THE LAW OF THE (SOCIAL) JUNGLE.

Mr. Rudyard Kipling has given us in his own inimitable way a sample of Jungle Law, which, as he says, is of "immense complexity." Now Society is also a Jungle, the Human Jungle. In it the Bête-Humaine congregates, for a variety of purposes. Its laws also are complex, and wonderfully like those of the Wolves as Baloo gave them in sing-song. For example:—

(For "Wolf" read "Worldling," for "Jungle" the "Social World.")

Now this is the Law of the Jungle—so ancient that no one asks "Why?"

And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must fly,

As the cobweb that meshes the corners, the Law nets Society's track—

For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.

"Tub" daily from head-crown to toe-tip; drink freely but seldom too deep:

And remember the night is for larks, and forget not the day is for sleep.

ii.

The Jackal may sponge on the Lion; but, Cub, when thy whiskers are grown,

Remember the Wolf is a hunter—go forth and track prey of thine own.

iii.

Keep peace with the Lords of the Jungle, the Hebrew, the Bobby, the Beak;

And fool not with Elephant Law, which is given to squelching the weak.

iv.

When Pack crosses Pack in the jungle, and neither will budge from the trail,

Lie down till the Lawyers have spoken, for tongue against tooth may prevail!

When ye fight with a Wolf of the Pack, do not fight him alone or afar,

Let others look on at the scrimmage, the Pack is amused by such war.

vi.

The House of the Wolf is his refuge, and where he has made him his home,

If he is a Wolf of fair cunning, not e'en County Councils may come.

vii.

The House of the Wolf is his refuge, but let him shun odorous drain,

Or the Council will send him a "Notice," and he'll have to "repair" it again.

viii.

If ye hunt after midnight be careful, and block not the public highway.

Lest ye draw the police from their gossips, and have Forty Shillings to pay.

ix.

Ye may kill female souls for your pleasure, may snare them the best way ye can,

But mind you don't poach on preserves that belong to a wealthier man!

If ye plunder his Kill from a weaker, don't put on too much "blooming side."

Some deeds it is lawful to do, which, as being "bad form," you should hide.

xi.

The "form" of the Pack is the law of the Pack. It will pardon white lies,

And a wriggle or two, but that Wolf's a gone coon who the Pack "form" defies.

xii.

The Kill of the Wolf is the meat of the Wolf. He may do what he will

With his prey when he's hunted it down; but he shouldn't let pals see him kill.

xiii.

Cub-Right is the right of the Minor. For deeds of crass folly or shame

He may put in the plea, "I'm an Infant!" and Law will acknowledge the same.

xiv.

Sale-Right is the right of the Mother. For all her she-cubs she may claim

The right of free-market (or marriage), and none may deny her the same.

xv.

Law-Right is the right of the Male. He has made Jungle-law all his own,

He is free of all voice of the Female; and judged by the he-wolves alone.

xvi.

Because of his age and his cunning, his grip and his power of jaw,

In all that the Law leaveth open the word of King Mammon is Law.

Now these are the Laws of the Jungle, to sway human Wolves where they swarm;

But the head and the front of the Law, the beginning and end is—Conform!

Wonderful, is it not, how little the Law of the Wolf requires modifying to make it the Law of the Worldling! The reason, perhaps, is that the average Worldling is so very much like a Wolf, especially in gregariousness and greed for prey!