New Orleans daily crescent., 1859-11-17
The Master of the Savanna.


TO he Editors Of tie IlHadelpi.ia Dispatch, :
The following eloquent description of the instincts
and habits Of the wild bull extract from :" Nor
eau de ST. Merys description Of St. Domingo -
published in this city by subscription in 1906, in
two volumes, svo. The author lived several years
in the West Indies, and had been fellow member
with Robespierre of the French Assembly, through
whose prosecutions he left France and came to
Philadelphia. He wrote the work referred to in
French, and William Goblet translated it into
| English. Among the subscribers to the work are
| T(Dmothy Pickering, Secretary of State: Rufus
King, u 5. Senator; Cen Knox, vice-President
Adams, Benz. Franklin Bache, VIM Bingham, U.
s. Senator; Matthew Carey, P. S. Duponceau, Gen.
Rochambeau, and Volney, Talleyrand Perigord
and La Rochefoucauld Lainconrt, the three latter
persons being described as of Philadelphia The
article following is truly Homeric in style.
HIPPoNAX ROsET
1t is observed in the herds of horned cattle that
one bull assumes the empire over all the herd and
drives away every beast that gives umbrage to-
him. At his look, the other bulls grown up in the
herd retire. The cows their favors for
NM or at least if they wish to commit an act of
inidelity without exposing the favored lover they
are obliged to avoid his sultanic presence This
despot of the serago has no law but his will and
that will is an exclusive enjoyment. Nature how
eve er, raises him up enemies to dispute his empire.
AS soon as the age of desire arrives as soon as
love, that tumultuous passion, begins to warm the
heart of the young bull his courage awakens. and
he begins to mutiny against that sort of scrvitude
IN which he has been held by the king of the herd
First, he dares to stand in his way and seems to
remove nnwillingly at his approach; next, he re-
tires in broken mnrmurs: at last the day arrives,
when, fuil OF rage he presents him the menacing
points with which his front is armed. This excess
Of impudence inflames the old chief; he darts half
mad on the daring rebel. Accustomed to the COM
bat: proud of his domination, he nters roar that
strikes terror through the whole herd which, ter
riiied and immovable, fix their regards on the com.
batants, and seem to wait the decision.
In this struggle, generally unequal the young
bull more impatient than adroit spends his
strength in vain efforts, and is soon obliged to
avoid, by flight, the death that would consuminate
his punishment The vanquisher disdains to follow
him. Proud of having thus reinforced his author
ity, he contents himself with keeping the van.
pushed at u distance, and declaring by his proud
department that he is worthy of his rank Ii even
seems that the herd affect to renew their homage.
and express their satisfaction at his triumph
sometimes, however, such an event causes the
formation OF a new herd some of the cattle follow
the fortunes of the defeated youngster, and adopt
him for their chief
II the bull, abused by his courage continues in
the herd, he entertains hatred continually exer
cised by stronger passion; he tries his strength
against other bulls of the herd and in those plays
resembling tights, he finds out the measure of his
powers; he learns to employ them and when he
can no longer endure the recollection of his defeat
ne again braves the author of his disgrace and
seeks for vengeance.
Who can describe the strokes exchanged by
these two rivals in absolute power? The hills and
valleys ring with their noise. From the clashing
noise Of their horns, one may judge of the impet-
osity of their attacks hundred times each is
deceived with the prospect of victory. They boil
and foam with heat and rage. Sometimes wrest-
ling with their heads, they drive and twist each
other this way and that till an uneven spot false
+I,o
other, or BOTH to draw back: sometimes darting
on each other, each seems to aim his deadly points
at the bowels of his adversary. But the fatal mo-
the fine old chief who thought his empire durable
as his existence. The ardor of youth seconds the
proweSs and vengeance of the enemy, and victory
decides in his favor. Dreadful vicisstude! The
mighty tyrant, sole object of regard and obedience
at whose stamp, at whose very look the herd trem-
bled but a moment before, now shrinks from the
blows of one of his subjects descends to cunning
shifts to avoid the fight; draws back and flies
Already he is in the middle of the herd seeking to
hide his dishonor and impotent rancor.
While he is thus hurled from his power and his
rule, his youthful successor receives the aduaons
of the versatile and fawning herd. The naughty
vanquisher, boiling with rage that breaks through
the joy of his success raises aloft his angry front
as if to seek for the defeated champion and forbid
him his presence forever. Everything seems to
foretell that one tyrant has been changed for
another.
Let us leave him to enjoy his triumph and to the
exercise of that jealous tyranny that will raise
him, too, enemies to humble him in his turn, while
we look for his fallen predecessor.
He creeps away to those spots where he may
hope to avoid the disdanful regards of his insult
ing foe. Here he mopes; the cutting remembrance
of his happy days redoubles his anguish he pines
and withers away to nothing. His once-glowing
eye sinks, fades and grows dim; it is the seat Of
sadness and despair and seems to call for the hand
Of death to close it forever. Useful and laborious
animal! why has nature given to thee, as to man.
the fatal faculty of remembering the past, and of
feeling those sorrows which are the harbngers of
death?