Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-01-05
THE WHITE ELEPHANT.
sts Glory Mas Long since Departe,
nn Even In the Orient.


lts Glory HAS Long since Departed,
- Even In the Orient.
The glory Of the white elephant has
long since departed. Even In Siam,
It's native country, there are many evil
dences that 1t will soon cease to be
t'eated other than the ordinary ele-
plants. The contrast between its for
mer condition and fits present forlorn
condition Is remarkable.
The early historians of the orient
have left accounts of the capture Of
the white elephant in different parts OF
Indo-China. all Of which lay great
stress on the magnificent ceremonies
and the great delight Of the kings to
welcome the beast to their capitals.
The fortunate individual who discov-
cred the whereabouts of white ele-
plant was at once raised to the high
est rank of nobility and very likely
married to the kings daughter, though
this was no great honor, as he proba-
bly, had many dozens to dispose or.
The capture being effected. guards of
mobiles We're mounted over the animal,
which was bound with siiSen ropes
and detained in the jungles where it
was caught. --.--.--.-
4 "A palace was erected for its reeep-
ton close to that OF the king, and
f0ads were made from the place of
capture to the principal highway. In
stalled in its palace loaded with hon
ors and with the highest sounding
titles, surrounded by the golden UNI
brefias ana other Insignia OF greatness,
the white elephant led 4 life OF lux
urious ease. lulled to sleep by the
choral chants OF priests and amused
during waking hours by the songs and
dances OF the royal corps de ballet 1t
was fed on delicious fruits and vege-
tables, which were specially selected
and prepared: bathed every day by
obsequious attendants. thereby in
crcasing the glory OF the king and Sc
curing the superiority and stability of
the fortunate country which possess
ed It. errE
Some forty-five years ago the king
Of Siam possessed white elephant
which was the chief delight and pride
OF the sovereign In spite OF his high
education and good intellect AS the
greatest compliment he could think Of
paying to the queen Of England he
sent her by the hands Of her envoy
a few hairs pulled expressly for her
from the tail of his beloved animal.
Later, when the object of his afrec-
lions died, he sent to his friend, Sir
John Bowring, touching letter in
English and a small piece of 'its beau
tiful white skin"
The recent addition OF young speci.
men to native collection gave an op-
portunity for comparison of existing
with past conditions. A small pecuni-
airy recompense was thought a suffi-
cient reward for the man who mnde
the capture. When the animal was
tame enough to be transported 1t was
marched across the country to the
nearest railway station, where q spe-
CHILLY constructed truck was waiting
to receive II. But there were no gild.
ed pillars. no silk and satin hangings,
no admiring multitude to do homage
to the mascot Of their king and conn
try. In Bangkok. however, some prep
arations were made. A considerable
crowd was waiting ut the station, and
the streets were decorated here and
there with bunting. A procession Of
four white elephants, residents Of the
capital, escorted the newcomer to it's
home. The trappings Of the white ele-
plants We're tawdry. threadbare red
cloth instead Of the jewel studded vel
vet and silk, and the diamond and
ruby no longer ornamental the white
tusks. The white elephants existence
Is now hardly superior to that OF the
common black herd.--New York Her.
uld % .rN IT. ...