THK OURANG OUTANG. 37 



When this creature was examined anatomically, so 

 many parts were like those of man in conformation, that 

 it might have excited wonder how they were productive 

 of such few advantages. The tongue, and all the organs 

 of the voice, were the same, and yet the animal was 

 dumb ; the brain was formed in the same manner with 

 that of man, and yet the creature wanted reason; an 

 evident proof (as Mr. Buffon finely observes) that no 

 disposition of matter will give mind ; and that the body, 

 how nicely soever formed, is formed in vain, when there 

 is not infused a soul to direct its operations. 



That of Tyson was a gentle, fond, harmless creature. 

 In its passage to England, those that it knew on ship 

 board, it would embrace with the greatest tenderness, 

 opening their bosoms, and clasping its hands about them. 

 Monkies of a lower species it held in utter aversion; it 

 would always avoid the place where they were kept in 

 the same vessel ; and seemed to consider itself as a 

 creature of higher extraction. After it was taken, and a 

 little used to wear clothes, it grew very fond of them ; a 

 part it would put on without any help, and the rest it 

 would carry in its hands to some of the company, for their 

 assistance. It would lie in a bed, place its head on a 

 pillow, and pull the clothes upwards, as a man would do. 



That which was seen by Edwards, and described by 

 Buffon, shewed even a superior degree of sagacity. It 

 walked, like all of its kind, upon two legs, even though it 

 carried burthens. Its air was melancholy, and its deport- 

 ment grave. Unlike the baboon or monkey, whose 

 motions are violent and appetites capricious, who are 

 fond of mischief, and obedient only from fear, this animal 

 was slow in its motions, and a look was sufficient to keep 

 it in awe. I have seen it, says M. Buffon, give its hand 

 to show the company to the door ; I have seen it sit at 

 table, unfold its napkin, wipe its lips, make use of the 

 spoon and the fork to carry the victuals to its mouth, 

 pour out its drink into a glass, touch glasses when invited, 

 take a cup and saucer and lay them on the table, put in 

 sugar, pour out its tea, leave it to cool before drinking, 

 and all this without any other instigation than the signs 

 or the command of its master, and often of its own accord. 

 It was gentle and inoffensive ; it even approached strangers 

 with respect, and came rather to receive caresses than to 

 offer injuries. It was particularly fond of sugared comfits, 

 which every body was ready to give it; and, as it had 

 a defluxion upon the breast, so much contributed to increase 



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