The History and Characteristics of Marmoset Monkeys

'Looking out of the window Jane saw a lady arrive on the platform with a servant carrying a marmoset. Agnes was absorbed by the antics of this curious little monkey. It was smaller than a squirrel and never still for a moment. One instant it was peeping under the servant's arm, next it was on his shoulder, then it twisted round his body. During all these movements, the servant kept hold of a chain attached to a black leather belt and fastened round the animal's body.' This is a quote from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024). 

Marmosets are small primates native to South America. They were occasionally kept as pets in the UK during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Marmosets were admired for their small size, agility, and charming appearance, making them appealing pets. Keeping marmosets as pets is now banned.

Excerpt from CHAPTER I THE MAMOZEET (ie marmoset) MONKEY,

The Young Naturalist, Or, The Travels of Agnes Merton and Her Mamma Jane Loudon, Mrs. Loudon (Jane)

Agnes Merton's (ie Agnes Loudon's) mamma having to make a long journey through several of the counties of England, determined to take with her her little girl, who was then about seven years old, and who was very fond of travelling. The first place they were to go to was Birmingham, and as Mrs. Merton had decided on travelling by the railroad, she and her little daughter went on the appointed day to the terminus in Euston-square.

Agnes, who had never travelled by a railroad before, was very much struck with, and almost frightened at, the number of carriages; and still more so at the crowd of people who bustled about all eager to secure their places, and all seeming in the greatest hurry and confusion; while the porters passed to and fro, each with a kind of wheelbarrow, loaded with almost innumerable trunks and carpetbags. Agnes clung close to her mamma, and was very glad when one of the men showed them a carriage in which there was room for them. They had scarcely taken their places when a lady came on the platform, followed by a servant carrying a Mamozeet monkey, and Agnes soon became quite absorbed in watching the antics of this curious little animal. The monkey was very small, not larger than a squirrel, and it was quite as active as one of those nimble little creatures. It was never still a moment; one instant it was peeping under the servant's arm, then it was on his shoulder, and then twisting round his body; the servant, during all these movements, keeping fast hold of a chain which was attached to a black-leather belt, fastened round the animal's body. Agnes was delighted with watching this monkey, which was, indeed, a very curious little creature. It was covered with long light brown hair, edged with grey, which made it look as though it were striped: its tail was very long, and distinctly marked with black and white rings; and its face was one of the sharpest and most cunning-looking that can possibly be conceived. Its little twinkling black eyes were set off by a tuft of long white hair behind each; and its ears, which were very large, went flapping up and down among this hair, as if it were listening to everything that was said. The lady appeared a long time in doubt where to go, but at last, to Agnes's great delight, the porter opened the door of the carriage in which they sat, and the lady having entered it, the servant gave her the monkey and retired.

"Did you ever see a monkey like this before?" asked the lady of Agnes, as soon as she had seated herself, observing how intently the little girl was watching the antics of her pet.

Never," said Agnes. "He looks just like a little old man."

That," said the lady, "is what the sailors called him on board the ship in which we brought him from his native country, Brazil. His curious tricks made him the favourite of everybody on board."

"Oh! how I should like to hear all about them," cried Agnes.

The Appeal of Marmosets in Historical Context

Marmosets, small primates native to South America, gained popularity as exotic pets in 19th-century Britain due to their small size and playful behaviour. Their appeal was further enhanced by their portrayal in literature and personal accounts, such as in The Young Naturalist's Journey by Jane Loudon, which captured the fascination of British society with these animals. Marmosets were often admired for their agility and distinctive appearance, featuring long light-brown fur with grey edges, and their lively antics made them particularly endearing. Despite their popularity, keeping marmosets as pets is now prohibited, reflecting a shift in attitudes towards animal welfare and conservation. The historical fascination with marmosets highlights their role in the cultural and social milieu of the period, offering a glimpse into the past practices and perceptions surrounding exotic pets.