Talk:Barton Grindrod

Barton Grindrod

Grindrod was a merchant who lived in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) for about 20 years. He was also in partnership in a business called Durham, Gindrod and Company that faced bankruptcy in 1880/1881.

He wrote to the editor of Pall Mall Gazette with an interesting letter about his time in Ceylon, dated 28 January 1884, and published Wednesday 30 January 1884, page 2.

THE SO-CALLED WHITE ELEPHANT.

To the Editor of the Pall Mall Gazette.

Sir,—Upon the above subject I quite agree with Mr. Lankester, whose letter appears in your issue of this date. If Mr. Barnum [ P. T. Barnum ] can delude the British public, let him do so by all means, but it is going a little too far to bring priests from Burmah to worship the elephant. I grant that coolies would come if they were well paid for it in advance, and learn their lesson before leaving, but priests never. The Burmese are Buddhists, and do not worship elephants ; they only consider them sacred when attached to their temples. I have been in Ceylon twenty years, and visited many temples, but have never yet seen any worshipping of elephants. Every temple has from two to three, and when a kraal takes place the temples lend their elephants, for without their help it would be impossible to have a successful kraal. In place of any payment for the use of them they select two or three, the Government take also what they require, and if you are an outside purchaser you could buy for £30 and £40 each. If more are captured than required, they are let loose, and join the herd. As to cost, I give you some particulars of a shipment I made myself, in March, 1871, and I am quite ready to produce the invoice and all particulars. Eleven elephants were shipped in the Nehemiah Gibson for New York ; ten arrived safely and in good condition, one died on the voyage, which occupied about ninety-four days. The first cost of the eleven was £555. The highest price paid was for a female (Hebe), £65. This elephant gave birth to a young one in America, bred in captivity, a full account of which appeared in the Graphic some time ago. Rajah and Mandrie, two very fine mottled elephants, cost £60 each. The importer refused £4,000 each for them in New York, and it is quite possible Barnum made the offer. The total cost of the ten landed in New York was £2,893; this includes freight (£1,500) and all charges I can only say that such a thing as a white elephant is “humbug" in my opinion.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Barton Grindrod. January 28, 1884.

— Grindrod, Barton. "Letters to Editor". The British Newspaper Archive. Pall Mall GazettePlus follow up article in the The Yonkers Statesman, March 19 1884

Grindrod arrived in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) before 1864. An article in the Freemasons Magazine and Masonic Mirror, February 1865, reports that Barton Grindrod had been the Worshipful Master of the Ceylon Freemasons, Sphinx Lodge, in 1864.