AN ELEPHANT IN THE SKY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2057, 27 September 1880, Page 3

AN ELEPHANT IN THE SKY.

The “ Standard” of July 25th says that one of the moat remarkable phenomena ever seen in the metropolis was witnessed yesterday by the passengers on the George Peabody river steamer, just aa Big Bon of Westminster was on the point of striking seven. This was the appearance of a huge white elephant in the aky making straight, as it seemed, for the Houses of Parliament. There was some little doubt at drat as to the precise character of the beast, as it charged through the air head first in a direct lino for the centre of Westminster Palace, as though its purpose was to sweep away the halls and passages which connect the Commons House with the House of Lords. The apparition rapidly descended through the air, and speculations were hazarded os to what it was. Men looked up and trembled, while timid women screamed "The end of tho world is come, and we are all lost!” Tho captain of the G. P. kindly moored his boat to the pier to give those who desired it tho chance of escaping by way of Lambeth Palace. In an instant the monster was close upon tho boat, and a chorus of startled voices shouted, “ A white elephant!” There was no longer any doubt about the fact. It was an elephant, whose trunk was rapidly moving from side to side. With furious 'speed it passed over the stem of the G.P., and dashed into the Thames. The spectators breathed more freely. As soon as the elephant touched the water half a dozen boats dashed from tho pier to investigate the phenomenon. One oarsman was far in advance of the others. He was Been to thrust a hand towards the struggling monster, and in an instant it collapsed —it was a gigantic elephant made of laths and paper.