From the New Hampshire Gazette, May 3, 1771
18th Century Funnies

New England, to be certain, was both Pilgrim and Puritan at root, and this amusing story of a monkey in priestly robes would have tickled the most Puritan of ribs.  It was reprinted in New Hampshire, no doubt, because of a perception, widely shared, that the old country didn’t treat the faith with the respect it was due:

The following story is told of a certain Peer not unknown in Huntingdonshire:  Some time since … he sent an invitation to a clergyman who dwelt in the neighbourhood.  The clergyman accepted it, and attended.   When dinner was brought in, Aaron being the only person whose character was sacred, rose and attempted to say grace.  The nobleman immediately stopped him, telling him he had a chaplain of his own, who always performed that ceremony, and ordered him in directly.  Immediately a footman introduced a large monkey, of the baboon species, dressed in cannonicals, who staggering on his hinder legs to the upper end of the table, clapped his fore paws upon the cloth, and with much grimace muttered over some unintelligible jargon, and then retired.  Aaron was somewhat disconcerted at this manifest infringement on his rights; but instantly recollected himself and making also a bow to his Lordship addressed him in these words:  “I beg pardon, my Lord, for having presumed to interfere in your chaplain’s place and duty;  but you must impute it to my ignorance, for I really did not know that your Lordship had a son in orders.”

Having said this, he gave the nobleman a smile of ineffable contempt, and instantly left the room, with a dignity becoming his character and station.