The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1888-08-23
WHITE ELEPHANTS.
Rare Beasts That Are Kept as Sacred ~
Oriental Monarcbs


As is well known. what is termed 81
white elephant is a rarity, and have
only seen one Of them during the whole
term of my residence in Burmah. 1t
was not really white either, but OF
dirty yelIowish color not at all hand
some, and probably the light color IS
caused by species of leprosy. his
kind is an albino among elephants,
The Burmese have gone to war with
the Siamese on several occasions for
the possession OF white elephants, so
highly valued were they. Large re-
wards were formally given to any one
who discovered the whereabouts OF
white elephant He could not attenpt
to capture 1t for himself, 1t being
reasonable offense to do SO, but had
to inform the King where the animal
was. The capture was usually ef-
tecled with the aid OF a handsome
tame female who acted the part OF
decoy to perfection. She was sent to
90 and meet the white elephant and
attract his attention. She would pre-
tend she did not desire his profer"d
caresses, and walk away in the dlrec-
ton OF the inclosure made for his re-
ceptiou. looking back, however, as L
to say: Follow me-" He, OF course,
does follow her and is lost She leads
him into the inclosure, where he IS
soon secured by the hunters sent by
the King. He is then led in state to
the palace Of the King, where hand
some and highly-decorated stable has
been built for his reception. he Il
fed with sugar cane and fruit, and
adorned with golden ornaments.
The cause OF all this respect being
paid to the so-called white elephant
was the universal belief in metempsy-
Ghosts, or the transmigration OF souls
prevalent in all tho H-'----
...- ca. OF HiudOstan. The souls or
spirits y those who had achieved the
greatest good on earth are believed to
fill The bodies Of white creatures. The
essence Of the Buddhas, the performers
OF the greatest good Of all, therefore
only i1habils the bodies Of white ami
mails. such as the occasional white
monkey. swans and doves; the latter
time m.grat.ous when nearing the ST.
preme heaven, Neibhan, being into
the forms Of the higher white animals,
and a white elephant, from the rarity
of the occurrence, is the highest.
Thus n" King, by obtaining such al
animal, might pUssIUly be the happy
and LonOred possessor of Buddha HIM
self | was informed that the money
value Of white elephant was fully
SjU 100. Tht King Of Siam has several
OF these rare animals, who are taken
great care Of, have retinue OF
servants to attend upon them, and are
accorded royal hOnors.
Th~ story OF how these Kings form
er,y used them for the purpose of ruin
ing any Of ,acjr subjects who were be-
coming too wealthy is well known.
One OF these white elephants was sent
to the individual desired to be humbled,
as a valuable gitt from the King. The
luckleos uublcman dared not refuse the
present rs he valued his life, but was
Obliged to receive the animal. build l.
eprcj;.. residence for him. and spend
large Suns in keeping him in stately
comfort. The result was generally the
financial! ruin Of the person who had
received th" fatal gift. This accom-
p.ishcd, the King took possession again
Of tie c.pphant,---Cor. So" Francisco
I5y0Uir{e.