New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-25
4 SUGGEST ON TO MR.. BARNUM.

II is rumored in the -,enagere and circus circles
of the country that the irrepressibe and indefat-
gable Mr.. Barnum has announced his intention oil
rendering the Greatest Show on Earth still greater
by climaxlng aud cap-stOnng its manifold attrac-
tons with an elephant fair of complexion as one OF
Oscar Wilde's lilies. RumOr further has II
that Mr. Barnum has been striving for
many months to secure such an elephant
but all to no purpose. In the plenitude OF his re-
sources of experience. ingenuity, enterprise and
hard cash he is unable to possess himself of white
elephant He would be satisfied with one, but the
supply does not equal even that modest demand
We are quite sure these statements Will deeply
grieve his countrymen. Their sympathies ara GER
tain to be aroused at the reflection that in the fast
gathering twilight of his days, after career
profusely spangled with the trophies of gliitering
success in the field of applied aud Gagged zoology,
Mr.. Bsrnum should be bafled by any beast OF any
color.
But is 1t inevitable that white elephant should
prove the Appomattox of the veteran shOwmanf
We do not believe It 49, We incline 20 believe that
his failure thus far to crafty the ultimate
desire Of his heart is due not 10 the
fact that white elephants have come to
be as scarce as reslgniug ofice-bolders, but
to the very different and less discouragng fact that
he has not sought bis game at the right market. II
is understood that he has secured India III pursuit
OF his object But have yet TO see 1t stated thar
he has gone white-elephant hunting in the United
states II must be. therefore, that he IS laboring
under the impression that the fauna OF North
America il not inclusive of the white elephant. 80
in order to correct such absurd precOnceploh We
have n suggestion to make TO Mr.. Barnum. Phiueas
T. the first spare day you have, just yon take luh
I'M from your native Bridgeport to New Haven, and
E..,t hot MI tsh UlV1-
ousy II never occurred to you that white elephants
were indigenous 10 your own Connecticut; but never
mind-try the experiment. Arriving at New Haven,
take hack fof Yale College, and reaching that in
strtution ask to see the authorities and tell them
what il il You yearn for. IL yOu follow this
advice the chancos are you will return home the
pr,ud proprietor of your long sOug1t-fOr white ele-
phant For the public begins to suspect, Mt Bar
num- that Yale College now harbOrs ~ one OF her
profcssorshlps whne elephant winch 1t stands her
IN hand 10 part with. 1t is rather bumptious and
sef-conceited elrphan'. and It has acquired atter
much proctice swagger a, co ussal as il 10 comica
If the animal passes ato your hands, NJ. arnum
Won may fl d il necessary to keep sharp watch
upon its movements TO prevent IL from end'aYollrg
10 sit down upon the rest OF tha menagerle
IN case the rest Of the managerle does not
roar i'm harmony with its own zones. That Is the
SORT of ELEPHANT II Is. Ana sui IL 10 h"AuiJ "
bo regarded AS dangerous. It's bark is simply I'M
mcn,r but It's bite IS comparatively harmless. Ii
ia also a trick elephant. 1t has taught Itself TO
stand upon IT, capacious ear and call the
royal Bengal tiger, the Numdan lion and
the gray crest eagle "puerliues," " trash
and "tarifI-buIlt frauds This performance IS
always vo,ed very amusing-by sub-tresh-
men. II is but fair TO mention. Mr.
Bruum that it Is spawned elephant Sad but true
Some days ago il had the misfortune to entangle
and rupture tse I in the mesh OF some Whitman
tic thread with which It WAS recklessly toollng.
Since this casualty il has not been so handsome as
1t was before but Is believed that 1t knows more
word to the wise is sufficient We have always
re- sarded you rs n wise man, Mir. Barnum. And II
the ,pomcnt Won finish reading this article YOU do
not at once proceed TO pack your gripsack for New
Haven. you are not the enterprise incarnate we
have taken you for.