Before the plan of using elephants was adopted, the guns were drawn by bullocks; but one elephant can easily draw a load which it would take thirty bullocks to move. The elephants are very tractable and clever, while the oxen are stupid, ill tempered, and hard to manage.
The elephants, despite their great strength, will not allow themselves to be overloaded.
If they are worked too hard, or made to draw heavier weights than is pleasant to them, they become sulky and will not obey orders. Their drivers, therefore, have to treat them very kindly; and then they will do all that is asked of them.
As soon as they have learned the work that is required of them, they will do it at the word of command.
The British soldiers do not attempt to manage these big beasts themselves. Natives are employed for this task, each elephant having his own special attendant.
These Mahouts, as they are called, feed and care for the elephants, who become very much attached to them, and pine terribly if their keepers are changed.
It is reported that Mr. Henry Havemeyer is trying to build an American Venice in the Great South Bay.
Two years ago he purchased a large tract of marshy land, which he has drained, filled in, and which is now ready to be built on.
He will construct some handsome villas, facing a grand canal, and separated from one another and also from the mainland by various other water-ways.