YOUNG GORILLAS. 
35 
Many attempts have been made to obtain a live Gorilla for exhibition in Europe, and some 
years since a showman really had one which lie called a Chimpanzee, but the fact was not known to 
scientific men until a photograph of the creature was exhibited after its death. In June, 1876, 
Mr. Moore, the learned curator of the Free Public Museum, wrote to the Times after seeing a young 
Gorilla in that town. lie stated — “A veritable young living Gorilla was yesterday brought into 
Liverpool by the German African Society’s Expedition, which arrived by the steamship Loanda , from 
the West Coast. The animal is a young male, in the most perfect health and condition, and measures 
nearly three feet in height. Its beetling brows, flattened podgy nose, black muzzle, small ears, and 
thick fingers, cleft only to the second joint, distinguish it unmistakably from the Chimpanzee. 
“ Could it have graced our own Zoological Gardens it would have been the lion of the day ; for, in 
addition to the great scientific interest of the species, the abounding life, energy, and joyous spirits of 
this example would have made it a universal favourite. Courteously received at Eberle’s Alexandra 
Hotel by the members of the Exhibition, I found the creature romping and rolling in full liberty 
about the private drawing-room, now looking out of the window with all becoming gravity and 
sedateness, as though interested, but not disconcerted, by the busy multitude and novelty without, 
then bounding rapidly along on knuckles and feet to examine and poke fun at some new comer; 
playfully mumbling at liis calves, pulling at his beard (a special delight), clinging to his arms, 
examining his hat (not at all to its improvement), curiously inquisitive as to his umbrella, and so on 
with visitor after visitor. If lie becomes over excited by the fun, a gentle box on the ear would 
bring him to order like a child, like a child only to be on the romp again immediately. He points 
with the index finger, claps with his hands, pouts out his tongue, feeds on a mixed diet, decidedly 
prefers roast meats to boiled, eats strawberries, as I saw, with delicate approciativeness, is exquisitely 
clean and mannerly. The palms of his hands and feet are beautifully plump, soft, and black its jet. 
He has been eight months and a half in the possession of the Expedition, has grown some six inches 
in that time, and is supposed to be between two and three years of age.” All other attempts here 
tailed, and hence we have to rely upon the word of men who tell very different stories regarding the 
behaviour of the Gorilla in captivity. All are agreed that adults have never been kept, but Du Chaillu 
and others have had young ones to watch and observe. 
Du Chaillu insists on the ill-temper, ferocity, and untamable nature of the young Gorilla, as the 
results of his experience. One was brought to him about three years of age, with its neck put in the 
cleft of a stick to keep it quiet, and after much trouble they got it into a bamboo cage. It was a 
little black thing of two feet six inches in height, and its habits, escapes, and death are amusingly 
told. “ As soon as I had the little fellow safely locked in his cage, I ventured to approach to say a 
few encouraging words to him. He stood in the furthest corner, but, as I approached, lie bellowed and 
made a precipitate rush at me ; and though I retreated as quickly as I could lie succeeded in catching 
my trouser leg, which he grasped with one of his feet, and tore, retreating immediately to the comer 
furthest away. This taught me caution for the present, though I had a hope still to be able to tame 
him. He sat in his corner looking wickedly out of his gray eyes, and I never saw a more morose or 
more ill-tempered face than had this little beast. The first thing was, of course, to attend to the wants 
of my captive. I sent for some of the forest- berries which these animals are known to prefer, and 
placed these and a cup of water within his reach. He was exceedingly shy, and would neither eat nor 
drink till I had removed to a considerable distance. The second day found Joe, as I had named him, 
fiercer than the first. He rushed savagely at any one who stood even for a moment near his cage, and 
seemed ready to tear us all to pieces. I threw him some pine-apple leaves, of which 1 noticed 
he ate only the v,hite parts. There seemed no difficulty about his food, though he refused now, and 
continued during his short life to refuse, all food except such wild leaves and fruits as were gathered 
from his native woods for him. The third day he was still morose and savage, bellowing when any 
person approached, and either retiring to a distant comer or rushing to attack. On the fourth day, 
while no one was near, the little rascal succeeded in forcing apart two of the bamboo rails which com- 
posed his cage, and made his escape. I came up just as his flight was discovered, and immediately get 
all the negroes together for pursuit, determining to surround the wood and recapture my captive. I 
was startled by an angry growl issuing from under my low bedstead. It was Master Joe, who lay 
there hid, but anxiously watching my movements. J instantly shut the windows, and called to 
