The Barbary Ape. 
Ill 
THE MAGOT, OR BARBARY A'PE, (Inuus sijlvanus,) 
Is a species of Monkey quite destitute of a tail, which 
inhabits the northern parts of Africa, and is also found 
on the Rock of Gibraltar. Caubasson relates a laughable 
anecdote of one of these animals, which he brought up 
tame, and which became so attached to him as to be 
desirous of accompanying him wherever he went : when, 
therefore, he had to perform divine service, he was under 
the necessity of shutting him up. One day, however, 
the animal escaped, and followed the father to church, 
where, silently mounting on the top of the sounding- 
board, above the pulpit, he lay perfectly quiet till the 
sermon began. He then crept to the edge, and, overlook- 
ing the preacher, imitated his gestures in so grotesque a 
manner, that the whole congregation were convulsed 
with laughter. Caubasson, surprised and displeased at 
this ill-timed levity, reproved his auditors for their in- 
attention ; and on the obvious failure of his reproof, he, 
in the warmth of zeal, redoubled his gesticulations and 
his vociferations. These the Ape so exactly imitated that 
all respect for their pastor was swallowed up in the 
scene before them, and they burst into a loud and con- 
tinued roar of laughter. A friend of the preacher at 
length stepped up to him; and on perceiving the cause of 
this hilarity, it was with the utmost difficulty he could 
command a serious countenance while he ordered the 
Ape to be taken away. 
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