The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 22, 1896, Page 16

16 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1896. ELEPHANT HUAT [N SIAM DESCRIBED BY AN EYE-WITNESS. Awe-Inspiring Sight of Vast Herds of Mammoth Wild Tuskers BANGKOK, Siax, Oct. 15.—After read- ing the heading of this article the mind of the reader may ramble back to some book or story that has been read,- describing elephant hunts as they have been con- ducted in certain parts of India, by dig- ging large pits into which the poor ani- malsare driven. Unlike the elephants that are trapped in pits mostly for their ivory, these caught here in Siam are afterward trained and used in various ways. The hunts are now looked forward to as an annual event, and the time, although not definite, is as near the beginning of the rainy season as possible, which is about the 1<t of May. On account of the intense heat, and the great uunbers of these animals being crowded together, if they were caught at any other time of the year, numbers of them would .doubtless die. A number of tame tuskers are ridden into the country, the distance to be cov- ered having been previously determined, and returning they beat through the brush and jungle, all headed for Ayuthia, the old capital of Siam, where the inclosure or paneat, as it is called by the Siamese, is situated. In this way they gather to- gether a herd of wild elephants that some- times number nearly three hundred. As the herd nears Ayuthia the day for driv- ing them into the paneat is set by the offi- cial in charge. Meanwhile the elephants are keot in the forest near by, easily guarded by the mahouts (elephant riders), | who are mounted on a few tame animals. It might be well just here for the benefit | of the reader 1o give a short description of | the paneat. This inclosure, which is| made of brick, is almost square, and is situated in the outskirts of the city. Its| outer and inner walls are about 11 feet | high and about 10 feet apart, the space be- | tween being filled in to within three feet of the top, steps having been built up to the top from the outside. These walls make an excellent position from which to view the proceedings. The walls inclose a piece of ground equal to about an acre, inside of which teak logs | are driven into the ground sbout eighteen | inches apar: and about twelve feet from | the wslls, entirely around, with the ex- | ception of breaks necessary for the gates and passageways. Thisisdone in order that men may be stationed in this opening to assist those who are inside. The pas- sageways are made by two rows of posts being placed far enough apart to allow one elephant to pass through at a time. The gates are made by hanging logs by pivots at the top, two logs at each end of a passageway. When opened they are swung from each otber. When it is desir- able an animal can be caged in oneof | these passageways by loosening the logs at each end, which, being swung toward the center, make a perfect trap, in which the elephant is almost helpless, as it is im- vossible to turn around. . Outside of the paneat is a wedge-shaped paddock built of strong posts. The apex of the paddock joine one of the passage- ways (above described). At the opposite side of this entrance upon the wal is an open building, or Royal Sala, as it is called, from which the King, Siamese officials and also Europeans view the pro- ceedings. Long before the elephants are in sight the walls of the paneat are well crowded with people awaiting to view the catch. The gay turong is a sight well worth seeing, the pretty and well formed maidens in their glossy panungs (a gar- ment somewhat like the fashionable bloomer) and bright fetching waist scarfs wrapped around their pilump bodies or thrown over the shoulders, exposing their round arms and perfect shoulders, which many of their white sisters would justly envy. Then again is the more modest matron wearing a tight-fitting jacket,with the scarf also, and the men, some of whom have nothing on but the panung, but for such an occasion most of them manage to wear a jacket. These happy and contented people seldom wear either stockings or shoes, except the upper. classes, whose costumes at times are very elaborate. Imagine such a scene, if you can, all the various bright colors produc- ing a kal:idoscopic effect rarely seen. driven into the paddock, a few of the tame animals being ridden in with them. The opening is then closed by placing heavy bars horizontally across. The rage of these huge brutes when they find they are imprisoned is hard to imagine. The force with which they butt up against the posts makes one wonder that they are not killed instantly, but they walk away not in the least dazed. Now comes the exciting time of driving the elephants into the inner inclosure or paneat. One of the trained tuskers is rid- den up to the passageway at the apex, and there waits till the herd is driven up close to him, which is done by the tame ele- phants, with the assistance of men on foot, who take refuge behind them with long bamboo poles, on the end of which is fastened a knife eight or ten inches in length, with which they jab at the mass of moving flesh. Woe be to these fellows if any of the animals break tbrough the line of guards, and especially so if the one breaking through be a mother, whose buby may bave been killed in the crush. Some of these breaks have proved fatal to some unfortunate spearsmen. The tusker walks slowly into the passageway, and by both driving and coaxing with bananas the elephants are soon sturted into the paneat; then what a pushing and crushing time there is. Often two of them try to go through at once, and tbe force of those pushing from bebind jams them in so tight that 1t is almost impossible to loosen them. Finally they are all driven in; the gate is closed, then the tired beasts havea rest till next day, when the task of select- ing and capturing the best of the herd is begun. Eariy the next morning about six or seven large tuskers are ridden into the paneat, each with two mahouts mountea on him. The rider on his neck bas a coil of rawhide rope, at the end of which is a slip noose which is fastened to a pole, the other end being fast to the tusker’s neck. On the appearance of these animals with their human riders the herd backs away and huddles together like a band of frightened sheep. Round and round the inclosure they are | followed, roaring and trumpeting almost | continually. When one of the animals which has been chosen makes its appear- dnce on the outer edge of this moving | mass the mahout nearest quickly benas over and with his pole slips the noose over abind leg as it is lifted. The animal rid- den is instantly turned and runs in the opposite direction, bringing the young | tusker up with a jerk that sometimes pulls him off his feet. The rope is soon made fast to a convenient post, after which more are captured in the same way. After capturing two or three screaming youngsters a gate is opened and the herd is driven out to the river to cool off. ln the meantime two of the tuskers are ric- | den up to one of the little kicking fellows, one on each side—and one in the rear, if it i§ necessary—more ropes being fastened around his neck and made fast to the old fellows at his side. While this is being done water is poured over his head and back to allay his injured feelings as much as possible. Thus, between his captors he is led off 1o one of the long stables or sheds near by, to be tamed and trained to take his turn later on in making captives of some of his unfortunate relatives. When the task of taking these young tuskers to the stables has been completed the herd is driven back from the river to an open space alongside of the paneat, and if it is considered best to take a few more they are captured in the same way as has just been described, out the captur- ing outside of the paneat is made more exciting by the fact that there is less ob- struction between the wild animals and their liberty. The sightseers crowd around as close as they dare, the sight of whom does not tend to sooth the big hearts of the already half- crazed animals, Occasionally one will break tnrough the line of tuskers and spearsmen and scatter the too curious to ‘most all points of the comnvass, and in some cases play very good association football in such a way as to be very de- vressing to the constitution of the unfor- tunate one who might be too slow to clear After several false alarms the herd of elephants is seen moving into the cpening i dnpercs s Sl from the shade of the forest, toward the river, into which they plunge without the slightest hesitation, spurting the water in showers in all directions, evi- dently enjoying their bath. Comingup on the opposite bank they are slowly the track. ‘When the most promising of the young many of these youngsters do not survive captivity, some of them dying from grief. B. Carriyerox. The Purchase of Wives. There are many countries in which, if a man wishes to be legally married, he has to go ont and buy a wife, though the market prices of that article varies con- siderably. In Uganda you can get what you requira for two or three bullocks, or even for six'good sewing needles, or per- haps a box of percussion caps: while in- ferior wives can be picked up in exchange for acoat, and it one is indifferent to health and beanty, for a pair of shoes. In the Jaroline islands wives are cheap. A father will let you marry his daughter, if yougive him a little fruit or a small present of fish, while in Samoa matrimony runs you into pigs and canoes; among the Fijians, into whales’ teeth und muskets. In Tartary it is best to marry beneath Yyou (you can do it on a few pounds of but- ter), because a man who has lprdly no- tions of a marriage with one of the upper ten must be an owner of horses. The aborigines of Australia manage their mar- riages upon a most equitable principle. If A wishes to marry B’s sister he allows him to marry his own; or if B happens to be a widower then his daughter will do just as well. One of the most objectionable forms of gaining a wife is to work for her—a habit practiced among many uncivilized na- tions—its only advantage being that a man can get a wife on credit, though his father-in-law takes good care that he serves his time. Among some races you have to do your work before you get your wife, as Jacob had to serve for Leah and for Rachel. Marriage by exchange and al-,r\\\\ IR \fi,ulkh \ 5""” % e —- 2 W MAHOUTS DRIVING IN A i PORTION OF THE HERD. [From a photograph by B. Carrington.] LEADING OFF THE CAPTIVE. ONE HOUR FOR REFRESHMENTS. [From a photograph by B. Carrington.] tuskers have been taken the herd isdriven back to the forests and liberated. The animals that are retained generally aver- age from 5 feet 6 inches to a little over 7 feet high, It is a fact not generally known that purchase is not custbmary among unciv- ilized nations only. In Central America and Pern a man has to work for his bride. In China a present is given by the father of the bridegroom, the amount of which is agreed upon by both the families, The [From a photegraph by B. Carrington.] Japanese make use of a similar custom, though in their case the giving of presents is the most important part of the whole iage ceremony, for after these have been delivered and formally accepted, neither of the contracting partiesis able to go back. Wife-purchase appears to have been the basis of Indo- European marriage before the separation of the peoples took place. Manu mentions the Asura form of marriage as one of pur- Chase, and according to Aristotle the an- cient Greeks were in the habit of buying their brides; for in the Homeric agea maiden was called by a name which signi- fiea “one who brings her parents many oxen.” The' old Scandinavians believed that even tne gods had paid a price for their wives, and in Germany the expression *‘to purchase a wife”” was in vogue until the end of the miadle ages. The old inhabi- tents of Ireland and Wales were accus- tomed to buy their wives with gold and silver or land. In Servia, at the begin- ning of our century, girls had reached such a price that Black George reduced their value to one ducat. Among many savage nations the equiv- alents of a wife are varied and grotesque. Poor Bashkirs purchase theirs with cart- loads of wood or hay: the [ndian Kisans, with two baskets of rice and a rupee:a tribe in California, with half a string of dentallum shell, and among the Padams, & rude people of India, the suitor shows his intentions by gifts of field mice and squirrels.—Pall Mall Gazette. * - The Passing of Philately. Of all the fads that have absorbed the popular mind from time to time no other has been so universal or so constant as the craze for philately, or stamp collec- tion. Numismatics attack iore violently, but for evident reasons noi so gener- ally. Men, women and children bore their friends and neighbors for unique designs, especially of foreign authority, and the postoffice officials, both at Wash- ington and subordinate stations, hove to give considerable of the time that the Government pays for to examination of requests for stamps or information con- cerning them from all sorts of people. ‘While the Government officials and their clerks are forbidden to deal with stamp collectors in any other way than their sworn duty defines, ‘they are yet pretty good judges of the feeling in the trade, and they now report that within the past year or two there has been a big slump in the business, An Expert’s ames Mario Carara, a disciple of Cesare Lom- broso, the Italian expert 1n criminal anthropology, has, according to the Phila- delphia Press, made a special study of the sports that criminals engage in. The in- nocent games of childhood, in the case of criminals are tinctured with cruelty, and sometimes accompanied by homicide, Criminals skip the rope, but part of the game is to trip up the jumper and let him fall heavily upon the stone pavement. Criminals play leap frog, but the object of the game is that he wbo makes the *‘back’ shall raise suddenly and violently justas the frog.mounts and throw him to the ground. The criminals play blindman’s buff, but the man with the bandaged eyes carries a handkerchief bearing in one cormer a jagged stone, a piece of hard, sharpened wood or bit of iron. With this weapon he strikes those whom he pursues. Another remarkable forma of this game is for the blinded one to be struck by oneoran- other of his companions if he fails to name the one that touches him. The penalty is not the innocent one of the children’s game, but a blow so severe that a physi- cian has often to be called in after the game is over, and occasionally the suf- ferer is disabled for some time. It has been found in those Italian re- formatories where prisonars are not kept in solitary confinement that prisoners’ games are often accompanied with blood- shed, and that it is aimost impossible to prevent cruelties. This is especially true where prisoners work together, for they secrete tools and use them as weapons in brutal sports. In one of these games the player has in each hand a stick, baving fixed in the end a keen metallic point. He interweaves bis arms, revolving the sticks with rapid- ity, and the game is for another prisoner to thrust his head between the arms and endeavor to follow the revolutions of the sticks without being wounded. It usnally bappens that he receives fifteen or sixtéen wounds and comes out with a bleeding head, while now and then mortal wounds are received. The victim in another game has his eyes bandaged and places his palm upon a table, with fingers spread fan like, An- other criminal repeatedly strikes between the fingers with a pointed instrument. If he wounds a finger then the two change places, and woe to the man who refuses the exchange. The game is dangerous, although the cririnals assert that the wounds to the fingers are not deep or severe, because, as they say, the metallic points are short and do not penetrate far— a grim form of philosophy. The sport of criminals is accompanied by characteristic crait. This is specially shown in the methods in which the new- comer is initiated into prison life, The novice is conducted into an improvised court chamber, where the judges are his fellow-prisoners. He is placed upon a stand and gravely triea on a pretended charge, and he has barely been condemned when the stand 1s suddenly drawn away, so0 that be is thrown vioiently upon the earth. Many games necessarily imply resist- ance to pain as an absolute condition of success. For example, there is the game of “needles.” One of the players places his closed fists upon the table, holding steadily two needles, one in each haund, the points being slightly exposed. It is the game then for a companion to strike with bis own fists those of the other, and it becomes a question of endurance be- tween the one pricked with the needles and the one whose fists are beaten by the other’s knuckles. There ars contests in which the fingers and hands are wounded, and ihe scars are an honorable distine- tion. The characteristic feature of all these games, which are the recreation exclu- sively of criminals in prison, is the love of combat. If, asis held by experts, sports are the means of working off the super- fluous aetivity of life, it is evident that superfluous activity, in the case of prison- ers, is especially powerful. It has been noted in the case of prisoners that there is a prevalence of great agility and litheness, ich Professor Lombroso considers a pegative evidence of mental weakness, since it testifies to a greater development of the notorial centers at the expense of the other cerebral centers. But usually this physical energy is not properly used in the ordinary life of the criminal, and finds outlet and enjoyment in sport, Study of of Griminals Anotber characteristic of the games of criminals is the admiration shown for physical force, manifested in the docility with which the vanquished in such sports submit to the brutality of the victors—a thing observed among savages. Finally, the insensibility to pain exhib- ited in the sports of criminais proves that such men are less acute in their physical senses as weil as less sensitive to the pains of others, esince what seems to others use- lessly cruel is only the usual thing with criminals. As the drunkard, his taste hardened by alcohol, has need of a stimu- lant constantly stronger, so in the case of the criminal, the nervous system demanas stimulus so strong that to the ordinary steady-going individual it would be actu- ally painful, - An Eccentric Prince. The Sicilian Prince of Valguanera at the beginning of this century, says a writer in the London Evening Standard, was a monomaniac of a rare description. He succeeded to one of the largest for- tunes in Europe; his habits were studious and economical; he had no children; but in gpite of these advantages for saving money he contrived to ruin himself. The Prince had a fancy for grotesque statues, with which he adorned the stately man-. sion of his forefathers. Many descrip- tions of the place are extant, for it was renowned through Europe in its day. Brydone visited it and he hasleft usa pleasant picture. Approaching by anoble avenus one found the palace encircled by an “army” of monsters. “The absurdity of the wretched imagination which cre- ated them is not less astonishing than its wonderful fertility,”” says Brydone. “Some were a compound of five or six animals which have no resemblance in nature. In one instance the head of a lion was set upon the neck of a goose, with the pbody of a lizard, the eye of a goat and the tail of a fox. TUvon the back of this object stood another with five or six heads and a grove of horns. There is no kind of horn in the world that he (the Prince) has not collected, and bis pleasure 1s to see them all flourishing on the same skull.”” Of such horrors there were 600in the avenue and. the courtyard alone when Brydone saw the collection. The Prince maintained a regiment of sculptors who were rewarded proportionately to their success in designing new and unparalieled combinations. The effect uron a super- stitious peasantry may be imagined. So serious was the agitaiion that the Govern- ment of Sicily threatened to demolish the wondrous array several times, but a Prince of Valguanera was not to be of- fended in those days without the gravest cause. Matrons of Palermo would not take their drives 1n that direction, fearing dire results. The inside of the house was ec- centric in another fashion. Here the madman diverted himself with columns and arches and pyramids of cups and saucers, teapots and the like, cemented together. One column, for instance, started from a great porcelain vase of shape fa- miliar in bedrooms, but not elsewhere; the shaft was teapots, witn the spouts pro- truding, graduated in size up to a capital of flower pots. The openings of windows were en- crusted in this manner, the chimney- vieces were loaded up to the ceiling, and the magnificent rooms of the palace were divided by fantastic arches of the same construction. China was rare and fine in Bicily at that day, and most of the pieces thus treated had great value. The Prince’s bedroom was a chamber of supreme hor- ror. Reptiles, awful beyond conception, bad their home there, intermixed with pleasing busts and statues which, if turned, showed a skeleton or a hideous representation of decrepitude. We have never observed an allusion to these things in a modern work of travel. Perhaps the Government destroyed them at the Prince’s death, beggared by his mania. ——— A ‘useful charity called the London Bpectacle Mission provides spectacles for needlewomen and other deserving per. sons dependent on their eyesight for a living, Last year 726 applicants were pro- vided with spectacles. —_—— Russia has the most rapidly ingreasing population of any country in Europe. The growih in the last hundred years has been & fraction under 1,000,000 annually. o’