AN ELEPHANT IN THE SKY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2346, 23 September 1880, Page 2

AN ELEPHANT IN THE SKY.

(From the “ London Standard’' July 2d)

One of the most remarkable phenomena ever ,seeu in the metropolis was witnessed yesterday evening by the passengers on the George Peabody river steamer, just as Big Ben oE "Westminster was on the point oE striking 7. This was the appearance oE a huge white elephant in the sky making straight, as it seemed, for the Houses of Parliament. There was some little doubt at first as to the precise character of the beast as it charged through the air head first in a direct line 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 oE Lords. The apparition rapidly descended through the air, and speculation were hazarded as to what it was. Men looked up and trembled, while timid women screamed “ The end of the world is come, and we are all lost!” The captain of the G.P, kindly moored his boat to the pier to give those who desired it the chance of escaping by -way of Lambeth Palace. In an instant the monster was close

upon the boat, and a chorus of startled voices shouted, “A white elephant” There was no longer any doubt, in fact it was an elephant, whose trunk was rapidly moving from side to side. With furious speed it passed over the stern 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 the pier to investigate the phenomenon. One oarsman was far in advance of the others. He was seen to thrust a hand towards the struggling monster, and in an instantit collapsed—it was a gigantic elephant made of laths and paper.