Public and private life of animals / [J. Thomson].

  • Thomson, J.
Date:
1877
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Public and private life of animals / [J. Thomson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    master’s vineyard beneath a vine, where I had taken shelter from the heat of the sun, after quenching my thirst with a grape. I was ignomi- niously arrested and brought before the proprietor, a “justice of the peace,” whose fierce aspect did not calm my fears. But this power- ful, superb animal proved most kind; he forgave me, admitted me to his table, where, in addition to more substantial fare, I was fed on the precepts of virtue and morality. To him I owe the sensibility of my heart, the culture of my mind, and even the pleasure of being able to relate my experience in intelligible language. Numerous griefs and wrongs chequered my existence up to the fatal hour when, like Borneo, I gave my heart to a creature from whom our family feuds seemed to have parted me for ever. Less fortunate than Borneo, I was not loved in return.’ “‘Who,’ I said, ‘is the fair charmer so insensible to your love] Who is the lover preferred before you ? ’ “ ‘ The charming one,’ he replied with humility, ‘ is a hen, and my rival a cock.’ “I was confounded. ‘Sir,’ at last I said to him, ‘do not for an instant attribute my remarks to our newly-formed friendship. I for one have always looked with scorn and contempt on indi- viduals of this vain type. What more stupidly pretentious, what more ridiculous than a cock, whose stiff strut of pride causes him to stumble in his sublimest moods] The unbridled pomp and vanity •of the cock renders him the meanest and most ridiculous of birds.’ “ ‘ There are many hens, sir, who are not of your opinion,’ said my young friend, sighing. ‘ Alas ! the love of Cocotte is a proof of the value of a picturesque physique coupled with bold assurance. I hoped that my boundless devotion would one day be rewarded by her love. I had spiritualised an attachment which generally displays itself in a rather material fashion when the fox woos the hen. But happy love knows no pity! Cocotte saw me suffer without remorse. My rival •enjoyed my troubles, for in the game of insolence and fatuity he has no rival. My friends scorned and abandoned me, and, to crown all, my noble protector ended his daj's in an honourable retreat. Alone now, I would feel wretched but for the memory of this fatal passion, which has still its inexplicable charm. I am bound to Cocotte, and to the end of my days must defend her against my fellows, and wear the •chains she has coiled around me. I would die happy if only I could
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