The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-04-08

fore and one hind leg. He stands proudly
vet restlessly on his contracted throne
and lashes his trunk and sways his heavy
head and tusks around in an imperious
lordly manner, trumpeting now and then
until the whole hall trembles with the deaf
ening reverberation. His keepers are very
attentive, and constantly deal out to him
dainty mouthfuls of bananas, pineapples,
short sticks of sugar-cane, and little bun
dies of sweet fresh grass from a huge pile
of these that is heaped near by. Every
one of his wants is assiduously attended to;
when he is seen to itch in any part of his body
his royal hide is promptly scratched with a
small iron rake-like instrument with long
handle; his eyes are reverently wiped, and
he has cool sponge bath every hour or two
of day and night during the hot season.
Over the door of each stable is a large rich
ly ornamented sign of gold letters, giving
the inmates full regal name and title
This the guide reads to you in reverently
hushed breath; indeed, these names, ike
that of the king, it is not proper for any
Siamese to speak aloud.
Nothing can equal the veneration of this
people for the white elephant; the king
must have at least one as palladium for
his own life and prosperity of the empire.
The real cause of this reference for the great
albina pachyderm is that he is supposed to
be the incarnation either of some past or
future Buddha and will. therefore, bring
blessings on the country which eherishes
and possesses so great treasure. Time
was when these beasts were duly worship
ped by king and people; their stables were
palaces; they were fed from golden dishes
and wore heavy gold rings upon their tusks
and were fettered with golden chains
Even now the populace fall with their heads
to the ground as they are led out richly
caparis0ned on state occasions, while the
royal officers and even the king himself
always make them obeisanee in passing.
The finder of white elephant is loaded
with honors and enolument. taking his
place at one step among the mobiles of the
kingdom. They come from the Laos terri
tory far to the north. and are brought down
the river on RATS magniicently decked out,
and accompanied by guards Of honor and
bands Of music. At Aguthia, sixty miles
up the river, they are met by the king with
his entire royal retinue, who in the grandly
adorned state barges follow the noble beast,
to its future home with great parade and
rejoicing.
Ii is late moment for me to state that
these white elephants have not at all the
fullness or the depth of that color which We
usually understand. or which the adjective
demands. Over most Of their body they
have the dull, muddy lead color common
to this beast Only in spots upon their
legs and in patches upon their shoulders,
neck. sides of head and inside of ears the
skin Is of a dirty cream-eolor, not quite
pleasant to look at, besides being abundant
IN splashed with freckles No one would
think OF calling them white One Of their
number, the fifth and last one obtained, Is
Of faint brick red over his entire body
which gives him an odd and not altogether
unpleasant appearance He Is, moreover,
young, lively. and good-uatured, and salaams
by raising his trunk straight and high
above his head TO all welI-dressed visitors
in way which quite scandalizes his keep
ers. who have taught all the others 20 re
serve that salute solely for the king. Were
he not himself too royal tn be whipped, |
dare say that this merry paehyderln might
soon be taught to recognize the honor re-
served 10 royalists. White animals Of all
kinds-aIhino aeeidenfs-stem to be rather
frequent iH Siam, and the people of all
grades have a sort Of religious feeling of re
spect toward them. White monkeys and
white magpies are kept by the mobiles in
rich, costly. cages. The bronzes or priest
salute white cock which they may meet
in their walks, when they would not salute
a prince on ike occasion.