New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-22
THE LIGHT-FINGERED MONKEY.
From Lippinnnfrs Mnnn-1n,.

From IfDDfnr0NR Magazine
II the mental characteristics OF the four handed
folk have anything in common with the arch-iype
of orr race, there would seem 10 he a strong pre-
sumptvc evidence that man Is not per ndfTam law,
abiding animal. The Psamist may have stretched
his poetic license when he assured MS that all men
are liars but there is no doubt that all monkeys are
thieves They all steal in their native land dcprc-
dation forms their daily aud constant employment
and Nature has done her utmost 10 equip them for
their trade The monkey llannnan Is the Indian
Mercury, the patron saint ~ eh"phiterS AMI iIcH-
hooters. Light-fngcred, quick and pichcnsile lbs
four hands seem especially adapted for pillagc; he
carries double kit" pair Of capacious, check
pouches for storing his plumber; his aroroal doni-
cile furnishes him ready made ambassadors and Turk
ing places he cannot be- caught mapping, his head
moves on a versatile fulCrun, and his furtvc eyes
are ever the alert. 1t is wholly impossible to
cure n monkey Of his raptorlal penchant: yet you
may tame him till he makes your lap his favorltc
hiding place, you NAV surfclt him with tdbts, but
the moment you turn your back he will ransack the
room from top t0 bottom and cram his pouches with
everything bearing The faintcst resemblance to
comestibcs. In lindostan monkeys enjoy
all the privileges of Mahomctan lunatIc'
being permitted to rob the orchards with
impunity. decimate the rice crop and rob
all tho birriS nests they want; but. not
content with levying outdoor contributions,
they pillagc the cottages Of the natives while the
proprietors arr at work the fields nay, they often
manage to dcspci the ardcr Of the foreign residents,
or blackmail their children if they leave the bunga
low with a lunch-baskct OF pockrtful Of nuts
The Rev George THE mann, of the Moravian Mis-
sion, who passed several years in the Eastern Pun
jaub. describes the despair OF his German
cook at the impudcnce Of tho light
fingered gentry. II do not see how the natives
stand it," sand she, " if they take these balloons
for Christians, they ought tn have Pcnitcntiary III
every village II she went to the door 10 answer
bell the macaqucs entered the kitchen through the
rear window going to look after Ler sun-drcd
peaches. she f0nnd that the Bhundcr apes had been
beforehand wi III her; and II She left her bedroom
window open she was awakened by committee OF
llanumans taking az inventory Of her wardrobe.
One day she left the gardeners dinner under tree
where he used to take his scsta bur returning with
"a (,ermof an ~ tttaf ~ finn.
10 see troop Of Rhcsus balloons running of with
the dishes and bottles.
From the moment that young monkey j. wcancd
ne has TO steal, for DR.. Brchms observation applies
strictly and literally to every species of quadrti-
mana the mother monkey robS her own child, and
forces it to eat its food By stealth The proprietor
Of the geological Coffee Garden IN Savannah,
Georgia, has been very successful IN rearing young
monkeys, and the visitors OF his happy family de-
partrnent can witness the same scene thrice day-a
number of haf-grOwn Capuchin babies fleeing IRON
the wrath of their own parents. As soon rs the am
ncr bucket brought ill., the Youngsters lhs IN tho
corner and watch their opportunity Tor WINE Their
seniors are feeding there is no hope OF CriIinD or
drop of milk but sooner or later the old ones are
sure TO fall out, and during general scriInnage
for a tidbit the children sometimes get a
chance AT the bucket and take care to make the
best OF il. But woe unto them II their progemtors
catch them IN fdgrdnh SiTes, moIhers anu a9h i
combine to avenge the sacrcgc and the NOISE OtthG
punishment often sets the whole menagere agog.
have seen a she-macaque janming her hantiing up
against tho wall and extracting from Its cheek
pouches the gifts of a charitable visitor together
with all the crumbs and scraps the little one had
CLEANED from the floor, and then adding outrage to
injury by cutting the victims ears
AS q consequence Of such treatment baby-rnOn-
key in the teens of its months generally lean as
rake; but the apparent cruelty Of its parents may
be "a wise provision Of nature. After jean jacques
Rousseaus plan, il would be the best possible edu-
cation for creature that has TO make his living by
stealth Hunger sharpens even baby's wits, and a
young fourhander of ten months is really as pre-
ternaturaly wide-awake as a ten-years-old gamn OF
the Quarter DIES Sayoyards Having learned 70 mis-
trust his own parents, he is naturally very circuIn
spect in his dealings with his human guardians and
after year of the kindest treatment mere contrac
ton of your eyebrows is sufficient TO drive him grin
ming and chattering 10 his hiding place. monkey
rarely takes an offered present without watching
your eyes and then snatching 1t with sudden grab,
apparently unable 10 realize your generous caprice,
but concluding TO take luck by the foreoek before
you change your mind.