| Description | Exeter Change, built on the site of Exeter House near the Strand, was in the eighteenth century largely given over to shops and warehouses. By the nineteenth century the building had become a menagerie and a very popular London attraction. Among the animals put on show was a tame performing elephant given the name Chunee.The animal had been brought from India in 1809 and had originally performed in the theatre at Covent Garden and Drury Lane - accompanying the great Edmund Kean at one time. Bought by the Exeter Change menagerie, Chunee was taught to perform tricks for the paying customers and was the show's star attraction. Towards the end of his life, succumbing to confinement, old age, and an infected tusk, Chunee became aggressive and ungovernable. It was decided he was too dangerous to keep and should be put to death. Following an attempt to poison the creature and a botched civilian firing squad, soldiers were summoned from nearby Somerset House. To the consternation of Chunee's fellow inmates, the soldiers, with little competence, fired 152 musket balls at the animal - but could not bring it down. A cannon was called for but before it could arrive a keeper has pierced the animal's vital organs with a harpoon and finally brought it down. Chunee expired shortly thereafter. Engraving by G Cruikshank. |