THE HBN FEVER. 281 



or indifferent, that may be had ; which I will furnish to 

 my numerous friends, patrons, and the rest of mankind, in 

 Europe, Asia, Africa or America, at all hours of the day or 

 night (Sundays excepted) ; and at prices so reasonable that 

 Christendom shall ' vote me ' a philanthropist, or no sale. 



" Among Hiy most recently received samples, I beg espe- 

 cially to call the attention of fanciers, amateurs and breed- 

 ers, to a ' vaggin-load of monkeys, vith their tails burned 

 off,' which I warrant will not frighten the most skittish of 

 horses. A crate of she-basilisks, of most virtuous exteriors, 

 and with eyes as large as saucers. Eleven pet elephants 

 (intended to have been offered to Mr. Barnum, but who 

 informs me that he has done breeding them, on account of 

 the high price of provender). One pair of red ostriches, — 

 supposed to be the original progenitors of the famous ' Co- 

 chin-China ' race of poultry. (The male has a ' horse-shoe 

 mark ' upon his breast, described by certain modern authors 

 on poultry. Unluckily for this theory, however, I happen 

 to know that this individual was kicked by a mare of mine, 

 while the beauty was skulking behind her, and attempting 

 to rob her of the corn she was eating from her crib.) I have 

 a trio of very healthy walruses, from Norway, that will eat 

 snowballs from your hand. Also, a brace of young masto- 

 dons, very docile, and as easily kept, almost, as a trio of 

 ' Brahma Pootras.' Three green swans (delightfully green), 

 that never seek for or approach the water ; supposed not 



