,
where the driver places himself, is the easiest seat. He guides the
animals by occasionally touching their ears, pressing his legs to the
sides of their necks, pricking them with a pointed instrument, or
knocking them with the handle; often, however, they are so docile, that
a mere word will be sufficient.

The favourite habitation of the elephant is the forest, or green plain,
near which is a river, or lake: water he must have, for both in freedom
and captivity, bathing seems to be a necessary condition of his
existence. This propensity reminds me of the often-repeated trick of the
before-mentioned elephant of the Jardin des Plantes. His stable opened
into a small enclosure, in the midst of which was a pond. In this pond
he constantly laid himself, and was so hidden by the water, that
nothing of him appeared, except the end of his proboscis, which it
required an experienced eye to detect. The crowd often assembled round
the enclosure of the "elephant's park," as it was called, supposing they
should see him issue from his stable. All at once, however, a copious
shower would assail them, and ladies with their transparent bonnets, and
gentlemen with their shining hats, were forced to seek shelter under the
neighbouring trees, where they looked up at the cloudless sky, and
wondered from whence the shower could come. When they directed their
eyes towards the elephant's pond, they saw him standing in the midst,
evincing an awkward joy at the trick he had played. In process of time
his pastime became generally known, and the moment the water rose from
his trunk, his beholders ran away, which he also seemed to enjoy
exceedingly, getting up as fast as he could to behold the bustle he had
created. This same elephant had been landed from the vessel, which
brought him from the East Indies, at Bordeaux, and the sailor lad, who
had taken charge of him during the voyage, was appointed to conduct him
through France to Paris. The rough, and sometimes paved roads, cut the
poor animal's feet, and a shoemaker was employed to make him four boots.
There was not much skill required, as no shape was necessary; but they
answered the purpose, and were afterwards hung up in his stable to the
great delight of the younger visitants to the Jardin, who often went
expressly to see the elephant's boots. When he and his guide stopped for
the night, a mattress used to be thrown down on the floor for the
latter; but, after a few nights, the elephant di