fflfiiritr William Paget Hoskyxs. 
 
 H.V.DAY 
 
 DORCHESTER 
 
 Old & Rart 
 Books, Ma 
 and Prints 
 
r ma ***** * v 
 
THE 
 
 3 L E P H ANT'S B A L L, 
 
 AND 
 
 Grand Fete Chaivrpetre. 
 
 Intended as a Companion to those much admired Pieces, 
 
 The BUTTERFLY'S BALL, 
 
 AND 
 
 The PEACOCK " At HOME." 
 
 ILLVSTRATED WITH ELEGANT ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 By W. B. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 [r1nted for j. harris, successor to e. newbrry'j at the 
 original juvenile library, the corner of 
 st. Paul's church-yard. 
 
 1808. 
 
THE 
 
 ELEPHANT'S BALL, 
 
 AND 
 
 Grand Fete Champelre. 
 
 E insects and birds, with the balls and their feasts, 
 d much conversation among all the beasts: 
 Elephant, famous for sense as for size, 
 tch entertainments express'd much surprise; 
 
 a2 
 
1 
 
 Says he, " shall these impudent tribes of the air, 
 « To break our soft slumbers thus wantonly dare ? 
 " Shall these pretty creatures, us beasts far below, ' 
 " Exceed us in consequence, fashion, and show? 
 " Forbid it, true dignity, honour and pride ! — 
 
 k A grand rural fete I will shortly provide, 
 
 " That for pomp, taste, and splendor, shall far leave behind 
 
 « All former attempts of a similar kind." 
 
 The Buffalo, Bison, Elk, Antelope, Pard, 
 
 All heard what he spoke, with due marks of regard. 
 
number of messengers quickly he sent 
 
 ) tho beasts, far and near, to make known his intent, 
 
 ie place he designed for the scene of his plan, 
 'ns a valley remote from the dwellings of man ; 
 eU guarded with mountains, embellished with trees, 
 id furnished with rivers, that How\i to the seas, 
 ire first cams the Li$n so gallant and strong, 
 ell known- by his main that k shaggy and long ; 
 ie Jackall, his slavey followed close in his rear, 
 solvM the good things with his> master to share. 
 
The Leopard came next — a gay sight to the eye, 
 — With his coat spotted over — like stars in the sky—* 
 The Tiger his system of slaughter declin'd, 
 At once, a good supper and pleasure to find. 
 The bulky Rhinoceros came with his bride; 
 Well arm'd with his horn, and his coat of mail hide. 
 Then came the Hyena, whose cries, authors say, 
 Oft lead the fond traveller out of his way, 
 Whom quickly he seizes and renders his prey. 
 The Wolf hasten'd hither, that Ruffian so bold, 
 Who kills the poor sheep, when they stray from the 1 
 
7 
 
 The Bear having slept the long winter away, 
 
 Arriv'd from the north, to be merry and gay. 
 
 The Panther ferocious— the Lynx of quick sight, 
 
 The Preacher* and Glutton* came hither that night. 
 
 The Camel, so often with burthens opprcst, 
 
 Was glad for a while from his labour to rest. 
 
 The Sloth, when invited, got up with much pain, 
 
 Just groan'd out, « Ah, No 1" and then laid down again. 
 
 The Fox, near the hen-roost, no longer kept watch, 
 
 But hied to the feast, better viands to catch. 
 
 * Wild Beasts of that name. 
 
8 
 
 The Monkey, so cunning And full of his sport, 
 
 To show All his Talents, came to this resort. 
 
 The Dog and Grimalkin* from service releas'd, 
 
 Expected good snacks, at the end of the feast: 
 
 The first at the gate, as a centine! stood ; 
 
 The last kept the Rats and the Mice from the food, 
 
 The crowd of strange quadrupeds seen at the ball, 
 
 'Twere tedious and needless to mention them all > 
 
 To shorten the story, suffice it to say 
 
 Some scores, nay, some hundreds, attended that day.* 
 
 * The Cm. 
 
B 
 
 But most of the tame and domestical kind, 
 For fear of some stratagem, tarried behind. 
 Due caution is prudent ! but laws had been made- 
 No Beast, on that night, should another invade. 
 Before we go farther, 'tis proper to state, 
 Each female was ask'd to attend with her mate i 
 Of these, many came to this fete of renown, 
 But some were prevented by causes well know* - 
 Now Sol had retir'd to the ocean to sleep ; 
 The Guests had arrived their gay vigiU to keep— 
 Their hall waa a lawn, of sufficient extent, 
 Well skirted with tree*, the rude wind* to pien'Bti 
 
10 
 
 The thick-wovea branches deep curtains display'd ; 
 And heaven's high arch a grand canopy made. 
 Some thousands of lamps, fix'd to poplars were seen, 
 That shone most resplendent, red, yellow, and green. 
 When forms, introductions, and such were gone through, 
 'Twas quickly resolv'd the gay dance to pursue ; 
 The musical band, on a terrace appearing, 
 Perform 'd many tunes that enchanted the hearing ; 
 The Ape, on the haut-boy much science display'd — 
 The Monkey the fiddle delightfully play'd — 
 The Orang Outang touch'd the harp with great skill, 
 The Ass beat the drum, with effect and good will r . 
 And the Squir&el kept ringing his merry bells still. 
 
m 
 
11 
 
 The Elephant, stately, majestic and tall, 
 With Cousin Rhinoceros open'd the ball— 
 With dignified mien the two partners advane'd, 
 And the De h Cour minuet gracefully dane'd. 
 The Lion and Unicorn, beasts of great fame, 
 With much admiration, accomplished the same. 
 The Tiger and Leopard, an active young pah, 
 Perform'd a brisk jig, with an excellent air. 
 Next Bruin * stood up with a good-natur'd smile, 
 And caper'd a hornpipe, in singular style, 
 With a staff in his paws, and erect all the while. 
 
 * The Bear. 
 
12 
 
 I The Fox, Wolf, and Panther, their humours to please, 
 f Dnnc'd three-handed reels with much epirit and ease, 
 
 A fcW tHrd coiiii'ir.iir;, ,;n:l wcU hkc French fancier 
 
 f JBut most of them joined in John Bull's country dances. 
 | Some beasts were not us'd to these violent motions, 
 \ And some were too old or too grave in their notions j 
 
 Of r}u ;;.:- :i £>v;:f. il!.ut.y ducted thcii Unh s 
 
 With whist, lue, backgammon, quadrille or all-fourfli 
 Much time being iptfit in these pleasing diversion*, 
 A motion was made to remit their exertions ; 
 f For supper was waiting j which, on this occasion, 
 
 Vu* l.l.iri.-i-'-j With, bkiih a.VV Iv^uiaUuB. 
 
 J 
 
13 
 
 The bosom of eanh a firm table supply'd — 
 
 The cloth was green grass, with gay flow'rets bedy'd ; 
 
 The various utensils by nature were cast, 
 
 And suited completely this antique repast. 
 
 The generous host had provided great plenty, 
 
 To suit various palates, of every dainty. 
 
 Some scores of f it oxen were roasted entire, 
 
 For those whose keen stomachs plain beef might require. 
 
 Profusion of veal, nice lamb, and good mutton, 
 
 To tickle the taste of each more refm'd glutton— 
 
 Abundance of fish, game and poultry, for those 
 
 Whose epicure palates such niceties chose. 
 
14 
 
 Ripe fruits and rich sweet-meats were serv'd, in great store,. 
 
 Of which much remain'd when the banquet was o'er ; 
 
 For, as to mild foods of the vegetive kind, 
 
 Few guests at the table to these were inclin'd ; 
 
 Rare hap for such persons as travelPd that way, 
 
 By chance or design, on the following day. 
 
 On wine and strong spirits few chose to regale, 
 
 As most were accustom'd to Adam's old ale. 
 
 When supper was ended, and each happy guest 
 ( Had freely partaken of what he lov'd best ; 
 - Of toasts and of sentiments various were giv'n ; 
 
 As " Health to our Host, and the Land that we liye in/' 
 
15 
 
 IThe former was drank with huzzas, three-times-three, 
 
 |lVhich echo repeated with rapturous glee. 
 
 mow mirth and good humour pervaded the throng, 
 
 IVnd each was requested to furnish a song, 
 
 Ivhigh many comply'd with ; but such as deny'd, 
 
 pome whimsical laughable story supply'd, 
 
 Whc Liow> « Britannia Rule," sung mighty well: 
 
 the Tiger, " in English Roast Beef," did excel. 
 
 IVhile others made all the- wide valley to ring, 
 
 i/ith te Nile's Glorious Battle, and " God Save the King." 
 
16 
 
 In such good amusements the evening they past, 
 Till Aurora appear'd to the eastward at last : 
 When back to their homes, they return'd one and all, 
 Well pleas'dwith the sports at the Elephant's Ball. 
 
 W. B. 
 
 ■ v" 
 
 Printed by £. Hemtttd, Great New-street, Fetter-lanei