, 1861-09-26
The Monkey Pilgrims.

The following account Of singular custom
among the monkeys in the East is taken from
sketches from India, published in Household
Words. We have reason to believe the story
is true.
About two miles from the bungalow to which
we were proceeding, we overlook large tribe Of
MONKEYS. I should say as many as four hum
dred; and each carried stick Of uniform length
and shape. They moved along in ranks or com
panies, just, in short, as though they were imi-
tasing a wing Of a regiment Of infantry. AT the
head Of this tribe was an old and very powerful
monkey, who was no doubt the chief It was
very odd sight, and became greatly interested
in the movement Of the creatures.
There could he no question that they had
either some business or some pleasure on hand !;
in fact, each carrying stick led us to conclude
that it was the former upon which they were
bent. Their destination was, like ours, evidently
Deobund, where there were some hundreds OF
monkeys fed by a number Of Brahmlns who
live near q Hindoo temple there, and perform re-
ligious ceremonies. They (this monkey regi-
ment) would not get out Of the road on our ac-
count, nor disturb themselves in any way; and
my friend was afraid to drive through their
ranks, or over any of them, for when assailed
they are the most ferocious brutes, and armed
as they were and in such numbers, they could
have annhilated US with the greatest ease
There was no help for u.s. therefore, but to let the
mare proceed at walk in the rear Of the tribe,
the members Of which, now that we were near
ing Deobund, began to chatter frightfully. Just
before we came to the bungalow, they left the
road, and took the direction Of the temple
Fain would we have followed them, but to do so
in buggy would have been impossible, for they
crossed over some very rough ground and two
bitches. My friend therefore requested the
sewers to follow them and report all they might
observe of their actions.
NV friend mentioned to the Khansamah, a
very old but very active and intelligent man,
the sight we had seen on the road-the regiment
Of monkeys.
"AhP" exclaimed the old man, "it is about
the time"
"what timer"
"Well, Sahi6, about every five years that
tribe comes up the country to pay visit to this
place; and another tribe comes up the country
the hills. They meet in Jungle behind the
old HindOo temple, and there embrace each
other as though they were human beings and
old friends who had parted for length Of time.
| have seen in that Jungle as many as four or
five thousand. The BFahmins say that one large
| tribe comes all the way from Ajmere, and
another from the southern side of the country,
and from Napal and rrihoot There were hun.
dfeds of monkeys here this morning, but now
do not see one | suppose they have gone to
welcome their friends"
The sewers who had been deputed to follow
the tribe now rode up, aud reported that, in the
vicinity Of the old temple, there was an army Of
apes--an army Of forty thousandl One of the
sewers, in the true spirit of Oriental exaggera-
ton, expressed himself to the effect that It would
30 easier to count the hairs Of ones head than
the number there assembled
"I.et US 90 and look at them" I suggested
" and by the time We return the lady nav be
stirring"
"But we will not 20 on foot" said my friend !;
- We win ride tho sowers' horses. In the first
ploce have an Instructive horror Of anes. and
should like to have the means of getting away
from them speedily, if they became too familiar
or offensive. In the second place do not wish
to fatigue myself by takiug 80 long A walk in tie
heat Of the day," -.
We mounted the horses and were soon nj the
spot Indicated by Inc sowers, There were not
so many rs had been represented: but lam speak
inc very G,r within hoT,nds whsn i state that