82 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY, 
securing: the choicest morsels both with hands and feet, 
and then feeding with her mouth in the dish, using her 
lips in the manner of the horse, and evincing the greatest 
fear lest any portion should be taken from her; while the 
Chimpanzee sat perfectly upright, taking small portions 
gracefully between his thumb and forefinger, in the most 
placid and gentle manner; nor was his rage ever excited 
except by refusing him a part of an orange, of which he 
might have caught a glimpse, or that he knew (which he 
evidently did by the smell) was contained in your pocket. 
Neither of these animals ever secured portions of food in 
the cheek or pouch; nor did they appear to smell their 
food before eating, as most of the monkeys do, except it 
was some uncommon substance which they had not been 
accustomed to eat. Both were in the habit of using a 
glass in drinking, but they were never known to throw it 
down; they invariably either gave it back, or set it down 
in the most careful manner. The Chimpanzee, in parti- 
cular, was attracted by the brilliancy of colours, always 
getting up on the approach of any female whose dress was 
distinguished by the gaiety of its hues. 
He likewise evinced great joy in being placed at a win- 
dow, and would utter a scream of delight at the passing of 
horses and carriages; but nothing could exceed his rage 
when placed in a confined cage. He would then stand 
erect, crying, and shaking the bars with all his strength, 
until he obtained his release, when he would immediately 
fly to the arms of his liberator; and, such was his love of 
the society of those he knew, that the temptation of the 
choicest fruits would not entice him to remain in the room 
alone ; for, if at liberty he would run towards the door, 
and try to get out first, or would embrace your knees, and 
cry in the most piteous manner to be taken with you. 
During the whole time they were together, I never knew 
them attempt the least gambol or amusement of any kind, 
either together or individually; nor did they take any no- 
tice of other animals, as cats, monkeys, squirrels, &c., 
that were placed with them; but would sit for hours with 
the utmost gravity, as if absorbed in the most intense 
thought. At other times the male would examine your 
person, pockets, and hands, with the most minute atten- 
tion. Confinement seemed to be the most dreaded punish- 
ment; and, when threatened with that, he would cling to 
any one present for protection; and, at night, actual force 
was required to confine him to his bed, the female gene- 
rally retiring of her own accord many hours before him. 
When called to by name, (Buck,) he generally answered 
with a short cry, putting out his hands to be taken up. 
The instinct of providing and placing warm materials 
for her bed was the most marked in the female, who 
would be engaged for two hours at a time in dragging 
blankets from various parts of the room, smoothing and 
changing their position, and beating any raised part down 
with her knuckles; assuming at the same time a look of 
gravity and an appearance of wisdom. This capacity of 
providing and preparing a nightly lodging, seemed to be 
almost extinct in the Chimpanzee, possibly from his so- 
ciality and confidence in man, as he took no care in this 
particular; but if no place were provided for him, and, 
even when provided, if he did not like it, he would climb 
into the bed of his keeper. The timidity of both animals 
was remarkable, they being exceedingly alarmed even at 
inanimate objects; a toy-dog, or a cast of one of their own 
species, that was in the room, if removed the least towards 
them, was sufficient to drive them to the farthest extremity 
of the apartment, in their most nimble, though not very 
quick pace; and the fear exhibited by the female, at the 
sight of her deadly enemy, a boa constrictor, was most 
acutely evinced. It would appear as if they had not the 
power of distinguishing between the real and artificial, as 
a toy-snake shown to her produced the same results. 
The hearing of both animals was remarkably acute, 
catching the most indistinct noise at a considerable dis- 
tance; and their knowledge of sounds was accurately 
shown; as, on hearing the footsteps, on the stairs, of per- 
sons with whom they were acquainted, they ran towards 
the door before it was opened. 
They were in the daily habit of riding in a coach, and 
on being seated, before the vehicle moved, they would se- 
cure themselves by getting a firm grasp of the hold-straps 
attached to the side of the coach. 
It would seem that they had some knowledge of time; 
for, as the hour approached at which they were removed 
to their nightly residence, they would of their own accord 
get the blankets, and enfold themselves, in readiness to 
depart; and if their removal were protracted beyond the 
usual time, it required force to prevent them from going 
to the door. The Chimpanzee having caught a cold, 
which ultimately caused his death, he had a violent cough, 
that in sound was remarkably human; and as, when a fit 
of coughing came on, he was usually given some sweet- 
meat or cordial to stop it, he soon adopted the cough as a 
mode of obtaining those additional luxuries. 
Nothing more evinced the impression which the ap- 
pearance of the two animals made upon the persons who 
saw them, than the exclamation that usually followed the 
first sight of them. The universal cry on seeing the 
Chimpanzee, was, “What a nice little fellow!” or, 
“What a little darling!” while his less favoured partner, 
although of the softer sex, was generally saluted with, 
“What a disgusting beast!” &c. During his illness, his 
pitiable looks and evident sufferings, with his placidity and 
