ANIMALS. 417 



flat, and yet rising behind. They sometimes walk upright, and 

 sometimes upon all-fours, when they are fantastically disposed.* 

 From this description of the oran-outang, we perceive at what 

 a distance the first animal of the brute creation is placed from 

 the very lowest of the human species. Even in countries 

 peopled with savages, this creature is considered as a beast ; and 

 in those very places where we might suppose the smallest differ- 

 ence between them and mankind, the inhabitants hold it in the 

 greatest contempt and detestation. In Borneo, where this ani- 

 mal has been said to come to its greatest perfection, the natives 

 hunt it in the same manner as they pursue the elephant or the 

 lion, while its resemblance to the human form procures it neither 

 pity nor protection. The gradations of Nature in the other 

 parts of nature are minute and insensible ; in the passage from 

 quadrupeds to fishes we can scarcely tell where the quadruped 

 ends and the fish begins ; in the descent from beasts to insects 

 we can hardly distinguish the steps of the progression ; but in 

 the ascent from brutes to man, the line is strongly drawn, well 

 marked, and unpassable. It is in vain that the oran-outang re- 

 sembles man in form, or imitates many of his actions ; he still 

 continues a wretched helpless creature, pent up in the most 

 gloomy part of the forest, and, with regard to the provision for 

 his own happiness, inferior even to the elephant or the beaver in 

 sagacity. To us, indeed, this animal seems much wiser than it 

 really is. As we have long been used to measure the sagacity 



• Pere Caubasson brought up an oran-outang, wliich, became so fond of him, 

 that, wherever he went, it always seemed desirous of accompanying him : 

 whenever, therefore, he had to perform the service of his church, he was 

 under the necessity of shutting it up in a room. Once, however, the ani- 

 mal escaped, and followed the father to the church ; where, silently mount, 

 ing the sounding board above the pulpit, he lay perfectly still till the ser- 

 mon commenced. He then crept to the edge, and, overlooking the preacher, 

 imitated all liis gestures in so grotesque a manner, that the whole congre- 

 gation were unavoidably urged to laugh. The father, surprised and con. 

 founded at this ill-timed le\dty, severely rebuked liis aiidicnce for their In. 

 attentioru The reproof failed in its effect ; the congregation still lauglied, 

 aud the preacher, in the warmth of his zeal, redoubled his vociferations and 

 his actions; these the ape imitaced so exactly, tliat the congregation could 

 no longer restrain themselves, but burst out into a loud and continued 

 laughter. A friend of the preacher at length stepped up to liim, and pointed 

 out the cause of this improper conduct ; and such was the arch demeanour 

 of liis animal, that it was with the utmost diinculty he could command the 

 muscles of liis countenance, and keep himself apparently serious, wliile lie 

 ordered the servants of the chwch to take liiin away. 



