EDUCATED MONKEYS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 367, 7 June 1911, Page 6

EDUCATED MONKEYS.

SOME EARN MORE THAN CABINET MINISTERS. In these days of overcrowded occupations it. takes a, genius to devise an entirely new means of earning a living. Mrs. Hamlyn, the wife of th<J well-known wild beast importer, St. George Street, London E, has hit upon a novel plan which promises to make her fortune. The lucrative profession she has decided upon is that of being chief instructor to a well-established college fo? monkeys. Here the mischievous creaturcH from African jungles are trained to behave like civilized beings and act like real ladies and gentlemen.

No fewer than seventeen chimpanzees have been reclaimed from a life of uselcssness. Peter, one of her first students, who recently appeared at the Palace Theatre, is now earning £3OO a week in New York. Seven others are in receipt of salaries twice as large as that of the Prime Minister.

"I do visum to be an animal trainer," said Mrs. Hamlyn ; "what [ do is to 'civilize' them. My aim is not to produce a monkey which will pel-form tricks, but to make the monkey behave like a well-brought-up child." This is her Qam.paign.

At h«U past eight they are fr.Qm ttnir.' cots and,, seated in chairs, have brettkfpst with al; tjfefi members of the household. tireaks fast consists of eggs and bpcotij bread and butter, and cups of \sa, followed by a couple of bananas. Breakfast over, they are carefully washed, brushed and combed, after which they are dressed. The males are dressed in male attire, while the ladies have a wardrobe consisting of vest, corsets, knickers, kilt, re.d an,d- bro>wi|\ socks and shoes. tifr course, (.hey dit nut care to be dressed, but once thsy get used to the clothes, you have only to provide a number of different coloured garments and a mirror and Well, they are just like human beings !

When the toilet is finished, the students play till dinner. Here they appear at the table again, and some fish, a cut from the- juiut and vegetables, followed by milk pudding.

During the afternoon they have '''forty winks" or play, just as they are disposed. Tea is served about five, consisting of bread and butter with meat paste, tea, and two more bananas. At haif-past six they are undressed, washed and brushed, and put to bed. They sleep in nightgowns, and, after affectionately kissing Mrs. Hamlyn good night. require*, no more attention till morning. At tli£ end pf three to months gf treatment the become ijuite civilised and act just like children.

The profits ? Of course ! Most of the animals are picked up at the dtieka for a mere song, but after a course at Mrs. Hamlyn's school they are almost worth their weight in gold. At any rate, the lowest she has taken has been £IOO, while in many cases they have fetched £l5O. "Tit Bits."