The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-08
THE WHITE ELEPHANT.
It's Glory Has Long Since Disappeared,
 Even In the Orient.

From the New York Herald.
 The glory of the white elephant has long since departed Even in siam, it's native country, there are many evidences that it will soon cease to be treated oth- CT than the ordinary elephants. The con- trast between it's former condition and it's present forlorn condition is remark able.
 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 de light of the kings to welcome the beast to their capitals. The fortunate individ- ual who discovered the whereabouts of white elephant was at once raised to the highest rank of nobility and very likely married to the kings daughter though this was not great honor, as he probably had dozens to dispose of. The capture being effected guards of nobles were mounted over the animal which was bound with slken ropes and detain- ed in the jungles where 1t was caught
 A palace was erected for it's reception close to that of the king, and roads were made from the place of capture to the principal highway. Installed in It's palace loaded with honors and with the highest sounding titles, surrounded by the golden umbrellas and other insignia of greatness. the white elephant led a 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. It was fed on de- licious fruits and vegetables, which were specially selected and prepared: bathed every day by obsequious attendants, there by increasing the glory of the king and securing the superiority and stability of the fortunate country which possessed it.. 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 com pliment he 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 be- loved animal Later, when the object of his affections died, he sent to his friend. Sir John Bowring. touching letter in English and small piece of fits beau tlful white skin"
 The recent addition of a young specl- men to a native collection gave an op- portunity for comparison of existing with past conditions A small pecuniary re- compense was thought a sufficient re- ward for the man who made the capture When the animal was tame enough to be transported 1t was marched across the country to the nearest railway station where a specially constructed truck was waiting to receive 1t. But there were no gilded pillars, no silk and satin hangings, no admiring multitude to do homage to the mascot of their king and country. In Bangkok, however, some preparations were made. A considerable crowd was waiting at the station, and the streets were decorated here and there with bunt- ing. procession of four white elephants, residents of the capital. escorted the new conner to its home. The trappings of the white elephants were tawdry, thread bare red cloth instead of the jewel stud ded velvet and silk, and the diamond and ruby no longer ornamented the white tusks The white elephants existence is now hardly superior to that of the com mon black herd.