Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Zoology, Animal Behaviour, Sound, Music, Amusement, Zoological Gardens, Politics, Government

People mentioned:

Charles Waterton , Alexander von Humboldt

    Opens by describing the 'Red Howling Monkeys' recently exhibited at the Zoological Society Gardens, a species which, according to a report before the author, has 'extraordinary vocal powers' which depend on a 'special mechanism in the throat'. Laments the fact that the monkeys languish owing to the English climate and suggests that the animals should be wheeled about in perambulators. Goes on to suggest how 'valuable' the monkeys would be to organ grinders, and anticipates that their noise would be so 'unendurable' that Parliament would eventually have to 'take the matter up'. Concludes by urging that the monkeys should be used in 'street music' in order to ensure that the nuisance will eventually be banned.