The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-08-21
ESAU. A CHIMPANZEE.
Careful Training Has Almost Made Man
of Him.
st Louis RepuLlic.

simultaneously With the appearance
of Professor Gamers book of the ape
tribes of Africa, in which he sets forth
his belief that the simian jungle folk
actually have language By which
they converse with one another, Cap
tain De Lancicr, the African traveller
and explorer, brings co-roborativc cv
idcnce in the person of a young chin
panzce, Esau by name, most remark
able example of the results of train
ing and education.
Fight months ago Mr.. ;sau was a
wild dcnizcn OF the Congo junglcs
Today he dresses like human being,
and assumes more than the mere ap-
pcaranoo of ii man. If ever Inc Oar
winian theory required confirmation it
might be found in the person of Nr.
Esau. lie is not a very large spcci-
men Of his species, but one more IN
tclligcnt, aftcctionatc and docilc was
never born
Captain De Lancicr has spent many
years in the wilder portions Of Cen
trail Africa. He has made an especial
study Of the jungle beasts, and has
written much that has thrown light
upon more or less obscure tropical
subjects, particularly the daily life
and habits Of the ape tribes. The
Captain is Of the belief that the chin
pace comes the closest to the human
species and is capable Of the highest
development. Although but q few
months education has encouraged
this opinion, Mr.. Esau does every.
thing but talk in the language of the
higher species. In fact, it is quite
impossible when watching this simian
wonder to rid one's self of the illusion
that one is in the presence of man
and not beast at all, so we'll manner
ed and intelligent the animal has
grown.
Captain De Lancier and Mr.. Esau
are inseperable, and the development
Of the jungle beast into the semblance
of the human is task that reflects
great credit upon the traveller and
trainer. Mr.. Esau sits at the table
with the captain, eating with knife
and fork, just as any well-trained
child might do, partaking of civilized
dishes, being fond Of the swecter va
rietics. He is particularly partial to
ten, pouring into it liberal dash Of
cream, and swcctcning it with two
Jumps of sugar, exactly as the Captain
does himself. In fact, imitation even
to the smallest habits is Mr.. Esau S
strong point, and the Captain finds
his own little idiosyncrasics reflected
in the champanzce with remarkable
fidelity
When Esau was first introduced to
civilization his sole garb consisted of
collar and chain. Little by little he
became used to clothes, which Carlyle
says marks the passage Of nun from
the brute state. At first his attire re-
ceived very hard usage, but slowly he
began to realize the necessity Of keep
ing himself we'll l-drcsscd and presenta-
Bile, and now he has large and varied
wardrobe. Twice day he goes hith
er and indicates to his trainer his par
ticular choice Of trousers, coat and
necktie, being especially fond of the
gayer colors. The mirror has brought
s-nsc Of vanity out of the darkness
of the monkey mind, and Esau will
stand for hours before his reflected
image, prinking this way and that,
like young girl preparing for her first
grand ball. In these trihing matters
the Captain is very liberal, giving him
ell the liberty Of choice and freedom
Of action that an indulgent uncle might
accord his favurite nephew.
And the chimpanzce appreciates it.
he is very affcctionate beast. He
has learned the mystery Of the kiss
and hug, making a peculiar noise cx-
pres5ive Of deep inner satisfaction
when pleased. On the other hand,
his displeasurc is no less in evidence
at times. and on these occasions infin-
ite patience and frmncss are required
to manage him.
One of the most difficult things to
teach Mr.. Esau was the advantages Of
the bath. Monkeys, as rule, have
an aversion to water As soon as
Esau saw that his trainer liked his
daily tub, not to be outdone even in
that particular, Esau took to the cold
water by sheer force of initiative will,
and now he revels in it. In fact, he
is so fond Of the daily tub that he is
often forgetful of the time of day and,