The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1808-11-12 00:00:00

ELEPII.4.Nr;.

AN ACCOVNT ON A MALE ANS IMMALE SIX.
PICINI*, KEPT IN TUg MENAGERIE Of TNS
OAROLN Utz PLANT*, AT PAW*. NY lON..
NINI. ..... . -4,1;
It is uot only in the mild temperature of lox- '
urious Asia, that man it proud of holding in depen-
dence the largeet, as well.fla the most intelligent of
animals. European prowler here sought to imitate,
in some degree, this Asiatic luxury; '4O hare bud
transported, from time to time, at ii Ittega expense,
elephants to be kept is their urrnsgeries, where
they necessarily lose a part of their lat.:tittles, as
eel, Cons the ilitlereuce of climate, as frees the '
NM ill and cot kk I 66 ell space 1.1 pmportion to their
hulk, which is necessarily allotted to them. kl.lint-
ever degrachation, however, results Coin seri:dude
and constraint; 'whatever alterations may be pro-
duced. not only in the native disposition: hut in the
external formation, by a less serene sky, and by a
less heated atalosplierer yet, even in these expatri-
ated elephants, may be found the 'sine qualities us
distinguish them when living in a state of libertv.
or rather in a state of voluntary doinlsstieity in their
natal country. I heir thought, therefore. th.t it
. would not be ii ii i ii terrsting to give it detail of the
observations which have been hitherto wads upon
the two elephants which have been bruti.tht up in
the menagerie of the Garden of Plants at Paris.
For the rester part of them, indeed, 1 am indebt-
ed to !Mammy, to whom natural history, in gene-
ral, is miller greet obligations, both fur the assi-
duity with which he collect« Wets, and the unwil-
bogne►s with which he communicate. them.
The two elephants, male and female, a Inch are
now at Paris, are, it is said, originally from Ceylon ;
they are about seventeen years old, and they were
not above too when they arrived in liAlniel for the
wierra4ene of the Stailibolder. Their size was theti
about that of 411 orilimiry ho se, and from that pe-
' rind they hate continued gradually to inemise.
It ens wet a small difficulty to convey these two
enormous alatlibes from Leo to Paris. They tried
unlay cages for the purpose ; the first, constructed
ton weak in the joints, was soon broken by the ele-
phants ; and they had a great %lea{ of trouble to
make them cuter a second ; Mc was it, till after
luav i lig habituated them to take their food in it, that
they sterceeded iti inelirsing each of them in sepa-
rate apartments. At first, they made incredible
efforts to break down the partition ; hut having
feunid that their endeavours were vain, they became
resigned, and remained tranquil during the rest of
the 'flunkey, which lasted for seven mouths.
Being detrined live months at Carobray, on ac-
count of the destruction of the road., they lost their
tusks iii come violent efforts which they mails from
being imprudeatly provoked. These tusks were
net above six inches in length ; and there is every
appearance that they will breed new ones as they
advslice in 4,...e.
The two moveable prison. in which these ele-
phants arrived, art preserved in the menisigerie at
Paris. While we contemplate the solidity of their
construction, we may judge of the constraint
which these animals must have endured divine, so
long a journey. Not being able to enjoy tiny pro-
gressive motion, they contracted a habit of ['alum:-
iii' themselves, but each in a different IllallafT...
The male, for example, advancing one of the front
feet, and drawing back one of the hind o►►es, on the
opposite aide, gave to his body is slow oscillation
back *arils and forwards ; the female was content
with lifting her heath up and down briskly.
They have a great deal of flexibility and sup-
pleness in the articulation of their joints ; they
early lend, and frequently lie and wallow about.—
The female usually sleeps in a recumbent posture,
but only during the night. The male does not lie
down so often, and it has been observed, that nei.
ther of them repose if they are agitated by any in-
quietude ; their sleep is not very profound, and
they spring up qinekiy at the least noise whiclsthey
bear; so much do they fearto be surprised, and to
be unable to employ all their strength in vise of
danger. T sis restless inquietude net er forsakes them.
It was with the greatest difficulty that they could
he indueini to enter the 41111111 int:leisure prepared
for them at the end of their stable, for the pur-
pose of enjoying the open air : hut this iiselosure
is its,faet too confined for animals of so vast a bulk.
The female. less cautious, or more curisms,-first

resolved to quit the stable ; but it was not tat after
much hesitation and many precautions. The male, '
more mistrustful, remained a long time without
(ferin.. to follow the female; but alter having exa-
mined their new inclusure, rad being convinced
there was no danger, they began to ruu about, and
to utter cries expressive of their contentment. At
first they shut the door of the stable, in order to
force them to remain in their sort of park ; but
the male, who perceived it, grew angry, and he
would have shattered the dooriu a thousand pieces,
if they had not quickly opened it—he then catered
the stable, and would not quit it ally more till the
next day. %%limb the two elephants have !teen a
long time confined. on adonast of the rain or cold
weather, they shew a great deal of pleasure at the
re,overy of a shadow of liberty. 'riais pleasure
they express by leaps, cries, peculiar muttons of
their blinks, tr..tting, lice. Often the female ap-
proaches towards the male. puts her trunk in his
eau. mid seems to whisper—sometimes, also, she
utters a shrill and piercing cry. Their first care,
when they enter their little park, is to run to a
trough which is kept full of water; they suck in
the water, and till their trunks with it, and they
spurt it out over each other'. body. When the
ground it saturated with the water thus thrown
about, they roll themselves on it; sod this habit is
a proof how much a pond. in which they could
bathe and wash themselves, would be agreeable.—
Both in the park and in the stable, they often throw
hay and even dung on their bodies. When in the
park, they oftetemake holes with their feet—they
calls et the earth together, and often carry it to
their mouths, end sometimes aeon r it over them-
seh es till they are wide dirty and dusty. Some-
times they throw or blow it ut the spectators, or at
the centialet, and even lit their cornak, (the groom
which attends them.) This is sometimes meant as
sport, and sometimes as a sign of impatience and
anger.
These animals are particularly find of breaking
whatever is within their reach: at is sit exercise or
their strength which seems to give great pleasure.
If they succeed so far as to bend whatever they wish
to break, they never cease till they hase accooes
phshed it ; but if their first efforts are not success-
ful, they never renew the attempt.
Though voracious eaters, they are. notwithstand-
ing,diecult and fastidious in their choice of food.
They separate their hay with x great deal of care ;
'they prefer grass, and they look for and rect the
small plants and the leaves which they find mixed
with it. They have been seen this year to separate
with great attention the leaves of a plaiutain, which,
the preceding year, they did not refuse to eat.
am astonished that. notwithstanding the knowledge
we bare of the manlier in which wild elephants uon-
rill] themselves, they do not offer to those of the
'menagerie bandies of trees, and even the whole
of young trees. which they woularlike to break and
eat.

Though not possessing many opportunities for ec-
veloping that intelligence whic:i renders this species
of animal so interesting, yet these elephants, not-
withstanding the constraint in which they constantly
lived, Kure many instances of sensibility, of reflec-
tion, and a sort of combination.

, Separated from each other during a long and te-
dious journey, the moment they met again was to
them a ino:nent of great joy. and to the observer of
nature, a curious event. when the female eutereil
the stable which was prepared for her, and which
was divided into two cornpartinents, communicat-
ing with each other by it door, she uttered first of
all cry expressive of her joy at beitigOt liberty :
she dal apt perceive the mate who was already in
the compartment, occupied in eating. Neither
did he thick that his companion was so near him ;
but the ertenek having called him, he turned round,
:!nd immediately these two animals ran towards
each other, and hegan to utter cries of joy so lively
and loud, that the w hole place shook: at the isms
time they made a sort of nose with their trunks,
which resembled a strong wind. The joy of the
female was the most impetuous, and she expressed
it particularly by a quick flapping of her ears,
which she moved like the wings of a bird, and with
an extreme celerity. She moved her trunk over
the body of the male with tenderness and delight ;
she directed it particularly towards his ear, where
she held it some time ; often, too, after having
passed it over the a note body of the male, she
brought it towards her own mouth. The male
also pawed his trunk over her body : but his joy
was more concentrated, and he seemed to express
it by tears, which flowed in abundance from his
eyes.
One of the Naturalists belonging to the Museum
of Natural History, wished one day to drew the
elephants. He was introduced into one of the
comportments; but his presence, from souse mo-
tive or other, displeased the animals. Hardly hail
the artist began his labours, when the male. with-
out being perceived, took out the peg with his
truuk, which kept the door fast, and opened it. He
was preparing to inflict vengt once on his victim, if
the female, who luckily beard the noise, had not
turned round, and placed herself suddenly across
the door to prevent the male from coming out ; she
drove him to the other side, and, with a blow of
the nose, in a contrary direction to that given be
the male, she closed the door spin : all which af-
forded time and opportunity for the artist to escape.
It is affirmed that. on this occasion, the physiogno-
my of the two animals assumed quite a different
appearance ; and. it is impossible to deny, that
their conduct was the result of a prompt, just. and
opposite combination.
A private transact, who was faithful to his trust,
when it was his turn to guard the elephants, forbad
visitors to give them any thing to eat. Such con-
duct was not calculated to gain their love: the fe-
male, in particular, viewed it with offence, and she
had alrently given proofs of her disgust by sprink-
ling his head with her trunk. But still the soldier
was strict to hisituty : and one day, when there was
• great !lumber of stseetators, he received first of all
some water on his head ; hut, continuing to forbid
any bread, &c. to be given to them. the female, ir-
ritated, seized his musket, turned it round with her
trunk, threw it to her feet, and did not quit it till
she had twisted it like a gun-worm.
Thew elephants appeared very sensible of Izmir,
it a concert, which war giveu to them by the per-
formers of the Opera. The -female, in particular,
„manic/I,ode, seemed to Isotope, herself in ca-
dmic*. anal to mark the measure.

THE ilf/thKErs.

CORN.EXCHANGE, NOV 1.1.
The quantities of Whilst here, this day, iii.A. the ~,,,o,
rat ker euusiderable ; the trade is dull tu nal«, ana 'br': ~ toprmtp, last prices. Barley and Malt art ime lasi 1ta,h1,;,;.,
.
Illate Peas rather lower ; in Grey, anal the two 5,,,l .4
Beans, but little vaiiatatia. Of Oats there are sufte Le.
foreign arrived, but the supply iu general is aga.o shalt, urn
thiarticler fulty maiutaina the late advauce. Float ream,
at cs
CURRENT PRICE OF GRAIN.
Wheat (new)...44a. 1581. 955. Rene* (01d)....76a 82r ,t 1
. .
:12. UPPB4:
.•
1.13$150:11.
..
:Tp.
..
pioci : : . d
.R:c. c
da. 1
.i s. . (.. 0..
.1
....................................
Fine ditto
It yr ..
Barley
Malt
%% Ipte Pam i
(hailers) Me Flour ........aas 9,,s
Grey Par ' 56s 625. Seconds ....... . „am ~.4
stsserirese e. ..__

SMITHFIELD,
This days iiinsfict had a pretty good *ay* eifftffetest
kinds of cattle. Pork is cheaper lhau our hisheipmet. rftt
is desert. Beef and Mutton support hut pins, sod dm
trade iu general was suusewhat Sot. The soles is Ws Hvy.
market were nut livel)—Hay has dropped is price non
Monday', market--Clover fetched • better price--stree
sold at last prices. We subjoin as accurate Eaten:lca 4
the prices awl numbers.
• To Wink tiro Offal per stone of bib.
Bed. 3s. Md. lots 6d. Head of Cattle this day
................... . ..
M attest ..... to 411.. ad. Riesmitu
Veal
Pork
Lan+ us. od. to os. ud. Pigs
ITHFIELD HAY-MARKET. -
Hay sl. s. id. to 41. to. od.
Ste sty
Clover.. 6i. os. od. to 'I. sOd. od.
PRICE OF HOPS.-----""
TOCEICTS. .
Pent, 31. Ilia. to 51 —.6
Susses, 11. ne. is Ws
Farnhautfil-__ns. to st as

111140 S.

Kent, 31.10 e to ♦I. Ifis.
Sussex, 31. tel Us.
Eoorz, ii. to. to 411. 44.

COAL-MAin
Ship. at Market. Soil&
7.•Piewertatic

Prom
I. a SA.

PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY. ene----
• per C...ar ltedseed 64
3 KrCAM. Consols .. . kit i •
. 4 pit Lest. es li 21
.3 per (Teat. Nary
Lout Annuities
Imperiel 3 per Cent. ' 6.-,1
Dials A per Cent fvf
Osoniuta. 1 f dia.
India Stuck as 11
I a.:ia Beads .... 6 7 prem..
Esti/inner Bills
Littlish Lottery Tickets
Consols fur 63
T. BUSH, Stock-Beek.;
4, Coruhill, and 9, Charing-C.ow
. .
COURSE OF EXCHANGE, Nor. /I.
Amsterdam—. 33 oft U. Venice. • se
Ditto at night.. se 5 , Naples...
11 ort, rdani..... to • 2 IT. Lisbon 631 '
Hainhurgli..... 31 3 93U. Oporto 6Ol ,
Alton - 31 4 91U. Dobbs Ol
Paris tclay'sdate 29 t 6
Ditt0.......... es 0 9 U. 11ULL1031.
Boer:knee 22 o Punnet Goldin Cele
Mail rill — in paper. sad Ran per oa. , ...
lisltu.
Palcriso —is paps New Dollars —'s it
Dino 44 Clita. Rare, in Ban — —'—
Balboa 4l New Louis such.. —.—.
Leghorn
Genoa so 5i per Cent.

Yesterday, in Thasies•tun, the wife of I. Bowyer Nl-
clots, Esq. of u son.
At R.vrh Mouse, Haat', the Lady of Charles Jell:Mem,
Esq. N.Y. of a deughtrr.
MARRIAGE.
On Thursday last, at ciaptitta, by the Rev. di-mediae Tyrrs
Barrett, Mr Lytton George Kim., of Bridgr.st,eri44is \fo•
&Liam!, the el:kr daughter of Jobs Bellamy, Esq. albs
Biome of

DEATH.
At path, on the 9th insiancrfter two drys illness, the asks.
Me Miff, Elizabeth Huns, daughter of Mr. Tbumas Huns.
of George-strtet.
•
HIGH WATER, THIS DAY, AT LONDON-ZR ;
Hors. tr..... trim. alter.. S I Cue. aa..seis. after... I