Dublin Penny Journal

Anecdotes of the MonkeySource: The Dublin Penny Journal, Vol. 4, No. 169 (Sep. 26, 1835), pp. 98-99Published by: Dublin Penny JournalStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30003878 .

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98 THE DUBLIN PENNY JOURNAL.

few pounds weight, and have both, a few years since, been examined by the gentleman to whom I have alluded. -Xe informed me, that though they contained the kind of grave or tomb that are generally inside such places, yet he could trace out no remains of bones, ashes, &c. as he has some- tinmeafound in others which he has opened; and that there beinkno such remains, has led many to believe the tradition or the country to be correct, which says, that the inhabitants atoining had collected on this hill, on a premeditated incursion into the County of Louth-that each man, to commemorate the event, on his going away cast a stone, and thus formed the larger cairn-that they then marched to Warrenpoint, and crossing the bay in small:wicker frames covered with ides, landed on the other side, and driving before them the terrified inhabi- tants, plundered them of every thing valuable ; but they having collected in a body, armed themselves, and pur- sued their plunderers to the shore, where they overtook them, loaded with spoil, and after a sharp engagement totally routed them. The few that remained after the sonflict returned home, bringing with them the body of their fallen leader, who was slain in the encounter, and buried him on a hill a short distance from Tammery, where they had before collected, and there formed a cairn around his ashes. On their again reaching Tammery, each man cast another stone, which thus accounts for the second heap; and the reason of its being so small was, that nearly two-thirds of their number hand been killed. it is said, they then remembered that St. Patrick, meeting them at that place on the eve of their intended excursion, and being unable to restrain them from their lawless pur-

"se, denounced against them the fatal cosequences that

befel them; and having sent to him, he came, and stand- n~gbetween the two cairns, preached to them repentance, a4ian 4ay of them were converted. He then took a atone from each heap, and

th.re them into the adjoining parishp an d sid that in process of tie there shouid be a

o fe 4f prayer reeted, and a burying.place formed, on

..e pIes where they fell, which is said to be where the

chpel and burying-place of Drumgath now stand., A short time ago the cairn where it is said they had buried their leader was opened; and in it was found a beautiful urn, VOW in, the possession of the Marquis of Downshire. It contained several calcined bones, and a small vessel, called a lschryinatory, having a quantity of earthy matter, sup. posed to be the ashes of the heart. This latter vessel, in a short time after its exposure to the air, went to Feces. The urn was tastefully ornamented, The cairn as caled Mlullaghmore Cairn.

In ,the

townland, of Mayo, the property of the late R. Martin, Esq. on a farm occupied by ames Campbell,

W Glenny opened a cairn in July, 18.6. On the removal o

&tkhe small stones of which such monunents, are xter- t4y formed, a large flag (supposed to weigh about two :s) was discovered, and underneath a grave, fOrmed of Y ae stones, viz, head, foot, al: sides, joined togoe the la e strongest possiile-manner. In it were found a large quantity of calcined bones; also, an urn, tastefully

though rudely ornamented, resting on a flag bedded in well-wrought clay. In the urn was a quantity of blackish stufl supposed to be the heart, Mr. G. has opened seve- ral siuch, in some of hich he found amulets--one wur- rounded, as he supposes, with Irishli characters, and a quern tastefuily ornamented.

On the ath anid sth of December,1827,in the above towvnland, Mr. Glenny discovered six ancient urns, curi- ously ornamented, each eontaining a quantity of calcied: bones. One of them contained a small vessel, suppopsed to be a Iachrymatory-an earthen vessel, wiserei ithe ancients received the tears of those friends thlat attended the funerals of the deceased, and buried :them :with the departed friend or relation. Mr. Glenay has discovered ten within twelve months in the aforesaid towliand and its vicinity. Five of them are in fine preservation: He also discovered a small tomb in form of a chest eighteen 'inches long and twelve wide, in which were found bones, with arrow-heads chipped out of flint. These mementos o the olden times cannot fail of striking the attention of

In falrt, Qas Ryy: WIW Wploi9g a haiJV in the

vicinity ot Newry, he discovered twenty pieces of silver. Among them was one of the reign of an Alexander of Scotland; the others were of the reigns of Henry the Se- cond and the Edwards of England, coined in Reginald's Tower, County of Waterford.

A short antique Irish pipe was dug up, in 1828, by some labourers in the land of Crown Mount, near Newry. The head of the pipe is square, having a human face etched in front, the letter W on the reverse; the figure of a bird similarly marked on one side, and the figure of Death on the other. These figures are all rudely executed; and from various circumstances, one is led to consider the pipe a curious specimen of the mechanical art in ancient days. It is in the possession of Mr. Glenny.

These cairns or piles of loose stones are generally sup- posed to mark the spot where the remains of some pow. erful chieftain were interred. The attachment and number of his followers may-be estimated by the size and quantity of the stones, as each man is supposed to contri- bute but one. Sir Walter Scott says that similarIcairns crown the aummits of the Scottish hills, and that some. times urns, containing bpnes, ashes, and beads, are found beneath them.

" On many a cairn's gray pyramid, Where urns of mighty chiefs-lie hid.'

.Tilltwan. J. R.

ANECDOTES OF THE MONKEY, rao-zr

sona.sAr ccrAtRACaTRIstIcs or I

ZONIoarsir.' A civilian,.accompanied

by his family, in the tour of his district, took possession of a beautiful spot in the neighbourhood of Monghyr. According to the Eastern custom, he was attended by a numerous train of depen- dents, whose establishments together with his own, occu- pied a considerable space of ground. Amongst the domestic pets bldongi to his fanily was a grey, black- faced monkey, with long arms and a long tail; which, on account of his mischievous propensities, was always kept chained to a post on which :the hut which defended him from the inclemency of the weather was erected. One morning the wife of the civilian, who frequently amused herself with watching the antics of this animal, observed another monkey of the same species playing with the pri- soner; -she instantly sent round to the people in the camp to inquire whose muonkey (for the are afrequently several attach-ed to oe: household) had got loose, and to desire that it might he instantly chained p. She was: told that no one had brought a monkey with them, and that the creature whic she had seen must be a stranger from the

oods. Ant interesting scene now took placebetween the new acquaintances. After much jabhering and chat- tering, the wid monkey arose to go; and, fid!m4 that his friend did not accompany him, returned; and, taking him, round the neck, urged him along : he went willinUgly the length

ofthe chiah , iut then, preven6ed by stern ne- cessity, he-paused: ri the :course of a .hort tiUne the strange monkey seemed to comprehend the cause of his friend's detention, and grasping the chain, endeavoured to break it; the attempt was unsuccessful; and, after several ineffectual efforts, both sat down in the attitude .which the-natives of India seem to have borrowed from these denizens of the woods, and making many gesticula- tions, appeared to wring their hands and weep in despair. Night closed upon the interview, but the next day it was renewed; and now the monkey community was increased to three. Desirous to know where these c:reatures came from, the lady made inquiries of the natives of the place; but they unanimouslyagreed in- declaring, that there was :not to; their knowledge a monkey tope beloigiig to the same species within- a iundred miles.i Th most eaer Sesire: wasimanifestedy the :new comes t release t prisoneifrom hif. bndage: at first, as

upon. the formr

Soccasi on, the ts of0 perstuaion were tried force wa nt

resorted to, and t; the~ end; dolefuil ecamationsjabbr- inig ofthe most patheticdescription, and tears On th

flowing day, four r five monkeys made their appear- an ce; and many were the

discusionsl hich

ppear:Q t

tia plaebetweden e ey tried todag theci up atCe, Iut the 4 roel chain t41linterpois, V e1 9

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THE DUBLIN PENNY JOURNAL. 9 completely at their wits' end, uttering piercing lamenta- tions, or so roughly endeavouring to effect a release, as to endanger the life of their friend. Pleased with the af- fectionate solicitude displayed by these monkeys, andt sympathising in their disappointment, the lady, after having amused herself for a considerable period by watch- ing their manoeuvres, ordered one of the servants to let the monkey loose. The moment the party perceived that his freedom was effected, their joy was unbounded; em- bracing him many times, they gamboled and capered about with delight; and, finally, "seizing

the emancipated prisoner by the arm, ran off with him to the woods, and were never seen again, not one of the same species ap- pearing during the time the party remained in camp; thus corroborating the evidence of the natives, who per- sisted in declaring, that grey, black-faced monkeys, with long arins, were not inhabitants of the district. A cir. cumstance, somewhat sinilar, and equally authentic, which took place on the Madras side of India, related to the writer by an officer of rank to whom; it occurred, may amuse those who take an interest in inquiring into the habits and manners of a race which, together with the conformation, seem to partake of thhecaprices and incon- sistencies of man. Near to the bungalow in which the officer resided, and which had been newly erected in a jungly :istrict, a troop of monkeys were in the habit of' crossing the road daily, on their way to the neighbouring woods. On one of these occasions, a sepoy, perceiving the amusement which they afforded to his officer, caught a young one, and brought it to the house, where it re- mained fastened to one of the pillars of the verandah. Theparents of this monkey were soon perceived to take up a position on a ledge of rocks opposite, but at some ditance, where they could obtain a view of their impri. soned offspring, and there they sat all day, sometimes ap- parently absorbed in silent despair, at others breaking out into paroxysms of grief. This lasted for a long time; days passed away without reconciling the parents to their loss; the same scene was enacted,, the same sorrow evinced; and, being of a compassionate disposition, the young offi- ceer took pity upon the misery of the bereaved pair, and gave his captive liberty.

Anticipating' th6e contemplation

of the greatest delight at the meeting, he looked out to the rock, whither the young monkey instantly repaired, but, instead of the happy re-union which his faney had painted, a catastrophe of the most tragic nature ensued. Seizing the truant in their arms, the old monkeys tore it to pieces in an instant; thus destroying at once the plea. surable&sensations of the spectator, and perplexing himswith vain conjectures whether, irritated IbSy their previous dis- tress, they had avenged tihemselves upon it cause; or whether, in the delirium of their joy, they had oo roughly caressed the object of their lamentations. Having conm- mitted this strangely cruer act, the monkeys took their departure.

GENIUS AND LEARNING,: There are no two attributes or properties of the mind

more essentially distinct than genius and learning; and yet no two from whose union such great and manifold ad- vantages result. Wherever they exist siugly, it is uite manifest how much each requires the assistance of the other. In fact, from their very nature it appears, that it is only when united that they can be productive of any lasting benefit, The very qualities which each possesses show thlemto be mutually depenident on each other. Ge- nius, in the general acceptation of the word, is solely the gift of nature. It is that subtile contexture-that mysti- cal organization-that harmonious adjustment and con- gruity of all the mental powers, by which is produced a loftiaess of sentiment, and a capacity and amplitude of conception, that surpasses the range and limits of ordinary minds, Learning, on the cntrary, is. the product of labour, acquired by application and industry, and the result, not of any union or combination of intellectual agencies, or any peculiar refinement of the mind, but of the proper use, exercise, and cultivation of those faculties of perception of which we are all to a certain degree pos- esd. ed Thus, we see that the former wants the gri.

vitv and steadiness of the latter to direct it in its pursuits while the latter needs the fervour and energy of the former to mairtain and support it in its exertions. Instances have occurred where each existing singly has arrived at distinction-as genius in some of our poets, (though many of them have had both united, and where such union has existed their fame has been the greater, as in the case or Milton;) learning in some of our historians or eminent lawyers, where the same remark too holds good; and both have existed together in some of our distinguished statesmen. On the whole, perhaps, it is not unfair to conclude, that when they exist singly, the attainment of distinction is but probable and likely; but when they are united, it is certain and undoubted. In fact, genius with'. out learning may be conpared to a ship elegantly can. structed, but unprovided with a helm, or to some amazing mechanical force without a directing power to control its motions. It may, by its own innate might, strike out a bold and daring course in the regions of mind, and some. times arrive perhaps at its proposed end ; but then, too frequently it is in danger of exhausting itself in boundless speculation, or being lost amid the very world of imagi ings which its own power had created. Learning, again, without genius, or at least a moderate portion of it, is the ship furnished with the hlelm, but in want of the sails by 'which it can catch the breeze and bound over the deep. It may possess a large and comprehensive knowledge, and a clear and perspicuous judgment resulting from this know- ledge, but it will want that alacrity and agility of mind by which it is buoyed up and supported amid the turmoil of life. And thus, in order to realize great results, both must be joined. It is the junction of both that has pro. duced our greatest statesmen anti philosophers. A Burke and a Newton are the offspring of their union. Together, they are the sources of every thing grand and noble in the achievements of mind. They create around them a lurami nous and phosphorescent atmosphere, from which have radiated those lucent streams of knowledge that have enlightened the world. Yet notwithstanding this, it is by no means unusual to see men gifted with a very high order of mind, not only neglecting it, but even making what ought to be an incentive, an excuse for want of industry upon their part, when they ought to recollect, that the noblest productions of nature are capable of being i 1a proved, and that even the finest diamond is not seen in its full lustre and brilliancy, till the hand of art has rubbed away its excrescences, and thus imparted a smoothbnae and polish to its external surface. W. R.,

REAL AND AFFECTED SENSIBILITY. A very cursory observation of life must have impressed

the inquirer with the striking difference between real and affected sensibility-it betrays itself in even the minutest point Pi conduct, and devotes the hypocrite to the con. tempt he so well merits.

It must, however, be allowed, for the honour of human nature, that much of this indifference to the comfort of others is superinduced. Pity is an emotion which it is difficult to quench, and we have some scruples to over- come before we systematically substitute the base coin of pretended sympathy, for the sterling ore of genuine kind, ness; but the effort once made, the return to true feel- ing is next to impossible. It is so much more agreeable to make professions than exertions, so much less trouble- some to force the tear than to open the heart, that love of ease to which human nature is so prone, comes in aid of our selfishness, and we become irretrievably impenetra- ble, while we may fancy ourselves, or at least wish to per- suade others, that we abound in the milk of human kindness.

It cannot be doubted that the reading of novels must, amongst females particularly, tend greatly to this harden- ing of the heart. The perusali of romances serves not merely to pervert but to enfeeble the mind, and we accord ingly find that those whbo indulge in such studies, either fly from, or are unequal to bear the pressure of, real ca- lamity. If it falls up6on themselves, their pusitaniamity is contemptible-if it overtakes others, their defeetion is *notorious. They cannot endure, thdirf4ding are so aeutvi

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