The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-02-28
From the National Intelligencer. |
THE ELEPHANT


This gigantic being SCENE to possess,
IN some measure, a culiivatiDg power.
his re infer from the following fact
which we Witnessed: He was confined
IN small and uncomfortable place
! where temporary shade was erected
for him. The weather was extreme
" bot and The sensibility OF the poor
aniaal had been frequently tortured by
The cries OF distress proceeding from a
dog belonging TO his master, on whom
The ysitsDts inflicted pain, 10 witness
The distress OF his gigantic protector
\ every cry the elephant would groan
aad when the dog was admitted TO his
presence again, he would pass his loot
slightly over the back of the animal as
If he endeaVored to soothe his suffer-
logs. Raving been often irritated ia this
manner, the apimal grew furious and
nngoyernable al last, and his proboscis
flew in rapid circles, denoupcing veu-
geance on the prosecutors Of his hum
Bile freed. He repeatedly smote with
his trunk the boards that formed his
prison, he first touched them with the
extremity of his proboscls by way of as
pertaining the strength of his confne-
ment; finding the resistance still effec-
tual, ne rolled it into partial knot, and
struck a harder blow this assault was
likewise unsuccessful; the coil was re-
doubled, and the assault made with aug
men,ed violence, but not sutflc.a at to de.
molish his prison walls. Repeated ex-
lperlments of this kind were made, and
al every abortive effect the size of the
weapon of defence and the strength al
the blow were reGoubled. At length
gathering up the proboscis into a circu.
lar compact knot, he smote the wal
viii, all his might, and the boards flew
like feathers before the blast, and h.
] stood al once emancipated aud Enlarged
: Here was a just and mechanical Calcutta
ton Of force; for the same strength
might have been applied in the frst on
set, and what we should have expected
| would have been done from the irritated
state of the formidable animal. Yet
exasPeKated as he was, he did not lose
his presence of mind, but calculated the
quantity of force necessary 10 effect his
enlargement. His generous friendship
for the dog was truly surprising. Pa
tient, mild and forbearing under person
al injuries, as if conscious of The pleni-
tude of his might, he would not suffer
with the same quietude an injury to the
humble friend. Confined as be once
was, in ferEy-boat, for the security of
the passengers, they deemed that this
dog might with impunity be assaulted
Some OF those busy aud meddling race
of animals who are the annoyance of all
company which they frequent, must
needs witness the disinteresied sufIerings
Of This animal. They began to torture
the dog, and the cry reached the ears
of the elephant. Resentment is fertile
in finding out means of annoyance, and
so it was proved on the present occasion.
The assailants were beyond The reach
of bis trunk, but the water was near.
Extending bis proboscis into the river,
he absorbed great quantities into his
chest, which he Immediately emptied.
! through the same channel, into the boat.
He began TO work lelsurely in the bush
ness of drowning the whole company ; al
first, apparently not experimenting any
counteracting exerlion; bur, when he
observed two hands employed in baiIlug
the water out, who al length became a
Iarmed for their safety, he redoubled his
exerions, pouring larger quantities Of wa
terand with more rapidityin his draughs,
as II determined 10 accomplish his object.
The men employed TO bail the water
were obliged to redouble their alacrity
also bli in this strange contest for supe-
riority, the boat reached the land before
the victory was decided. Thus was the
safety of whole company put in jeop-
ardy by that busy and impertinent race
Of oilers, who seemed TO enjoy no other
pleasure but inflicting pain on their fell
| low men. This fact we have from one
of the company, which was trembling
witness of the spectacle. How wonder
ful was the dociiiy of this noble creature.
How often has he, as if endeavoring TO
shew with what dexterity the animal,
next in dignity to man, could initiate the
actions of man-how often has he un-
corked porter bottle, with the skill of
a tapsteF, and then, as satire on wine
bibbers, emptied the whole contents at a
draught.
The manner in which these creatures
ford rivers is peculiarly remarkable
I Unwilling to exert themselves more
than the occasion requires, they walk
upon the bottom until The waters cover
their heads. They then elevate their
trunks above the surface, and being sup.
Ipled with proper quantity OF all