Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-03-31

Great Ceremony Attended Its Gap
ture In Former Times.

The glory of the white elephant
has long since departed. Even in
Siam, It's native country, there are
many evidences that 1t will soon
cease to be treated other than the
ordinary elephants The contrast
between its former condition and its
present forlorn condition is re-
markable.
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 dis
covered the whereabouts of white
elephant was at once raised to the
highest rank of nobility and very
likely married to the Kings daugh-
ter, though this was no great honor,
as he probably had many dozens to
dispose of. The capture being eff
fected, guards of mobiles were mount
ed over the animal, which was bound
with silken ropes and detained In the
jungles where it was caught.
A palace was erected for its re-
ception close to that of the King, and
roads were made from the place o:
capture to the principal highway.
Installed in It's palace loaded with
honors, and with the highest sound
ing titles, surrounded by the golden
umbrellas and other insignia OF
greatness, the white elephant led
life of luxurious 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 vegetables. which were
specially selected and prepared,
bathed every day by obsequious at
tendants, thereby increasing the
glory OF the King and securing the
superiority and stability Of the for
tunate country which possessed 1t.
Some forty-five 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 paying to the Queen of
England he sent her, by the hands
OF her envoy, a few hairs pulled ex-
pressly for her from the tail OF his
beloved animal Later. when the
object OF his affections died, he sent
to his friend, Sir John Bowring, a
touching letter in English and a
small piece OF Its beautiful white
skin"
The recent addition of Young
/ specimen to native collection gave
an opportunity for comparison OF
existing with past conditions. A
small pecuniary recompense was
| thought a sufficient reward for the
| man who made the capture. When
it was tame enough to be trans
ported It was marched across the
| country to the nearest railway sta
ton, where a specially constructed
i truck was waiting to receive 1t. But
! there were no gilded pillars, no silk
| and satin hangings, no admirine
| multitude to do homage to the mas
cot of their King and country. In
Bangkok, however, some prepare
tions were made A considerable
crowd was waiting at the station
| and the streets were decorated here
and there with bunting. A process
sion OF four white elephants, resi-
dents OF the capital, escorted The
newcomer to its home. The trap
Il pings OF the white elephants were
tawdry, threadbare. red cloth, instead
OF the jewel studded velvet and silk
and the diamond and ruby no longe
ornamented the white tusks. Th'
white elephants existence Is nov
hardly superior to that OF the com
mon black herd.