Chap. 40. an -Expofttion upon thr Book of J o B. Verf. r9. 629 llruu`Iioa. The Elephant is in nothingmore eminent, than in his apfnefs tó betaught, or in his readiness to receive the imprelTion Etegem ado- of any thing fpoken to him,. and fitting for him to learn or do. rant, genus The Elephant is an apt fcholar,he Coon grows perfect+ in any piece fubm trri,co- of art or a }ivity taught him. Some tell us, Elephants have ytiriu. cgi. learnt the art of dancing, and that they have learnt to draw the Funambulos fs lettersof the Greek Alphabet with their feet, and that they learn vidijfedyqui tomake legs (as we fay ) or do obeyfanceto Kings, and to pre- Grecas litera fent them with crowns. pedibtoexava -, rent télaatur Plin.1,8, Elephanto ad- morum farili- tatera erudito nihil ;ratios, nihil ad id quad volumes ob- temperatius. sFlian, Aria l.9.r.48, `Ubifemelho- minis imperio fubjea ed, omnia ei obfe- quiaprarbet,et ab so cipit moran J miii- tudinem, gala detque non minor quam parts canes Sixthly, Betides their teachablenefs, their trac ablenefs and gentleness is wonderful. Some are apt to learn, yet will not be governed, will not bebrought to good manners. Elephants are commended, not only becaufe they are apt to be taught, but ready to be commanded. Whatever you bid them they pre- fently obey. There's no creature fo quiet, Co meek, fo fubmitting as the Elephant; he hurts none, unlefs provoked, and will gent - lyhelp the weak. They who write the nature of the Elephant assure us, that when once he is brokenor tamed by man,he is ever after obedientto him, and 'gives him all manner of obfervance ; that" he even forms himfelf to the dijpofitionof his Mafier or Owner, will take meat out of his hand like a little dog, that he will( as it were ) hugg and embrace his Mafier whenhe comes near, and will Coffer him ( without hurt ) to pur his head within his mouth. - Seventhly, He exceeds other beans in ufefulnefs, He is nct `tradtable only for a thew or for fport, but he is for real service. In times of peace he will do all manner of work,till the ground, carry burdenw,and he is of great ufe and fervice in time of war. Eighthly,. This is admirable in the Elephant, that being Co vat+ a creature, he hash fuch agility of body, as was touched before hewill exprefs thofe geflures and motions, which require greateti a6ivity. Ninthly, The Elephantis highlycommended for his módefly and chaf+ity. Tenthly, For his faithfulnefs in any thing that he is charged with or ordered to do. The faithfulnefs of the Elephant ex- ceeds belief. There are notonly marvciis, but miracles report- ed by Hifiorians worthy of credit, concerning their fidelity to their ex manuOw cibum c.ipere, venientem fus premuf ide eompleIIitur, quinetiamraput intra fuss fau- ces immittere hominem pa- rimy. Philo4x, l.z. c. y: Pliu.1 Sr
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