Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Domestic Economy, Animal Behaviour, Acclimatization

    Reflects on 'the greatest of all domestic troubles'—domestic servants—and announces that the 'Jackanapes' Development Society' has been formed to provide 'Efficient substitutes for men and maid-servants'. Observes that dogs would make ideal servants were they to possess hands, but then explains the 'several varieties of the monkey tribe, particularly the ourang-outang, the ape, and the chimpanzee' that might be trained to 'render them fully equal to the performance of any menial function'. Notes that the society aims to 'acclimate and educate apes' for domestic service. Discusses some of the advantages of simian servants, notably their smart appearance in livery, their inability to answer back, their ability to 'remain in the parlour', their fondness for the young, and the fact that when they are 'past work' they can be shot rather than given financial support.