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288 SI AM.
" In the same place we observed rather a fine-
looking elephant, but a small one, which appeared to
me to be a greater object of curiosity than any of the
others. This animal was covered all over with black
spots, about the size of a pea, upon a white base. It
is not unusual to observe a partial degree of this
spotted appearance in the elephant of Bengal,
as on
the forehead and trunk of the animal ; but in this in-
stance, the skin was entirely covered with them.
" The greatest regard is entertained in Siam for
the white elephant. He who discovers one, is regarded
as the most fortunate of mortals. The event is of
that importance, that it may be said to constitute an
told, were served in vessels of vermilion; musical instruments
preceded their steps when they went forth to take exercise or to
drink ; and when they came up from the stream, a royal attendant
washed their feet in a golden basin ! In Hamilton's description
of Hindostan, there is an account of the household establishment
of the white elephant belonging to the Emperor of Birmah, which
goes even beyond this in absurdity. The sacred animal had his
regular cabinet, composed of a woongee, a woondock, a serogee, a
nakhaan, and various subordinate officers. Presents of muslins,
chintzes, and silks, were regularly made to him by all foreign
ambassadors. His residence, it is said, "is contiguous to the
royal palace, with which it is connected by a long, open gallery,
supported by numerous wooden pillars, at the further end of which
a curtain of black velvet, embossed with gold, conceals the august
animal from the eyes of the vulgar and before this curtaui the
;
offerings intended for him are displayed. His dwelling is a lofty
hall, covered with splendid gilding both inside and out, and supported
by sixty-four pillars, half of which are elegantly gilded.
To two of these his fore feet are fixed by silver chains, while his
hind ones are secured by links of a baser material. His bed consists
of a thick mattrass covered with blue cloth, over which another
of a softer composition is spread, covered with crimson silk.
His trappings are very magnificent, being gold, studded with large
diamonds, pearls, sapphires, rubies, and other precious stones.
His betel-box, spitting-basin, ankle-rings, and the vessel out of
which he feeds, are likewise all of gold, inlaid with precious stones ;
and his attendants and guards amount to one thousand persons."