At the present moment there is no specimen of either the uran or
chimpanzee in the Gardens, but there have been at least half a dozen
located here within the last ten years, one of which, "Jenny," maintained
her health for five years. The damp, cold air of the Gardens at last
brought on consumption; and the public must remember the poor, wheezing,
dying brute, with a plaster on her chest and blankets around her, the very
picture of a moribund old man. The only specimen now in Europe is in the
Jardin des Plantes, at Paris. This animal, one of the finest ever seen, is
in excellent health, and promises to maintain it in the bright air of La
Belle France. An accomplished naturalist has kindly furnished us with the
following particulars of this brute, which clearly indicate that he is a
very Dr. Busby among his fellows:--
"He passed through London on his way to Paris, having landed at
Plymouth. There were then two female Chims resident in the Gardens in
the Regent's Park, and the French Chim was allowed to lodge in their
hotel for a couple of nights. On his appearance both of these young
ladies uttered cries of recognition, which however evinced more fear
than anything else. Chim was put into a separate compartment, or room
with a double grille, to prevent the probable injuries which
discordant apes will inflict on each other. He had scarcely felt the
floor under his feet when he began to pay attention to his
countrywomen thus suddenly and unexpectedly found. Their fear and
surprise gradually subsided, and they stood watching him attentively,
when he broke out into a characteristic _pas seul_, which he kept up
for a considerable time, uttering cries scarcely more hideous than
seem the notes of a Chinese singer, and not far out of unison with his
loudly-beating feet. The owner, who was present, said that he was
imitating a dance of the negroes, which the animal had often seen
while resident in his house in Africa. The animal was upwards of a
year and a half old, and had spent one year of his life in this
gentleman's house. The Chim maidens gradually relaxed their reserve as
the vivacity of the dance increased, until at last, when it was over,
each stealthily put a hand through the grille and welcomed their
friend and brother to their home in a far land. As the weather was
severe--it was early in December--it is possible that their talk was
of their native palm-groves and their never-ending summer. Chim
thenceforth made himself as agreeable as possible, and when the time
for his departure came, the maidens exhibited the liveliest regret,
short of tears, at losing him. At Paris he increased rapidly in
stature and intelligence. The climate, diet (he drinks his pint of
Bordeaux daily), and lively society of the French seem to be more
congenial to Chim's physique than our melancholy London. He makes
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