Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-03-30
How to Stop the BrayIng OF Donkey.

NJ. Hue, in this Travels in China, relates the fol-
lowing amusing story:
"In 1910. we were once making a journey in a
wagon in the province of Pekin. Our equipage was
under the guidance of one of our catechsts an old
se8ooImaster, mounted on a magnificent ass so full
of ardor and agility that the two mules who compile
led our team had all the difficulty in the world to
keep up with him. This ass however was so filled
with me sense OF his OWN superiority, and pr )ud
OF it, that whenever he became aware of the presence
OF any OF his brethren lG them be at ever so great
distance he never failed to begin Boosting Of it in
such loud and senorus tones that his folly became
quite lnsupPOrtable. When got to an inn instead
OF trying to rest himself, this ndefatiable beast pas
sed the whole night in practising his music; and
there appeared to he something peculiarly provo
king in the tones Of his voice that all the asses with
in hearing, Influenced, it would seem, by the power
OF some magnetic fluid, quite sure to respond in
magnificent hravuTa, that, altogether, it became
impossible TO close our eyes. One evening when our
catechist Vaunng the qualities of his ass, we
could not help interrupting him. Your ass" said
we, " is abomniable brute. During the whole
journey be has prevented our getting wink of sleep"
" Why did you not tell me so before 2? said the cate
chist :" would soon have stopped his singing"
As the ancient sch0olmaster was somewhat of wag
and INDUCED occasionally in small Joke we took
little notice OF his reply, but that gh we slept quite
soundly. " Well, did the make noise last night?'
said he, when we met in the morning. Perhaps
n0t; at all events we certainly did not hear him -
" no. 10 think not; saw to that before went to
bed. You must have noticed he continued, that
when an ass is going to bray he always begins by
raising his tail, and he keeps it extended horizontally
as long as his song lasts. To ensure his silence,
therefore, you have only to lie large stone to the
end OF his tail so that he cannot raise it." We smiled
without reply, thinking this was another piece OF
pleasantly; but he cried, & Come now and see voa
can easily COnVicc yourselves" And ACCORDINGLY we
followed him to The courtyard where We beheld
sure enough The poor ass with large stone attached
10 MS tai, and with the air Of having entirely lost
his accustomed spirits. His eyes Were fixed On the
ground, his ears, hung down, his whole appearance
denoted humility and detection. We felt quite com
passionate towards him and begged his master to un-
tie the stone directly: and as soon as ever he felt his
m1scai apPendage at liberty, the raised first
ms hoaQ then his ears, then his TAIL and at last began
to bray with all his wonted enthusiasm"
What pity that this plan Of si!encing donkeys
cannot be made of general application. There are
assemblies, both east and west, in which. were it
available it might be adopted to the saving of much
time an noise Imagine certain alderman-a GER
tain member Of the Legislature Or OF Congress-tied
to compelled silence 8 his eyes fixed the ground
and his ears hung down -