WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY 



THE CHIMPANZEE JOE. 



Joe was a great favourite, full of tricks and tolerably 

 intelligent. Many of his funny ways have been told in 

 print. I frequently had him on my back and shoulders, 

 and was so familiar with him that I, in fact, thought him 

 perfectly free from vice ; in this, however, I was greatly 

 deceived. Master Joe seemed particularly fond of a man 

 named Dexter, employed in the menagerie ; Dexter now 

 and then would have a romp with Joe. One day Joe was 

 on Dexter's back apparently full of fun when, without the 

 slightest warning, he flew at Dexter's throat, biting him 

 severely, and it was with some difficulty that he was 

 removed. After this my advice was, " Keep Joe at a re- 

 spectful distance." This treachery is not uncommon among 

 pet wild animals. 



POOR joe's effects. 



The following letter appears to have been intended for 



the '' animal doctor " who had had the honour of treating 



the famous chimpanzee : — 



"Zoo, 

 " April \,\^ni. 



" Sir, — Your account for the medicine supplied to poor 'Joe' 

 has come to hand ; I am at a loss to know what to do about it. 

 It is difficult, and perhaps impossible, to ascertain what property 

 ' Joe ' has left in his native country. He has not supplied us with 

 the names and addresses of any of his family, and he died with- 

 out a will, in fact, he died much against his will, and the very 

 small effects (principally his wardrobe) left by him, if sold by 

 auction, would barely cover the expense of the advertisement; 

 and unless well advertised no one would look at them. i 



" It is quite possible they would sell better if not looked at \ 

 Another difficulty will be to catalogue the lots ; they would con- 

 sist of wearing apparel (and, may we say, jewellery) ; his chain, 

 collar, and fancy necklace might be thought a desirable addition \ 

 to some young swell's adornment, knowing how much their 



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