60 



A NEW HISTORY OF 



habits. This orang-outang however, by his affabi- 

 lity and correctness, appeared to make amends for 

 the sins of his brethren. " Nature seemed to have 

 done with her resentments in him and I bade him 

 farewell, impressed with the notion, that he was a 

 model of perfection, which might be imitated with 

 advantage even by some of our own species. 



But, alas, I was most egregiously deceived in 

 the good opinion which I had entertained of him ; 

 for scarcely had I retired half a dozen paces from 

 the late scene of action, when an affair occurred 

 which beggars all description. In truth, I cannot 

 describe it : I dont know how to describe it : my 

 pen refuses to describe it. I can only give an 

 outline, and leave the rest to be imagined. 



This interesting son of Borneo, advanced with 

 slow and solemn gravity to the bars of his prison, 

 and took a position exactly in front of the assem- 

 bled spectators. The ground upon which he stood 

 was dry ; but, immediately it became a pool of 

 water, by no means from a pure source. Ladies 

 blushed and hid their faces; — whilst gentlemen 

 laughed outright. 



I was scandalized beyond measure, at this 

 manifest want of good breeding on the part of 

 this shaggy gentleman from the forests of Borneo. 

 He confirmed for ever, my early opinion, that, 



