Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-08
3flrsfellanenns.
The Sacred Elephant.
BARNUM's COSTLY WHITE PRIZE SHIPPED
TO LIVERPOOL.

LONDON, Feb 22.-ParadOXlcal as the
statement may appear, the first thing thai
occurred to me as peered at the sacred
white elephant as he stood swaying his
trunk to and fro in his box on board the
Tenasserim, before day break on Wednes
day morning, was that he was not white
elephant at all. By this | do not for a
moment wish to imply that the great
American Snowman is attempting to palm
off an elephant of the ordinary kind as a
genuine specimen of the Byvtenaques, OF
sacred white elephant. AS matter OF
fact the animal, which is well formed
brute, measuring seven feet six inches in
height, and carrying a splendid pair OF
tusks, fully three feet in length, is of a
light ash color.
He is dappled. so to speak over the ears,
breast, forefeet, forehead and trunk with
patches of pale pink color. and these err
ratio markings are further plainly observ-
able all over his huge body, although. ex-
cept on the parts have named, the spots
rarely exceed half dollar in size.
The attendant on the mighty beast is,
by the by.a young man of Is years of age,
with the ordinary broad Burmese face. He
is pleasant fellow enough, and evident
ly Unfortunately proud of his prolific growth
of Jet black hair. which, when unloosen-
ed, falls below the waist. This hirsute
appendage. possibly out of respect to his
royal charge. who was swathed up in
cloths and wrappings, like baby of a
week old. he Yesterday brought ashore
tied up in a bag attached 10 the collar OF
his coat of coarse fustian.
Mr. Bartlett. the superintendent of the
Geological Gardens here. who was one OF
the party forming the impromptu recep-
ton committee. told me that he was sur
prised to find the animal so splendidly de-
veloped. as he had expected to see a very
inferior specimen rs regard development
Tongue" is said to be fifteen years old and
his back is a. level rs billiard table. this
being. am told. an admirable point in
the confirmation of elephants as it is il
the case of highly bred cattle.
CosT OF BARNUM's PRIZE.
Before leaving Liverpool Yesterday
had chat with Charles White. who wa.
sent out by Mr.. Davis in August last t.
bring the white elephant home from Man
dalav on the completion OF the arrange
ments for his purchase from King Thee
bau. The whole cost, he tells me. incurred
by Barnum in securing this geological
treasure has been upwards of 5000. 900
but this includes the cost of the ANNA
I purchased by the showman's agent from
a Siamese nobleman, which was subse
quently poisoned by religious fanatics a
Singapore. Speaking of his experience
with Teuang Toloang. Mr.. White said
/ II have had pretty anxious time of i
/ can tell YOU. since left Mandalay will
Tongue There where seven in our part,
three natives and four whites Du1in!
the whole of the twenty five days. during
which we covered nearly 600 miles, | wa
I in constant anxiety lest should be over
taken by messengers with the informa
ton that the king repented of his bar
gain. and insisted on the restoration o
his treasure. Again, after the Singa
pore incident | was fearful that at
tempts might be made TO kill nv charg
before | got him safely on shpboard o.
the 18th day we reached cluster of ma
tive huts opposite Moulmne. on the IRA
waddy. Learning that there were tire
tame elephants in town induced the ma
tives to bring them over the water. and
encouraged by their presence. Tongue
torded the river in the most docile manner
Thence we pushed on to Rangoon. W
rode on elephasts. making the sacre
beast carry his fair share of the burdens
At night we used to hobble the elephants
and camp out comfortable enough. wrappe
in rugs and tiger skins. I can tell You
was heartily glad when got him safel
shipped on board the Tenasserim. althoug
a more docile beast | never had charge of
he was as frolicsome rs kitten from th,
word 60"
Lieutenant Colonel Judge of the Rova
Engineers, who has recently returned I
England from India. after serving wit
mis- regiment for more than ten wears i
that country. has favored me with som
interesting particulars of the so-calle,
White Elephant. In letter. in reply t
my inquiries, the Colonel writes me a
follows:
Elephants generally. and white ele
plants in particular. have been worshippe,
as representatives of sagacity. and so hav
owls; the superhumar look OF solennit
they assume has given them reputation
I for much wisdom. but Mark Twain ha
very truely brought to notice that self
conscious look of wisdom generally be
longs to wiseacres. WHO are only wise il
their own conceits, and it is not wise 4
trust to Such idols - BorfIr,a9 presS