MONKEY KIND. 297 



one of the most formidable of the savage race, in 

 those countries where it is bred. It appears, in 

 its native woods, to be impelled by two opposite 

 passions ; a hatred for the males of the human 

 species, and a desire for women. Were we as- 

 sured of these strange oppositions in its disposi- 

 tion from one testimony alone, the account might 

 appear doubtful ; but as it comes from a variety 

 of the most credible witnesses, we cannot refuse 

 our assent. From them, therefore, we learn, that 

 these animals will often assail women in a body, 

 and force them into the woods, where they keep 

 them against their will, and kill them when re- 

 fractory. From the Chevalier Forbin we learn, 

 that in Siam whole troops of these will often sally 

 forth from their forests, and attack a village, 

 when they know the men are engaged in their 

 rice harvest. They are on such occasions ac- 

 tuated as well by desire as by hunger j and not 

 only plunder the houses of whatever provisions 

 they can find, but endeavour to force the women. 

 These, however, as the Chevalier humorously 

 relates, not at all liking either the manners or 

 the figure of the paltry gallants, boldly stand on 

 their defence, and with clubs, or whatever other 

 arms they can provide, instead of answering their 

 caresses, oblige their ugly suitors to retreat ; not, 

 however, before they have damaged or plunder- 

 ed every thing eatable they can lay their hands 

 on. 



At the Cape of Good Hope they are less for- 

 midable, but to the best of their power equally 

 mischievous. They are there under a sort of 



