Imi] AND SYMBOLS. 159 



privileged circles, can, in matters of fashion, rely on the follow- 

 ing of a flock of the sheeps'-heads amongst us. p. 



Imitation as a Deceiver's Art. 



The natives of South Africa designate the puff-adder ( Vipera 

 inflata) the Noga-poutsane or the goat's serpent, because it 

 makes at night a bleating exactly resembling that animal. 

 There were, says Livingstone, certainly no goats in the place 

 where he happened to hear it. The natives suppose that by this 

 bleating it hopes to deceive the traveller, and draw him within 

 its reach. D. 



Ludicrous Effects of Imitation. 



What ludicrous results may be observed where men imitate 

 with servility the doings of others ! The ambitious young 

 preacher who is setting up as a genius, copies the peculiari- 

 ties in attitude and manner of the popular preacher near him, 

 and causes actual merriment in the very matters in which he 

 thinks he is most effective. Tom Snob the rich soap-boiler, 

 and his corpulent spouse, affect the airs, elegances, and foibles 

 of the aristocracy, and either get themselves into serious diffi- 

 culties by the attempt, or at least make a fortunate escape 

 amidst the derision of all beholders. These folks in their antics 

 are very like those monkeys whose imitative power, Hams says, 

 the Indians turn to destruction in this way : Coming to their 

 haunts with basins full of water or honey, they wash their faces 

 in the sight of these animals, and then substituting pots of thin 

 glue instead of the water or honey, they retire out of sight 

 The monkeys, as soon as they are gone, come down and wash 

 their faces likewise, and sticking their eyes together, become 

 blind and are easily captured. In other places they brought 

 boots into the woods, and putting them on and off, left them, 

 well lined with glue or a sort of bird-lime ; so that when the 

 unhappy monkeys put them on, they stuck fast, and hindered 

 their escape. How many men have found it impossible to 

 extricate themselves from corresponding difficulties into which 

 they have been drawn through attempting to "swell" it off in 

 the boots of the aristocracy ! p. 



