Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-01-06
THE WHITE ELEPHANT.
Its Glory Has Long since Departed,
Even Ia the Orient.

Even Ia the Orient.
The glory of the white elephant has
long since departed. Even In SIAM
dences that it will soon cease to De
treated other than the ordinary eie
plants. The contrast between It's TOT
mer condition and its present loriorh
condition is remarkable
The early historians OF the orient
have left accounts OF the capture of
the white elephant in different parts of
ndo. China. all of which lay great
ross on the magnificent ceremonies
al the great delight Of the kings to
.lcone the beast to their capitals.
re fortunate individual who discov-
: the whereabouts of white ele-
MT was ut once raised to the high
rank of nobility and very likely
arried To the kings daughter, though
1his was no great honor, us he proba-
bly, had many dozens to dispose Of.
The capture being effected, guards of
mobiles were mounted over the animal,
which was bound with silken ropes
and detained IN the jungles where 1t
was caught.
A palace was erected for its recep-
ton close to that of the king and
roads We're made from the place of
capture to the principal highway. In
stalled In its palace loaded with hon
ors aud 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 1t
was fed on delicious fruits and vege-
tables, which We're specially selected
and prepared: bathed every day by
obsequiouS 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-live years ago the king
of Siam possessed Il white elephant
of the sovereign in spite of his high
education and good intellect. AS the
greatest compliment lie could think of
paying TO the queen of England he
sent her by the hands of her envoy
few hairs pulled expressly for her
from the tail of his beloved animal
Later, when the object of his affec-
tionS died he sent to his friend, Sir
john Bowriug touching letter in
English and small piece of Its beau
tiful white skin
The r"cent addition of "A young speci-
men To II native collection gave an OPP
portunly for comparison of existing
with past conditions \ small pecuni-
AIRY recompcnse was thought Il sutli-
cicnt reward for the IMAM who made
~, urc When the animal was
tam ugh 10 be transported 1t was
nar across the country 10 the
nearr 'way station. where Il spe-
cialh ructcd truck was waiting
t0 r..ets. H. But there were no gid
el pillars. no silk and satin hangings,
no admirug multitude To do homage
to the mascot of their king and coun-
try In Bangkok, however, some prep
arations were made. \ considerable
crowd was waiting at the station, and
the streets We're decorated here and
there with bunting y procession of
four white elephants residents of the
capital, escorted the newcomer TO its
home The trappines of the white Gle
plants We're ttwdry. threadbare red
cloth instead Of the jewel studded vel
vet ald SILK. and the diamond ana
ruby no longer ornamcnted the white
tusks. The white elephants existence
is now hardly superior to that of the
aid.