MONKEY. 
151 
thus the spoils are handed along the whole line, 
which generally terminates in some mountain. They 
are so dexterous and quick-sighted, that they sel- 
dom allow the fruit to fall in throwing it from one 
to another. All this is performed with profound 
silence and great dispatch. When the sentinels 
perceive any person, they cry ; and at this signal 
the whole troop fly oft" with astonishing rapidity. 
The imitative disposition of these creatures is so 
great, that we ought to be careful, when in their 
presence, not to set any example that we do not 
wish them to follow. Mr. Boodle, a gentleman 
of considerable fortune, kept a baboon in his house, 
who nearly lost his life by too closely copying 
the actions of his master. A large box of cathartic 
pills had been sent by the apothecary, with direc- 
tions for Mr. Boodle to take two of them occa- 
sionally s it so happened that Jack (the baboon’s 
name) was present when he took the first dose ; and 
without considering the baboon, Mr. B. placed the 
box upon the mantle-piece. The cunning animal, 
who had been carefully observing his master, was 
no sooner left alone than he reached down the box 
of pills, and not exactly understanding the label, 
he deliberately swallowed them all one after the 
other, and, replacing the box upon the mantle, 
went down stairs, and seated himself by the kitchen 
fire. Here, however, he remained but a short time ; 
for the strength of the physic, aided by the heat, 
produced such a terrible commotion, that Jack was 
obliged to make use of both his hands to prevent 
