78 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
are heroic differences of opinion. Mr. Ford records the 
“ implacable desperation ” of a juvenile which was 
brought to the Mission. “ It was taken very young, and 
kept four months, and many means were used to tame 
it ; but it was so incorrigible, that it bit me an hour 
before it died.” Yet, in face of this and other evidence, 
Mr. W. "Win wood Reade, writing to the “ Athenaeum ” 
(September 7, 1862), asserts that “ the young gorilla 
in captivity is not savage.” “ Joe Gorilla,” M. du 
Chaillu’s brat, was notoriously fierce and unmanageable, 
'[’lie Rev. Mr. Walker, of Baraka, had a specimen, which 
lie describes as a very tractable pupil ; and my excellent 
friend Major Noeli y White, better known as “ Governor 
White,” of Corisco Island, brought to Fernando Po a 
baby Njfna, which in its ways and manners much 
resembled an old woman. Mr. R. B. N. Walker became 
the happy godfather of two youngsters, who were 
different in disposition as Valentine and Orson. One, 
which measured 18 inches high, and died in 1861, 
was so savage and morose, that it was always kept 
chained ; the other, “ Seraphino,” was of angelic nature, 
a general favourite at the Factory : it survives, in a 
photograph taken by the French Commandant of the 
Oomptoir, as it sat after breakfast on godpapa’s lap. 
At first it was confined, but it soon became so tame 
and playful, that the cage was required only at night. 
It never bit, unless when teased, and its only fault was 
not being able to avoid the temptation of eating what 
disagreed with it — in fact, it was sub-human in some 
points, and very human in others. All died in direct 
consequence of dysentery, which even a milk diet could 
not prevent. Perhaps the best way to send home so 
delicate an animal would be to keep it for a time in its 
native forest ; to accustom it to boiled plantains, rice, 
and messes of grain ; and to ship it during the fine 
season, having previously fitted up a cabin near the 
engine-room, where the mercury should never fall below 
70° (Falir.). In order to escape nostalgia and melan- 
choly, which are sure to be fatal, the emigrant should 
lie valeted by a faithful and attached native. 
