Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-07-27
AGE OF ANIMALS.

In 1869 there was chimpanzee i'll the
.Jardin des Plants, at Paris. which was
twenty four years old. lie probably
starved to death, in common with most
of the animals, during the seige. was
in London in 1864, when, having land
ed in Plymouth, Chin stopped for two
days at the Geological Gardens in Re
gents Park, on his way to Paris. lie
was then nearly ten. There We're two
female Chims there, and he was allow
cd to lodge in separate compartment
of their cage for a couple OF nights.
On his appearance, both of these young
ladies uttered cries of recognition. He
had scarcely felt the floor under his
feet when he began to pay attention to
his countrywomen. thus unexpectedly
found. Their surprise and apparent
fear gradually subsidized, and they stood
watching him attentively, when he
broke out in a characteristic pas Seul,
which he kept up considerable tine,
uttering cries scarcely more hideous
than the notes of Chinese singer, and
not far out of unison with his loudly
beating feet. The Chin maidcns grad
ually relaxed their reserve as the vlvac-
ity of the dance increased until at last,
when it was over, each stealthlly put %
hand through the grillo, and welcomed
their friend and brother.
Chin thenceforth. during hts stay,
made himself as agreeable as possible;
and, when the time for his departure
came, the maidens exhibited the live
lest regret, even to tears, at losing him.
The climate and diet of Paris agreed
with him. He had his daily walks, ate
the choicest dishes, drank his pint of
Bordeaux every day, used a fork and
spoon at his meals, enjoyed excellent
health, and, though somewhat sobered
and slig gray at his advanced age
two years ago, showed no symptoms Of
decay 1t is to be hoped that he es-
capped the distress Of the siege, If for
no other reason than to settle the long
disputed point of the age to which
monkeys may attain.
Before proceeding to my subject, let
me tell an anecdote OF Chin. The last
time saw him he had came out to
taste the morning air in the large cir
cuar Enclosure in front Of the Palais
DIES Singes, which was built for tour
poor relations" by NJ Theirs. Here
Chin began his day by a leisurely prom
enade, casting pleased and thankful
chances toward the early summer sun.
He had three coatimundis attending
him and while making all manner Of
eyes at q young person who was supply
ing him with cakes and pastry, one of
the former dealt him from behind a
stealthy bite Chin looked round with
astonishment at this audacious outrage
on his person, exhibited no anger, but
the circle, and seized cane. He re
turned, with majestic wrath upon his
brow. and, taking coat by the tail, APP
piled the cane sharply to the offenders
ribs, always in Il direction parallel to
the spine. When he thought sufficient
punishment had been administered, he
disposed of him, without moving a
muscle of his countenance, by left
handed jerk, which threw coat high
in the air, head over heels. He came
down sadder and better coat, and re-
tired with shame to distant corner.
Chin then betook himself to his own
tree. A large baboon followed him,
and seated himself upon the next
branch below. This was an unpardon-
able attempt at familiarity. Chin slow
ly turned his head, measured the dis
lance, raised his hind foot, and COM
posedly kicked the intruder in the
arena below. To what perfection of de
velopmcnt of thought Chin might
have came at last is doubtful; but if
he still lives, one will doubtless ask of
him, as an African Prince asked of Du
Chaillu, after long looking at an
orang outang, Master, does he speak
English yetY'
There are instances of lions having
reached the age of 10 years. Pompey,
who died in the tower of London, in
1850, was nearly an octogenarian. He
was lorest-born. But Of the 3l9 whelps
that have been born during the last
thirty years, in Regents Park, full one
halt have come into the world with
cleft palates and have died in infancy,
because they could not suck. The
keepers filled their nostrils with tow,
and tried various other devices, but it
did no good. They could get no sus-
tenance, and perianed in consequence.
The average age Of the lion is probably
about thirty years. There is this, how
ever, to be said about him: In the do
mcsticatcd state he never has a chance.
He PAGES backward and forward in the
nutshell of cage. In Paris and Lon
don the bear has his pole, the deer his
paddock, and the otter his pool, where
each has liberty enough to preserve his
health, but the lion is stalled like an
OK, till he grows puffy and lethargic.
or all the terrestrial mammalia, the
elephant seems to be the longest liver,
sometimes exceeding century. One
historical individual is reported to have
attained much greater age. When
Alexander the Great invaded the do
miniOns of Porus, one of the Raiahs
of Upper India, he took great ele.
phant from the conquered Prince,
named him Ajax, dedicated him to the
sun, and let him 90 with this inscrip-
ton, Alexander, the son of Jupiter,
hath dedicated Ajax to the SUM- The
animal is said to have been found with
the inscription $50 years afterward. 1t
need hardly be remarked, to prevent
full credence being given to this rela-
ton, that it rests upon the very dubi-
Gus authority of ancient times. How
ever, the elephant, beyond doubt, often
rounds the century and, if not the
king, is entitled to be considered the
patriarch of beasts.