The Stolen White Elephant Etc #249075

Relieved the King of Siam, and partly as a token of gratitude, but partly also, perhaps, to wipe out any little remaining vestige of unpleasantness which England might feel toward him, he wished to send the Queen 3. Present — the sole sure way Of propitiating an enemy, according to Oriental ideas. This present ought not only to be a royal one, but trans cendently royal. Wherefore, what Offering could be so meet as that of a white elephant? My position in the Indian civil service was such that I was deemed peculiarly worthy the honour of conveying the present to Her Majesty. A ship was fitted out for me and my servants and the officers and attendants Of the elephant, and in due time I arrived in New York harbour and placed my royal charge in admirable quarters in Jersey City. It was necessary to remain awhile in order to recruit the animal's health before resuming the voyage.