NEWS OF THE WEEK.
“ JUMBO" has gone. Contrary to general expectation, he had grown accustomed to pass through the wooden box built for his transit, and on Wednesday night he entered it readily. His feet were then chained to staples, and his head so fastened that he could not strike it with his full force against the roof, while thick pads of hemp protected his sides. He made no resistance, but when chained, bowed down his head on the ground, as ele- phants do when conscious of superior force. Thenceforward he only once displayed temper, during the absence of his attendant, trying for nearly a quarter of an hour to upset the box, an effort in which he very nearly succeeded. The return of Scott, how- ever, quieted him, and during the journey to the docks he gave no trouble whatever, accepting a very novel and un- pleasant situation with a resignation almost human. The box was dragged on a trolley by twelve of Pickford's great horses to St. Kathaiine's Docks, and then hoisted, with the elephant in it, by a crane on board a lighter, which, on Thursday, was floated down to the steamer Assyria.' All through the journey, the Londoners continued to express their sympathy for "poor Jumbo !" and their regret at his departure, one rough workman at the docks running sharply a long distance to give him "a last bun," while the tug steamers steamed away, lest their whistles should irritate him. We do not remember such an outburst of feeling for an animal in England, and are wholly unable to see in it any- thing either foolish or discreditable. The Londoners wanted very naturally to keep the finest elephant in the world, and their attachment to him will ensure all elephants in captivity more consideration.
