London has been amused this week by the failure of
an effort to export "Jumbo," the colossal African elephant, now at the Zoological Gardens. " Jumbo " is twenty-one, and nearly full- grown, and has, according to the Secretary of the Society, shown symptoms of the fury which comes upon elephants at that age. It was resolved, therefore, to get rid of him, and Mr. Barnum, of New York, offering 22,000, the Council sold him, stipulating, with more than Yankee shrewdness, that the purchaser should undertake the responsibility of removal. "Jumbo" was, accordingly, first invited to enter a big box ; and then, on his distinct and peremptory refusal, requested to march to the docks on foot. " Jumbo," however, is as afraid of novelties as all other elephants, he has never left the Gardens since his babyhood, and he had a fit of mingled alarm, shyness, and regret. Go he would not, sitting down with elephantine calm, in serene certainty that he was much too big and heavy for anybody to carry. The attempt was, accordingly, abandoned, and unless a narcotic is employed, and the poor beast carried away during sleep, it is difficult to see how he is to be moved. There has been a per- fect explosion of sympathy for " Jumbo," partly grotesque and partly pathetic, and the Society are earnestly implored to cancel the bargain. For reasons stated elsewhere, we think they have been hasty and ill-advised, and that if Mr. Barnum will cancel the contract, " Jumbo" should be retained. We expect, however, that by this time all America is sighing for him, and that at least ten new machines and one new motor have been invented and patented "for the propulsion of elephants."
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