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vol. title: Miscellaneous Scraps from January 1st 1878 vol. period: 1875-1878 pages in vol.: 153 |
Hunting Elephants in Siam
United States Steamer Ashuelot,Bangkok, Siam, May 10, 1876.—The business which brought us here being now about finished, we were beginning to think of leaving, when we got an invitation that fairly startled us.
Every year they have an elephant hunt, or drive rather, and we were invited to attend one about to take place. To add additional éclat to the occasion, there was a white elephant in the drove, and that was of course the cause of great rejoicing. Fortunately I was one of the lucky ones who could go. There were six of us in all, the Captain and five of our mess. For nearly a year they had been collecting this drove from all the distant provinces, driving them in a few at a time, and now they were all collected at Ayuthia, a place about sixty miles up the river from Bangkok. Our invitation came from the Foreign Minister, and he did everything up for us in style; sent us a steam launch, to tow us and do the cooking, &c., and what they call a house boat, with a house built over about half of it, and very comfortable, indeed. We took bedding and clothing, and that was all. Everything else was provided for us. The Minister also sent his interpreter with us. He was a Portuguese, a very pleasant fellow, who added very much to our enjoyment.
We left the ship about daylight, and had a most delightful trip up the river. The country is rather monotonous, being very flat, but still there is quite enough variety to make it interesting, the endless variety of tropical foliage coming down on the water, with occasional breaks with room enough for a temple or little village. About 9 we stopped at a little temple and had breakfast on shore, and a very good breakfast it was. We took our own boys, but they furnished cooks, china, grub, wines in abundance and variety, and everything else necessary. The cattle here are regular buffaloes, and every once and a while a great drove of them would rush down the bank into the water and dash and splash in great glee. Another pleasing thing we saw was a murderer's head stuck on a pole by the water, as a gentle reminder that you should not kill people. We had a mishap or two, just enough to add variety. Once our launch broke down, but another one came along and picked us up.
About noon the King passed us. He was in a large, handsome barge towed by a small steamer. About dark we got to the summer palace, a handsome new building a few miles below Ayuthia.
Here our launch overtook us, and we went on. In about fifteen minutes we broke down again, but almost immediately another launch came up and took us on. The King had heard of our breaking down, and sent it after us in case it should happen again. Very thoughtful, wasn't it? We got to Aynthia about 9, and were immediately taken possession of by the Foreign Minister's son and one of his officers, and they never left us while we were there, always looking out, and anticipating our every wish. I never was so well looked out for before in my life. The Foreign Minister was not there himself, but the ex-Regent took us under his wing and kept a fatherly lookout for us. We did not know exactly how our meals were to be provided for us, but the first day settled all that. About daylight, before any of us were up, the Regent came alongside in a small boat to pay his respects.
We received him in panjamas, but he didn't seem to mind that, and left coffee for us. (The coffeepot was made of gold.) We were tied up alongside of the bank, and about 9 o'clock a long procession of his servants appeared, marching along with our breakfast, everything being served in massive silver. The breakfast was cooked in our style, and consisted of a dozen courses, everything being as nice as possible. Lunch was prepared on board our lunch, and dinner came in the same swell style from the Regent's. That was the daily routine, and very pleasant we found it.
The first day was devoted to capturing the white elephant, nothing else being of sufficient importance to touch on the same day. The performance was to commence at 1, and we were there about 12 to secure a good place; but, as usual, we found ourselves well looked out for. We were given splendid places, just below and in front of the King. A little before the hour the herd was driven in from the stockade, where they had been confined, and a great sight it was. They came on at a very sedate pace, headed by a tame elephant, and surrounded by about twenty other large tame elephants, who had no difficulty at all in keeping the herd together. Each tame elephant had two riders, who seemed to have the most perfect control over the beasts, jabbing them playfully in the head with a sharp iron hook when they wanted them to do anything. The drove was brought down immediately in front of where we sat. We were about 15 or 20 feet above them, and the trained elephants, which are used in the catching were brought out. The elephant was taken by a high noble, who is second lord of the elephants. The wise men had been consulted, and the exact minute at which it was proper to take the fellow ascertained, and all hands waited patiently until the King gave the signal, and then he went for him. There were 185 elephants in the herd (we counted them afterward), and it seemed almost impossible to pick out the one they wanted; but they spotted him instantly, and had a rope around his leg in a very short time. The rider carries a coil of hide rope, in the end of which is a loop, which they carry on the end of a long bamboo. They rush up behind the one they wish to catch, stick this long bamboo down, and as he lifts his hind leg to rush along, slip the loop over it, and the trained elephant instantly turns and walks away with a taut, so there is no danger of it slipping, and then the end is thrown off and allowed to drag.
In the case of full-grown elephants three or four ropes are necessary. They are immensely strong, made of buffalo hide, but in the case of the white elephant only one was necessary, as he was only about three years old and quite small. As soon as the line was fast to him they caught the end of it, and made it fast to a strong post, and then the tame elephant closed in, and drove the herd off, leaving the poor little wretch all alone. His mother broke from the herd and came back, tramping on the line and pulling at it with her trunk, trying to free him, but they soon drove her off and left him alone in his glory. He bellowed and snorted and stood on his head, and did everything he could to break the line, but without effect, and then they closed in on him and captured him. It took three tame ones to do it, one butting him from behind. The men on each side passed a strong collar around his neck, and then made it fast to other collars around the necks of their own elephants, and thus they had him.
They brought him up in front of the King, and washed him nice and clean (the elephants keep themselves plastered from head to foot with mud to keep insects off), and showed how beautifully white he was. He really was rather a light brown, and is said to be the whitest one they have caught in 100 years. Another good omen was that he would eat. Generally, they will not touch food for two or three days, but this fellow did not seem to mind it much. The King threw him bananas, which he ate very contentedly. After every one had admired him sufficiently he was led away to his stable to be tamed, which would take two or three months, and then he will be taken to Bangkok with great ceremony and rejoicing.
Adoptive Rite
Secular Order of St. Joachim, for the admission of ladies and gentlemen. The Duke of Saxe-Coburg, with fourteen other noblemen, created this Order, June 2, 1755, with the object of mutually procuring the means of doing good, in succouring those of their number who might require sustenance in old age. They made vows of adoring the Deity, of tolerance toward religions other than those they professed, fidelity to their sovereign, to succour indigent soldiers, the poor, widows and orphans. They were divided into three classes, Grand Commanders, Commanders and Knights.
With regard to the introduction of ladies, this chapteral institution is not limited to any certain number. Noble birth, and good extraction; as being descended from a good family, or being married to a gentleman, whose birth and conduct are unexceptionable, entitles every lady, or widow of a gentleman, and every young unmarried lady (at least 16 years old) to be received. They are distinguished as follows: Ladies, grand crosses; ladies wearing small cross, and ladies, novices, who take rank accordingly, deriving from their dignities such benefits as are particulary attached thereto.
Each noble lady, gentlewoman, or widow, can be immediately received as a Lady Grand Cross, or she can be received as a lady wearing the small cross, until she is in possession of a Commandery. But so soon as she is in the immediate possession of that dignity, she is obliged to be received as a Lady Grand Cross.
This Order is intended as a model for imitation, and as an example whose virtues are ever worthy the imitation of all good men. The ladies who are received, are obliged to observe the practice of all the duties which are specified with respect to the Knights, so far as is consistent with the difference of sexes. They must endeavor to distinguish themselves above other women, by the practice of every moral and social virtue, and must conscientiously prefix the duties attached to their sex, and which especially appertain unto them as wives and mothers of families.
Inviolable fidelity in the marriage state, tenderness and carefulness with regard to the persons and education of their children, mildness and beneficence towards their inferiors and servants, and charity and generosity toward the poor and needy, the widow, and the fatherless, ought ever to be the cardinal points to guide them in their conduct through life.
The ladies are assigned the same insignia as those which are attributed to, and worn by the Knights, except that in the place of the golden helmet the cross is surmounted by a golden death’s head, placed upon two cross bones. This emblem is meant to point out to the ladies the fragility of human beauty; to make them never loose sight of the fact that the Christian and moral virtues are far superior to all external charms.
The insignia is worn pendant to a green watered ribbon. The lady novices wear upon the left breast a knot of ribbon, upon which is embroidered, in silver, the word Virtuti.
During the ceremonies of reception, which are grand and imposing, the Chancellor, in a short speech, announces the duties and obligations of the Order, the lady will answer the following question: “If it be her true and earnest desire to be received into the illustrious Chapteral institutions of St. Joachim, and to take part in fulfilling the duties thereof, to the glory of God, to the honor of herself and to the benefit of society.” Having answered in the affirmative, she must take the oath of the Order, according to the usual formulary.
This being done, the Grand Master invests her with the insignia, in doing which he is assisted by the two lady assistants. The Grand Master says to her:
“This cross is received by a lady of the Order of St. Joachim, as the sign which elevates her to the rank, and entitles her to the alliance and friendship of her brethren and sisterhood, and as a proof that she has bound herself to pay due obedience to the statues thereof. Take it meritoriously, and wear it all your life worthily to the glory of God! to the splendor of the Order! and to the honor of yourself!”
Instead of receiving the Accolade, as is usually conferred upon each Knight, on the conclusion of the ceremony, the newly elected lady presents her right hand to the Grand Master, and successively to the Chief Capitulars then present.
Asleep or Awake
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Editor's notes