56 



A NEW HISTORY OF 



in form and feature. In fact, it might compete 

 with some of the negro family, for the prize of 

 beauty. But, still it cannot speak ! — No — not one 

 single solitary word can it utter, in accordance with 

 those produced by the human voice. In this parti- 

 cular, several of the birds may take precedence 

 of it. The raven, starling, jackdaw, jay and 

 magpie can learn to say, et how do you do ? " — 

 " I can't get out, no I can't get out/' said the 

 poor captive starling. Quadrupeds seem not to 

 have this privilege. Balaam s ass to be sure, once 

 spoke a few words, but those were miraculous. 

 And again, Leibnitz mentions a dog that could 

 articulate thirty words : still, as the Spanish pro- 

 verb informs us, — one swallow does not make 

 summer : — C£ una golondrina no hace verano." 



In sight, scent, and agility amongst the trees, 

 we may allow the ape to claim superiority over 

 man. In other qualities, it is inferior to him. 

 After man, it may possibly hold the first place in 

 the graduated scale of animated nature ; and this, 

 methinks, is all that ought to be granted to any 

 individual of the monkey family. 



The second living ape which has come under my 

 inspection, is the great red orang-outang from the 

 island of Borneo. I went up to London, expressly 

 to see it at the Zoological Gardens which are under 



