?8 THE SPEECH OF MONKEYS. 



I have described elsewhere as that of intense 

 alarm or assault. 



Nellie was an affectionate little creature, and 

 could not bear to be left alone even when sup- 

 plied with toys and everything she wanted to 

 eat. When she saw me put on my overcoat or 

 get my hat and cane she knew what it meant, 

 and when she saw my wife, to whom she was 

 much devoted, put on her cloak and bonnet 

 she at once foresaw that she would be left 

 alone. Then she would plead and beg and 

 chatter until she would sometimes dissuade my 

 wife, and she seemed aware that she had ac- 

 complished her purpose. I have watched her by 

 the hour through a small hole in the door, and 

 when quite alone she would play with her toys 

 in perfect silence, and sometimes for hours to- 

 gether she would not utter a single word. She 

 was not an exception to the rule which I have 

 mentioned heretofore, that monkeys do not talk 

 when alone or when it is not necessary to their 

 comfort or pleasure , and while I am aware that 

 their speech is -far inferior to human speech, yet 

 in it there is an eloquence that soothes and a 

 meaning that appeals to the human heart. 



