t one time or
another, seen a partridge run; and consequently know that there is no man
whatever able to keep up with it; and it is easy to imagine, that if this
bird had a longer step, its speed would be considerably augmented. The
ostrich moves like the partridge, with this advantage; and I am satisfied
that those I am speaking of would have distanced the fleetest racehorses
that were ever bred in England. It is true they would not hold out so long
as a horse; but they would undoubtedly go over a given space in less time.
I have frequently beheld this sight, which is capable of giving one an
idea of the prodigious strength of an ostrich, and of showing what use it
might be of, had we but the method of breaking and managing it as we do a
horse."

[Illustration]

ANECDOTE XLI.

A Choice Retaliation.

A tame elephant kept by a merchant was suffered to go at large. The animal
used to walk about the streets in as quiet and familiar a manner as any of
the inhabitants, and delighted much in visiting the shops, particularly
those which sold herbs and fruit, where he was well received, except by a
couple of brutal cobblers, who, without any cause, took offence at the
generous creature, and once or twice attempted to wound his proboscis with
their awls. The noble animal, who knew it was beneath him to crush them,
did not disdain to chastise them by other means. He filled his large trunk
with a considerable quantity of water, not of the cleanest quality, and
advancing to them as usual, covered them at once with a dirty flood. The
fools were laughed at, and the punishment applauded.

[Illustration]

ANECDOTE XLII.

The Horse and Greyhound.

Various have been the opinions upon the difference of speed between a
well-bred greyhound and a racehorse if opposed to each other. Wishes had
been frequently indulged by the sporting world that some criterion could
be adopted by which the superiority of speed could be fairly ascertained,
when the following circumstance accidentally took place, and afforded some
information upon what had been previously considered a matter of great
uncertainty. In the month of December 1800 a match was to have been run
over Doncaster racecourse for one hundred guineas, but one of the horses
having been withdrawn, a mare started alone, that by running the ground
she might ensure the wager; when having run about one mile in the four,
she was accompanied by a greyhound, which joined her