ornaments of the
eastern palaces are formed. You remember, my children, that Solomon
made him a great throne of ivory.” “Yes, grandpapa,” said Joanna, “that
was one of the beautiful things that excited the surprise of the Queen
of Sheba, when she visited Solomon.” “It is described in the bible,”
observed Harry, “as being overlaid too with pure gold; and steps, and
a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on
each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:
and twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the
six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.” “Dear Harry,”
said Joanna, without raising her eyes from the drawings, “how well you
remember the description of Solomon’s beautiful throne.” Harry laughed,
and produced his pocket bible, from which he had read the account.
“That was very magnificent,” observed Mr. Elmer, “it was the king’s seat
of judgment, and of public audience; where he showed himself to the
nobles and strangers who resorted to him. It was placed, we are told by
the Jewish historians, in the midst of a flight of rich pillars of cedar,
curiously carved and covered, or rather inlaid with gold. The ascent,
as Harry has just read, was by six steps, each step being supported on
either side by a small lion, and the arms of the seat with two as large
as life. All these, and even the steps themselves, were covered with
ivory and gold. There is no mention of ivory till about Solomon’s time.
Perhaps he brought elephants out of India, or at least caused a great
quantity of ivory to be imported from thence.”
“Surely, grandpapa, there was never any thing so magnificent as the
throne of Solomon; indeed all that he had,” remarked Harry. “Though at
that time it undoubtedly was unequalled, my boy, yet in after ages we
find many accounts of things constructed with great magnificence. [_Note
2._] The throne of the Parthian kings was of gold, encompassed with four
golden pillars adorned with precious stones. The Persian kings are stated
to have sat in judgment under a golden vine, and other trees of gold, the
bunches of whose grapes and other fruits were composed of jewels.”
“As you seem to have got upon a magnificent subject,” said Mr. Monson,
“of thrones, and gold, and precious stones, perhaps the description of
the great mogul’s famous peacock throne, as given by Tavernier, may
entertain you.” “Oh yes, papa,” exclaimed both the children at once.
“Well, then, cautioning you not to think I am going to read you a fairy
tale, I will fetch the volume from my study.” “Thank you, papa.” In a
few minutes, Mr. Monson returned with the volume, from which he read as
follows:—
“The great mogul has seven thrones, some set all over with diamonds,
others with rubies, emeralds, and pearls. But the largest throne is
erected in the hall of the first court of the palace. It is in form like
one of our field beds, six feet long and four broad. I counted about a
hundred and eight pale rubies, in collets, about that throne, the least
whereof weighed a hundred carats,[1] but there are some that weigh two
hundred. Emeralds I counted about a hundred and forty, that weighed some
three score, some thirty carats. The under part of the canopy is entirely
embroidered with pearls and diamonds, with a fringe of pearls round the
edge. Upon the top of the canopy, which is made like an arch, with four
panes, stands a peacock with his tail spread, consisting entirely of
sapphires and other proper coloured stones. The body is of beaten gold,
enchased with numerous jewels, and a great ruby adorns his breast, to
which hangs a pearl weighing fifty carats. On each side of the peacock
are two nosegays, as high as the bird, consisting of various sorts of
flowers, all of beaten gold enamelled. When the emperor seats himself
upon the throne, there is a transparent jewel with a diamond appendant
encompassed with rubies and emeralds, so suspended that it is always in
his eye. The twelve pillars also that uphold the canopy, are set round
with rows of fair pearl of the most exquisite water. At the distance of
four feet upon each side of the throne are placed two umbrellas, the
handles of which are about eight feet high, covered with diamonds; the
umbrellas themselves being of crimson velvet, embroidered and fringed
with pearl. This is the famous throne which Timour began and Shah Johan
finished, and is really reported to have cost one hundred and sixty
millions and five hundred thousand livres.”[2]
“To us,” observed Mr. Elmer, “to whom jewels are so comparatively rare,
as well as the precious metals, the eastern profusion of both seems
almost a fable. We are told of a Prince of Persia who had two troops
of guards, consisting of a thousand men each; one troop of which bore
maces of gold, each weighing a thousand crowns; the other carried
maces of silver of the same weight. These were his ordinary guard, and
upon extraordinary ceremonies each horseman carried his mace upon
his shoulder. I have frequently seen the slaves or servants of the
Mahotta chiefs running before them with gold and silver staves of rich
workmanship; they are called chopdars, and are a sort of heralds who sing
the praises of their chiefs, proclaiming their titles in the hypobolic
style of the east. To their lord, for instance, is generally ascribed
the power of ‘levelling mountains, of exhausting the ocean, of awing the
earth, and making the people tremble at his nod.’”
“What nonsense, grandpapa.” “I think it wicked, Harry,” said Joanna, “to
flatter people so; it is that perhaps that makes great men so proud.”
“There are but too many instances of its having this effect, my dear.
The adulation which the potentates of the east receive from their
slaves, fosters the pride too natural to the human heart, and leads to
many oppressive and cruel acts; which might be much enlarged upon. But
leaving this subject, let me remind you of one quality possessed by the
elephant I had forgotten to name, that is, its sensibility to music,
respecting which there are many anecdotes; one only I will relate. A
band of music was placed in a gallery, which surrounded the upper part
of the building in which two elephants were confined. Some provision
they were fond of was given them, in order to engage their attention,
and the musicians began to play. The sound no sooner struck their ears,
than they ceased to eat, and looked about with surprise to discover from
whence the sounds proceeded. At sight of the gallery, the orchestra,
and the spectators assembled to view the effect of the experiment,
they discovered considerable alarm, as though they imagined there was
some design formed against them. But the harmony soon appeared to have
lulled every fear; all other emotions becoming completely absorbed in
their attention to it. Strains of a bold and wild expression excited
in them turbulent agitations, expressive either of violent joy, or of
rising fury. A soft air performed on the bassoon evidently soothed
them to gentle and tender emotions. A gay and lively air moved them to
demonstrations of sportive sensibility; whilst other variations of the
harmony would not fail to produce corresponding changes in the motions of
these susceptible animals.”
“I should suppose,” remarked Mrs. Monson, who had entered the room to
hear this anecdote, “that the discovery of this susceptibility to ‘sweet
sounds’ will be found useful in taming and regulating this wonderful
animal. It is a remarkable circumstance that the most intelligent of the
brute creation, such as the dog, the horse, &c. have this susceptibility
to variation of sound. Our Fanchon is an instance of this. There are
tones on the piano which seem to agonize her, and others from which she
appears to feel as much pleasure.” “Oh yes, mamma, there is that little
Polish dance we all like so, seems to please Fanchon as much as any of
the party, and the Scotch air you and I love so dearly, seems to give her
as much pain as if she were caught in a trap.”
All laughed, and agreed with this remark of Joanna’s, and said it was
strange, passing strange! “But now we must have the book put aside,
my dears,” said Mrs. Monson, “grandpapa has been very good to indulge
you so long. Tea is now waiting, and as the evening has turned out so
stormy, I shall keep your grandpapa with us to night; therefore to-morrow
perhaps he will allow you another peep at his sketches.” The children
assured that every due indulgence would be granted them, then vied with
each other who should soonest be ready to conduct grandpapa into the
drawing-room, and having taken a merry tea, they accompanied their mamma
to the nursery, not however till they had returned to the parlour a
short time, to bid their grandpapa good night, and to promise they would
call him in the morning, as he had petitioned they might be allowed to
breakfast with him.