The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1903-07-11
Elephants Talk.

1.-THE animals | have trained says
Mr.. Clarence Norris of Norris &
Rowe's Big Shows, which will begin
an engagement in the city Tuesday
July II ''are a living sequel of the
story wild animals | have known,
by Earnest SeatOn Thompson. Mr..
Seatons animals are wild, and in their
wild state aud own country carry on
conversations, have their friends and
enemies, practice their different oc-
equations, and live their lives gener-
ally as other tribes Of higher form
of animal life in other countries. Our
animals are not all wild, many
of them never were, but tame and
wild alike speak their language,
have their loves and hates, their
moods and live their lives as actors.
They are kind enough to show us how
they live without trip to the wilds,
Mr.. kipling need not have gone to
Africa In search of material for his
Jungle Books. Mr.. Thompson need
not have gone to the forests and
prairies, for right here under COM
paritive area of tented space, both
these naturalists might have reveled
in the tricks and pranks, the mind
quality, or disquality, the'limitations
and powers of animals both wild and
domestic. Mr.. Kipling could stand
under our canvass, opposite the
monkey cage, and question these in
telligent creatures regarding the con-
dition of their tribe; could learn of
them from Jim Robinson, who speaks
in Mr.. Kiplings own language; could
question all sorts and conditions of
of great and small apes. The ele-
plants are vastly entertaining and
are most anxious to tell the civilized
world of their great prowess and
valor of their own kind, they dance
for us, play tricks for us, make clowns
of themselves for our amusement and
laugh at our pretenscs. For their
race is as old, and quite as learned, as
the Chinese Kingdom. Perhaps the
college professor, who last year caused
such a stir on account of his state.
ment that Adam and Eve were
Chinese, might learn something of
interest from our elephants, who
doubtless know all the traditions of
their own tribe. l think some of the
old Biblical tales tell of Eve riding
snow white elephant, elephants are
noted psychologists. III some of the
clever professors could only be made
to realize the wonderful knowledge
contained In the brains Of these great
beasts, we should have less theory and
more knowledge. l have also sug-
gestion to make to our modern ma
turalists. Why not found IA new
departure In the literature of animal
life. Eve have Kipling's jungle animals
and acknowledgements prairie ami
mails. Why not borrow a few ideas
from Neptune? We have some
splendid representatives, with us from
his realms, and l quite thoroughly
believe that they are taking notes
on our costumes and DEFICIENCIES to
report to the Old King of the Sea.
"None witnessing our performance
would doubt that these little creatures
are possessed of wonderful amount Of
brain substance and that they are at
present In splendid state of develope-
ment. ] think that 1t would be quite
possible to form some order of signs
and inaugurate a system Of interpre-
tations. We might gain some valu-
able suggestions for our Navy Depart
ment, besides an unlimited fund Of
knowledge for our philosophers,