24. The Camel and Monkey.
What a wonderful place is this said London! Here are not only bears from the cold regions of Russia, Poland, and America, but also a camel from the hot sands of Arabia or the East Indies, walking in the streets! Behold the playful monkey on its head, and numbers of fearless boys upon its back. In Turkey, Arabia, and Persia, the camel is a most useful creature, carrying very great weights of spices and merchandise, for a considerable number of miles, and for several days together, without any kind of sustenance. They are said to have a particular property, in scenting out places in the sand where water is to be found.
The milk of this animal is very nutritive, and, mixed with water, forms the principle beverage of the Arabians. The flesh supplies them with food: that of the young is reckoned a delicacy.
The camel feeds entirely on vegetables. Not only pencils and brushes for painters, but some very neat and fine garments have been made with its hair.
In Arabian deserts bare,
I have toil’d with patient care,
While upon my crooked back
Hung the merchant’s precious pack,
Full of spices and of gold,
In the markets to be sold:
But it was my native clime,
And I liked it all the time.Now a poor and weary hack,
With a monkey on my back,
Taught by many a knock and bruise,
I the gaping crowd amuse,
Through your city as I go,
Tired and dismal, for a show:
Oh! that I could see again
My native, sandy, barren plain!