MR. STANLEY.  “Yes, my boy; it is found not very far from the equator.”

GEORGE.  “Is it not the largest ape in Guinea?”

MR. STANLEY.  “Right again.  I will tell you all I know about the gentleman.  Its height is four feet, and there is no appearance of a tail.  Monsieur de Grandpie gives an account of one which he had the opportunity of observing during a voyage.  This animal had learned to heat the oven, and was particularly careful that no coals should escape to set fire to the vessel.  It perfectly understood when the oven was sufficiently heated, and never failed to apprise the baker of the circumstance; while he in his turn so entirely confided in it, that he hastened with his bread as soon as the animal went to fetch him, and was never once led into an error.  When they turned the capstan, it endeavored to assist with all its power, like a sailor.  When the sails were loosened, it mounted the yards of its own accord.  It belaced the shrouds as well as any sailor; and observing how the end of the rope was fastened to prevent its hanging, it did the same to the rope of which it had possession.  It was as clever as many of the men, and much more nimble, and was treated by the sailors as one of their own crew.  This animal died on the passage, owing to the brutal treatment of the second mate.  It bore his cruel usage with the greatest resignation, raising its hands in a suppliant manner to implore a remission of the stripes he inflicted.  From that moment it refused to eat, and died of hunger and suffering on the fifth day, almost as much regretted as one of the crew would have been.  The chimpanzee generally walks upright, supported by the branch of a tree, after the manner of a walking-stick.  The negroes dread it, and with much reason; for it is powerful, and uses its power with great harshness whenever they meet.  I believe you may see a chimpanzee in the Zoological Gardens in the Regent’s Park.  We will go some day on speculation, George.  Now, Charles, ‘forward!’”

CHARLES.  “The Bight of Benin washes the coast of Dahomey and other countries, known also by the name of the Slave Coast.  Dahomey, including the subjugated districts, extends at least 150 miles into the interior.  The principal town is Abomey, lying about three degrees east longitude.”

MRS. WILTON.  “Whidah on this coast must be noticed, as it is so connected with Dahomey.  It was once an independent kingdom; but in the year 1727 was conquered by Guadja Irudo, King of Dahomey.  Its capital contains about 20,000 inhabitants.  In Whidah the religion is pagan; but for some unaccountable reason they worship their divinity under the form of a particular species of snake, called daboa, which is not sufficiently large to be terrible to man, and is otherwise tamable and inoffensive.  These daboas are taken care of in the most pious manner, and well fed on rats, mice, or birds in their fetish houses or temples, where the people assemble to pay their adoration, and where those also who are sick or lame apply for assistance.”