The Rock Island Argus., 1884-03-10
White Eleph hants.

the strength of its white eyes. It's brd,
was black. White elephants q @. II
fact, merely albinos; white on ac oupt
of the lack of color particles in the m.
per tissue OF the skin, and as in hn-
man beings, the hair and e. es, not the
skin, show the condition. Ii white ele.
plants had hair they would be wond +
fdl creatures, covered with long white
coat like the yak. They are often mot
tied, with reddish eye and q scarlet
ring about t. A pure white one was
probably never seen.
Their history dates back to very
early me in the Fast. Works by- Chi
nee authors long be ore the time OF
Christ refer TO them as one of the won
ders OF the world. and pictures are to
Ee seen in China in old works by Chi
uese artists showing the white elephant
wor h ping the sun. The earliest relia-
be Information. however, dates to the
YEAR $50, when many Of the natives o.
the countries about Siam were enraced
in long and bloody war over one OF
these animals, and before it was ended
Fifteen. thousand soldiers were slain and
five X ngs-all over one white ele-
pbant.
Probably the best authority on the
white elephant in our day was Sir John
loWring, who was sent to Siam as an
emissary from Queen Victoria, and of
whom it is told that on his return he was
given god box, with gold KEY, con
tAining a gift OF the choicest description
from the King of Siam for her Majesty
the Queen. Upon opening the box in
stead o. Jewels and gems, it was found
10 hold six hairs from the tail of the
white elephant. esteemed the choicest
gift the King could otler. Sir John
says that he has seen Jews ransom
offered for a few of such hairs. Equally
u compliment is it to be compared to
one OF these animals, and when in Lon
don one Of the Siamese Ambassadors
thus referred to the Queen: "One can
not but be struck with the aspect of the
august Queen OF England or fail to OBJ
serve that she must be of pure descent
from race of godly and warlike kings
AID rulers of the earth, in that her eyes.
complex on, and. above all, her bear
lngs are tIose of majestic and beauti-
ful white elephant
According to Sir John Bowring the
reason why the animal is so reyerenced
is because it is believed that Budhe,
the divine cmanat;on from the Deity,
must necessarily in HIS multitudinoas
metamorphoses or transmits. .ons
through all eXistCnces and through mill
ions OF acons delight to abide for some
tine in that grand incarnahon of purity
which is represented by the white ele-
phant, While the b0nzas teach that
there is no spot in the heavens above or
the earth below or the waters under the
earth which is not visited in the
peregrlnations of the divinity-who5e
every stage or step is toward purifica
tion--they hold that his tarrying may
be longer in the white elephant than in
any other abode and that in the possess
sion OF the sacred creature they may
possess the presence OF Budha himself.
1t is known that the Cingalcse have
been kept in subjec:ion by the belief
that their rulers have & tooth of Budha
in the temple OF Handy, and that on
various trects Of the East impressions OF
the foot of Budha are reverenced and
are the objects of weary pilorimagcs to
pla es which can only be reached with
difficulty, but with the white elephant
some vague notions Of tai Budba ar
associated and t&Gre can be 10 duu t
that the marvclo,.s ) gaCi,y of the cnea-
ture has seryel &c strengthen tnp!r Z,
lieious preiudices. S;amcse are known
TO whisper their secrets into an ele
phants ear and to ask solution oi
their perpIcxities by some sign or move.
ment. And most assuredty there is more
sense and reason IN the wo ship of an
intelligent beast than in that of stocks
and stones. the work Of mems hands. -
The feeling at the present day to-
wards these animals is still one of ven
Grafton, especially among the lower
classes, though among the higher, the
mobiles, they are looked upon more in
the Light of good luck, and the more
powerful king is the more white ele-
phants be will have. Their association
with power is seen eyervwhrre The
national emblem of Siam is a white ele-
phant; the buttons Of the army bear its
figure, which is also found upon the
honey and medals OF the kingdom and
upon important looks and papers. ii
$ a member of the royal family, rank
Ing next to the princes OF the blood,
naYing, in point Of fact, much more
onor paid it.
When q white elephant Is captured
The finder is immediately made man
iarin, no matter low tOw IN station: j,
exempted from taxes OF all kinds for fl
AMI is loaded with gifts from tie King,
EhO Immediately appoints white e.e-
Uhant cabinet of mobiles to wait en- its
maiesty, They at once start for the
place of capture, loaded with gifts OF
all kinds rich silks and tufts, feather
fans, sillien mosquito net: intact, ever =
thing to make the prisoner comfortable C.
TIE procession to the capital city is a
Iriunp&al march, the populace along
he rou presenting the animal with
gifts Of choi e fruits, etr.; Wh lie il it is
jrought down by river boat is espec-
ally built for tie purpose that is ver-
table floating palace, decorated with
gold, silver and silk When near the
city the entire court go out to meet It
and season OF festivities commences
hat last for three days.
Meanwhile q horse or palace has been
Ere ted for the new conner and a arge
lot OF cho;ce md laid as de +or its use
as a country .plaee. The mandarins
present t costly pr, sents OF god, silver
and precious stones. Gold dishes are
made for lis especial use, gold bracelets
and bands placed upon its tusks and
eve attention paid it that would be
paid TO u king. Mandarins attend to
its every want and q white monkey
ard5 it AMI keeps eff all evil spirits.
The ceremony OF burial of white ele-
phant is probably the most remarkable,
and if the one that is coming to Ameri-
"a dies in this country, the ceremony
ran be seen here, a; il is understood
hat the agreement wa in parting with
the animal that none of thr traditionary
rustoms should be omi ted When the
Rnimal is taken sick the kings phy5i-
rian attends ii and his special priest
prays for its re every. Ii the animal
dies the body is allowed to lie in state