Jules Verne Forum

<jvf@Gilead.org.il>

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 19961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009

Re: Question re L'Ile mysterieuse

From: Christian Sánchez <chvsanchez~at~arnet.com.ar>
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2006 20:48:08 -0300
To: "Jules Verne Forum" <jvf~at~Gilead.org.il>

In chapter IX of "Willis the Pilot" by Johanna Spyri you will find a similar description but in this case regarding Buffon and a "chimpanzee":

"The chimpanze or chimpanzee," says Buffon, the French naturalist, "is much more sagacious than the ourang outang, with which it has been inaccurately confounded; it likewise bears a more marked resemblance to the human being; the height is the same, and it has the same aspect, members, and strength; it always walks on two feet, with the head erect, has no tail, has calves to its legs, hair on its head, a beard on its chin, a face that Grimaldi would have envied, hands and nails like those of men, whose manners and habits it is susceptible of acquiring."

Buffon knew an individual of the species that sat demurely at table, taking his place with the other guests; like them he would spread out his napkin, and stick one corner of it into his button-hole just as they did, and he was exceedingly dexterous in the use of his knife, fork, and spoon. Spectators were not a little surprised to see him go to a bed made for him, tie up his head in a pocket-handkerchief, place it sideways on a pillow, tuck himself carefully in the bed-clothes, pretend to be sick, stretch out his pulse to be felt, and affect to undergo the process of being bled.

The naturalist adds that he is very easily taught, and may be made a useful domestic servant, at least as regards the humbler operations of the kitchen; he promptly obeys signs and the voice, whilst other species of apes only obey the stick; he will rinse glasses, serve at table, turn the spit, grind coffee, or carry water. Add to his virtues as a domestic, that he is not much addicted to chattering about the family affairs, has no followers, and is very accommodating in the matter of wages.

It was neither more nor less than a chimpanzee that Fritz had caught in the dark at Falcon's Nest.

Best regards,

Christian Sánchez
chvsanchez~at~arnet.com.ar
Rosario, Argentina



----- Mensaje original -----
De: "thomas mccormick" <tom_amity~at~hotmail.com>
Para: <jvf~at~Gilead.org.il>
Enviado: lunes, 30 de enero de 2006 19:51
Asunto: Question re L'Ile mysterieuse


In Chapter VI of Part II of L'Isle mysterieuse, the omniscient narrator
asserts that Buffon kept an organgutan as a manservant. I don't believe it,
but I am very curious about from what source Verne may have acquired this
story, which apparently was the inspiration for the character Jupiter. Does
anyone have an idea?

Tom McCormick

_________________________________________________________________
Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
Received on Sun 05 Feb 2006 - 05:53:39 IST

JV.Gilead.org.il
Copyright © Zvi Har’El
$Date: 2009/02/01 22:36:11 $$