Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1906-01-20
THE WHITE ELEPHAM.
Its Glory Has Long since Departed,
Even In the Ori@nt.


Even In the Ori&nt.
The glory of the why elephant has
long since departed tven in Siam,
its native country, here are many evil
dences that it VII soon cease to be
treated other than the ordinary ele-
plants. Ths contrast between its for
mer condfion and its present foEbOrn
fonditign is remarkable.
Thg early historians Of the orient
haze left accounts of the capture OF
,be 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 aswhite ele-
phant 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 proDa-
bly had many dozens to dispose or.
The capture being effected, guards OF
mobiles were mounted over the animal,
which was bound with silken ropes
and detained in the jungles where II
was caught.
4 palace was erected for its recep-
ton close to that of the king, ana
roads 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
brellas and other insignia of greatness,
the white elephant led 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. IL
was fed on delicious fruits and vege-
tables. which were specially selected
and prepared; bathed every day by
obse0uious attendants, thereby In
creasing the glory of the king and Sc
curing the superiority and stability OF
the fortunate country which possess
ed it,
Some forty-fve years ago the king
of Siam possessed a 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
paving to the queen of England liz
sent her by the hands of her envoy
a few hairs pulled expressly for heI
from the tail of his beloved animal
Later. when the object Of his anec
tons died. he sent to his friend, III
John Bowring, a touching letter IL
English and a small piece of Its beau
tiful white skin
The recent addition of Il young specl
men to a native collection gave an op
portunity for comparison Of existing
with past conditions. \ small pecunl
ary recompense was thought sum
Gent reward for the man VINO mau
the capture. When the animal wa
tame enough to be transported 1t wa
marched across the country to tn
nearest railway station, where a spe
cially constructed truck was waitlnl
to receive it. But there were no GID
ed pillars. no silk and satin hangingS
no admiring multitude to do homag
TO the mascot of their king and coun
try. In Bangkok, however, some pref
arations were made. \ consideraOi
crowd was waiting at the station, an
the streets were decorated here an
there with bunting. A procession Q
four white elephants, residents OF u
capital, escorted the newcomer TO IL
home. The trappings of the white ei'
plants were tawdry, threadbare re
cloth instead of the jewel studded We
vet and silk, and the diamond an
ruby no longer ornamented the whl'
tusks. The white elephants existent
= now hardly superior to that OF IL
common black herd.-New York lie
Z aid