52 THE BARBARY APE. 



whenever, therefore, he had to perform the sefvicd 

 of his church, he was always 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 mounting on tlie 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 congrega- 

 tion were unavoidably urged to laugh. The father, 

 surprized and confounded at this ill-timed levity, 

 severely reproved his audience for their inattention. 

 The reproof failed in its effect, the congregation 

 still laughed, and the preacher, in the warmth of 

 his zeal, redoubled his vociferations and his actions t 

 these the Ape imitated so exactly, that the congre- 

 gation could no longer restrain themselves, but burst 

 out into a loud and continued laughter, A friend 

 of the preacher at length stepped up to him, and 

 pointed out the cause of this improper conduct ; 

 and such was the arch demeanour of his animal, 

 that it was with the utmost difficulty he could com- 

 mand the muscles of his countenance, and keep 

 himself apparently serious, while he ordered the 

 servants of the church to take him away. 



THE BARLARY APE *. 



The forests of India, Arabia, and Africa, are the 

 habitations of this species ; and they are so common 



* Synonyms.— Simla Inuus. L/;???.— M;in;ot. JB«/;^<;//.— Momenct. 

 Jo/i IIS fon.—Ydlovf Ape. Du /TwWe.—Eai bury Ape. Ptnnunt-Shuws 

 Gen. Zool. pi. 7,~-Bcw. iin(ul. p. 417. 



