Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-16

Ears, eb,uary -:
The l-'keeosr ard he Elptan,-Y Yesterday the Tribu
nal Of the FIRST Instance was occupied with cause arising
out o the pranks Of that gravcst animals Elephant,
was an action OF damage brought--5 nnkeeper
ed Potter against NJ Carmel, owner OF the elephant, The
plaintiffs counsel made the following staemen-Towards
the end of last October NJ Carmel accompanied by his
elephant remarkably large and fine animal arrived a;
Po,eIS inn al Bourg-la Refine. The stable not havin,
been constructed for the reception of such quad
rupedS II became necessary take the pavement Under
The door way TO let the elephant Here he remained
quietly Installed for days. until the evening before the
'"F oi SAINT Martin His keeper had served him up a
very plentiful repasi consisting of five bundles Of hay
OF straw, and forty pounds Of bread which the animal
seemed 10 cH with Goo6 appetite. However, after
probably from having INDUCED freely in the pleasures
Of the table, he showed symptoms of i'll hurnour. The
keeper scolded him. but this only increased his irritation
and est!eSSncss and RECEIVING few applications
Eoad, he lest his temper completely and eudeavoured 10
destroy his keeper. Inc fed in alright, eavin, the
stable door open. The elephant then broke his hahn tore
the door from its hinges, aud sailed into the ward with
The most terrible cries. The first object he with was
carriage which he broke 10 pieces; he then up an iron
halustradug. and threw onc-horse chaise into the air.
which on falling dashed pieces He proceed
cd To the well, which. in the middle of the ward took
the rope i'll his trunk aud drew up the buckets which he
crushed 10 fragments against the parnpet the we'll Ike
then broke the rope III several pieces and scattered them
about the yard. The cries OF the keeper, and the noise
made by the elephant in his work of desruction soon
threw all the inmates OF the inn into CONSERVATION The
Eendarmes were sent for, and two of thcn with loaded
the night in watching, at respectful distance,
'e rrltatCi elephant, whose fury did Subsde till q
O'Clock IN the morning Here the counsel read the
uf the carpenters coachmakcrs smiths. &C. who had been
employed 10 repair the ravages by the elephant;
the whole amounted G63 francs CO cents Besides this
sum, he said his client had claim for months board and
lodging of the animal which could not the most mode
rate calculation, down less tina $50 francs The
defendant having paid only 900 francs on account he
claimed further of AIS francs 63 ccuts the balance
of fJ francs In conclusion he prayed the Court, that as
measure of security, his client might permitted to
rest the elephants wherever he should find him. NJ. icgcr
Dire, advocate, then for the elephant, and sad(en
emen as the parties formal issue as TO the facts
VIII he difficult for you properly appreciate their respec
tive allegations unless YOU order all parties concerned TO
appear III person before you My client does not deny that
the elephant made SOrfie and that some damage ensued
but ne insists that he has fully compensate the nain,
for that damage by the payment of hundrad francs
receipt for which produce AS 10 the accounts furnished
by the carpenters, smiths SC. they have been csmedly
got M for the occasou and frightfu picture of
rava5cs caused by the elephant drawn by the oppas,c
Counsel the court put their faith in III for if such
had been the the nnkccper would not 10 have had
process rcr6cl of the facts drawn up. The imaginary
pRToNysm OF fury attributed 10 the elephant libel on
his character for know what Button has said. lat
these animals naturally mild grave and full Of mode
ration After short reply from the plaintiffs Counsel
the court ordered that inquiry into real amount OF
The damages should be made by the Judge de Paix of
Bourg la Bcnc and that the parties person should come
before the count in cightLaYs.