Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-18

PROFESSOR Henry A. Ward, the eminent geolO-
gist and naturalist Of Rochester, gives the fol-
lowing account of the white elephants of the
King Of Siam: 'Of course did not leave the
kings palace without going to see his famous
white elephants, of which he now possesses five
They are in long block Of buildings at the
rear of the arsenal. Here each elephant has an
entire distinct stable appointed to it's use
with the sleeping apartments of its score OF
grooms and feeders In one end. The stable is 6
large, high hall, with plain floor and walls anG
at one end small seated Buddha image with
little lamps burning in front. The great beast
stands on handsomely built pedestal raised
about foot from the floor. with its top just
large enough to hold him. On one side of this
near the front and rear. are two high
stout posts, gilded and otherwise gaudily or.
nate. To these the royal captive is chained
with velvet-colored ropes by one fore and one
hind leg. He stands proudly, yet restlessly on
and sways his heavy head and tusks around in
an imperious, lordly manner, trumpeting now
and then until the whole hall trembles with the
deafening reverberatiOn. His keepers are yery
attentive, and constantly deal out to him
dainty moutnfnls OF bananas, pineapples, short
sticks Of sugar-cane, and little bundles of sweet,
fresh grass from huge pile of these which il
heaped near by. Every one Of his wants is as.
siduOusly 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 instri-
ment with long handle; his eyes are reverently
wiped. and he has q cool sponge bath every
hour or two of day and night during the hot
season. Over the door Of each stable is q
richly ornamental 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, like those OF
the king. 1t is not proper for any Siamese to
speak aloud. Nothing can equal the yeneratiop
Of this people for the white elephant; the king
must have at least one as q palladium for his
own life and the prosperity of the empire The
real cause of this reverence for the great albinO
pachyderm la that he is supposed to be the in
carnatiOn either Of some past or of some future
Bnddha, and will, therefore, bring blessings
on the country which possesses and cherishes
beasts were duly worshiped by king and
people; their stables were palaces; they were
ted 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 caparrisOned on state occasions
while the royal officers and even the king
himself always make them Obeisance in pass
ing. The finder ola white elephant is loaded
with hOnOrs and emOluments. taking his place
They come from the Laos territory far to the
north. and are brought down the river on RATS
magnifoently decked out. and accompanied by
guards OF honor and bands Of music. At Agu-
tiid. sixty mtieS up the river, they are met by
the king with his entire royal retinue, who In
the grandly adorned state bHges follow the
noble beast to its future home with great pa
rade and rejoicing. 1t Is q 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 adj
Jective demands. Over most Of their body thew
have the dull, muddy lead-color common to this
beast. Only In spots upon their legs and in
patches on shoulders, neck, sides Of head and
Atnside Of ears the skin is Of & dirty cream
color, not quite pleasant to look at,
besides being abnndantly splashed with
coarse freckles. No one would think OF
calling them white. One only Of their number
the NTH and last one obtained, is Of q faint
brick red over his entire body, which gives him
an odd and not altogether unpleasant appear
ance. He is, moreover, young, lively and good
natured, and salaams by raising his trunk
straight and high above his head to all we'll
dressed visitors In way which quite scandal
Lies his keepers, who have taught all the Others
to reserve that salute solely for the king.
We're he not himself too royal to be whipped. I
dare say that this merry pachyderm might soon
be taught t. recognize the honor reserved To
r0yalists. White animals Of ell kinds-albinO
accidents-seem to be rather FREQUENT in Siam.
and the people. OF ell grades have sort Of re.
hgions feeling OF respect toward them. White
monkeys and white magpies are kept by the
mobiles in rich. costly cages. The BONES OF
priests salute white cock which they meet n
their walks when they would not salute .
prince on Hke occasion"