The Times, in its account of the garden part in honour of Princess Victoria’s birthday at Buckingham Palace on Thursday says:—Jumbo Junior, the tiny elephant from the Royal Italian Circus, followed Signor Volpi as sedately as usual, until he had arrived in front of the Queen’s chair. Her Majesty presented him with a sweet, and the elephant immediately evinced a great attachment to the Queen. Cakes and bananas were at once sent for, and Her Majesty presented Jumbo with an assortment of fruits and delicacies. With some little difficulty Signor Volpi persuaded the elephant to return to the front of the audience and mount on his little tub preparatory to playing on the mouth organ, but just as Jumbo was about to begin his eye wandered in the direction of the Queen and, despite the efforts of his trainer, he jumped off his, tub and walked straight to Her Majesty, holding up his trunk in expectation of more gifts. The Queen sent for another plate of cakes, and the elephant remained steadfastly by her side during the rest of the afternoon. At the close of Mr Bertram’s entertainment, in which the young Princes took a great interest, the Queen rose from her seat, and Jumbo Junior trotted proudly beside her. The Duke of Connaught joined Her Majesty, and presented Jumbo with a magnificent Tasmanian apple, which was cut and peeled for him.
The Scotsman, Edinburgh, Scotland
