The Sun.
London, England, 1836-11-02 00:00:00

An event interesting to physiologists occurri
The wife of the dwarf, Don Santiago de los
self a dwarf ), was delivered of a well-formed
at their residence, No. 107, High Holborn, near
street. The accoucheurs. were Mr. Boaden, of
street, Chelsea, who once before attended Donna Santiao,
on a similar occasion, and Mr. Davis, of Saville-row. Both\
gentlemen had for some time been very assiduous in their
attetions to the little lady ; but the infant, though it came
into the world alive, did not survive its birth above an hour.
Its length was thirteen inches and a half ; its weight was one
round four ounces and a half (avoirdupois) ; it was in every
respect well formed ; and the likeness of its face to that of
the father wag very striking. It was carried in a coffin to St.
George's Church, Bloomsbury ; but, being there refused
sepulture, it was taken home, preserved in spirits, and is
now exhibited in Holborn, previously to being deposited in
one of our public museums. Mr. Davis was very anxious
to have it submitted to dissection, and to lecture upon it
at the theatre of the London University ; this, however,
was declined by the Lilliputian parents, who appeared to feel
poignantly this second disappointment of their hopes of
adding to the world's population. It will be recollected
that the Ettber is the same Spanish dwarf who made com-
plaint before the Lord Mayor, some time ago, of having
been robbed by one of his countrymen of his savings, which
bad been deposited in the public funds, and which, had it
not been for the strenuous exertions of his Lordship and
other humane persons who interested themselves for their
miniature fellow-creature, had certainly been lost to him
for MT.
Don Santiago, who is only twenty-five inches high, is at
present in his fiftieth year. He is a native of the Spanish
settlement of Manilla ; in one of the forests of which, it
seems, lie was exposed to death in his infancy, on account
of his diminutive size. He was, however, miraculously
saved by the Viceroy, who, happening to be hunting in that
quarter, humanely ordered him to be taken care of and
nursed with the same tendaness as his own children, with
whom the little creature was brought up and educated,
until he had attained the age of Wanho
wod. h
wa His
in birth is
dated from the period of his exposure, hic 1786.
His parents, who were afterwards discove:edi, werefarmers ;
and were, with their own children (son ant, daughters), of
robust frame, and rather above the usual veight. Our
hero's diminutive stature has been attributed to ;earful and
terrific dreams, by which his mother was haunted during
gestation. When he was twenty years of age, his humane
protector died, and attachment to the land of his birth
(to which he often says lie will return), prevented him from
accompanying his foster-brothers and sisters to Old Spain .
This wilfulness cost him dearly : neglected by his own
parents and family, he suffered hardship and privations
of the most afflicting nature. At length he fonnd his way to
Madras, and was, about six years ago, brought to England
by the captain of a trading vessel. During the voyage be
was washed overboard by a heavy sea, but hen-coop and
spars being thrown out, and other assistance afforded, his
life was saved. On his arrival in northern latitudes be suf-
fered severely from cold, and even now, though inured to
the climate, he cannot swallow cold water. Still, ho never
goes near a fire, although he feels sensibly if his room be
not not kept warm. Ho is stoutly built, and generally pos-
sesses cheerful spirits and good health. His complexion is
of a slight copper colour, and the expression of his counte-
nance is pleasing and intelligent. His habits are mode-
rate, seldom drinking anything but warm water; but, on
his birth-days, wedding anniversaries, and other festivals,
he indulges in a few glasses of wine ; indeed, on such oc-
casions, he passes round the bottle, and does the other
honours of the table with much dignity, hospitality, and
eclat. He is fond of music and dancing, and is a great
admirer of the ladies : but his ruling passion appears to
be a fondness for gay and glittering. attire, jewellery, and
silver plate—to all which luxuries he has been accustomed
in the house, and at the table of the Viceroy of Manilla.
His mind appears to be deeply impresse:l with the tenets of
the Catholic Church, in which his foster-father took care to
have him duly instructed. He reads his prayer-book and
psalter morning and evening, very devoutly crossing himself,
and performing his genuflections with all the other cere-
monies inculcated by the teachers of that faith. Once or
twice a month he goes to the Spanish Ambassador's chapel,
where, secluded from observation, he worships with all the
sincerity and devotion of a good Catholic. Besides his na-
tive tongue, he speaks an Indian patois, converses freely is
Portuguese, and in English indifferently well.
He became acquainted with his little wife at Birmingham,
of which town she is a native. Her name was Ann Hopkins,
and her height thirty-eight inches, being thirteen inches
taller than himself. She is thirty-one years of age, and
is really a pretty little creature, 'possessing much sym-
metry and grace. Her father stands six feet one inch
and a-half, without his shols ; her mother is of middle
size ; and her brothers and sisters (of whom there are
nine in all) are tall and robust. The little don and
donna live together very affectionately, their attachment
having been mutual, and at first sight : the oily difference of
opinion is, that she being a Protestant, they do not worship-
together ; and that ever since the attempted robbery of her
husband by his countryman, she hates all Spaniard's, and
pouts and frets and scolds whenever she sees hip ,converse
with one. They were married on the 6th of July; 1834,in
the Catholic Chapel at Birmingham, and two days after at
St. Martin's Church in the same town, by the Rev. Mr.
Foye, the High Bailiff giving the bride away. At this
marriage the crowds were so great, that the assistance of
the police was necessary to secure the ingress and egress of
the little couple into and out of the church ; and the whole
affair made no little noise throughout the kingdom. Much
uneasiness was caused to the bridegroom by the refusal of
one clergyman to ratify this marriage in the Protestant
Church, on the supposition that it was contrary to the canon
law, and might be the means of perpetuating a race of
dwarfs !! Mr. Foye, however, overcame these difficulties
by consulting the lawyers ; and the size and appearance of
the infant, lately born, sufficiently prove that however good a
theologian the clergyman who refuses to officiate might be,
he was at least, an indifferent physiologist ; for though Na-
ture, in her fantastic moods, may make one slip, she never
perpetuates the same to another generation.

EXTRAORDINARY INVESTIGA-
TION AT DONCASTER.

Considerable interest has been excited amongst the sport-
ing characters attending the races at Doncaster in conse-
quence of the apprehension of Mr. John Durden, an iron-
monger, of Reading, in Berkshire, who, it will be recollected,
was a short time ago taken before the Magistrates at Bow-
street, by Leadbitter, the officer, upon a warrant from Don-
caster, charged, wish having fraudulently obtained, u.).(n
two chEAs, the one for 5001., and the other for 3,500/., en
advance of nearly 20,00/., from the banking-house of
Messrs. Leatham, Tew, And Jackson, the eminent bank(r
at Doncaster.
The prisoner was conveyed thither in the custody of tl e
above officer for examination, and on Friday last he was
brought from the gaol for final examination before Sir Wm.
Cooke, the Mayor
John Barwick, clerk to Messrs. Leotham and Co.,
bankers, of Doncaster, stated that on the Dith of Septem-
ber last the prisoner called at the banking-house, and pre-
sented a check for 5.25/., drawn by James Bromley, a gentle-
man residing at Goole, upon the York City and County
Banking Company, payable to the prisoner Durden, or
bearer. Witness knew the signature to be genuine. He
said he had been disposing of some property in the ne.gh-
hourbood to Mr-Bromley, and the check was given to him
in payment. Witness gave him cash for the check, and the
prisoner left his card. On the 22d of September the pri-
soner came again, with another check, drawn by Mr.
Bromley, upon the York City and County Bank, for the
sum of 2,5001., and he said,it was for the remainder of the
money for which he had sold the property at Goole, and he
Cityaot T 31,1
Bankinghad occasion for money on that morning, and if he (wit-
ness) would advance him part he might transmit the re-
mainder through his Isankei At Reading, upon which witness
advanced him 1,0001.
`Thomas and
lr.
Markmp ilawe, clerks to the York
the cheeks, and their refusing payment, )11 consequence of
1, roved the presenting
.eo
and CCI
nu
Mr. Bromley's account being over-drawn.
Mr. Flower cross-examined these witnesses, And they
both admitted that the checks were in Bromley's hand-
writing, and be had an account at their bank some two or
three years, and that occasional advances had been made him.
Mr. Jackson, of the firm of Messrs. Leathern, 'Few, and
Jackson, bankers, had made inquiry at Goole, and could
hear of no property there belonging to Durden, but said
that he had only inquired of one or two persons.
Mr. Fisher at present was not prepared with any new
evidence, and prayed that the prisoner might be remanded
for further examination.
After considerable discussion, the Bench decided that
they should not give any further time, but commit the pri-
soner for trial at the next York Assizes.
Mr. Flower applied to the magistrates to take bail.
Sir W. Cooke said for his part, if being but a case of
misdemeanour, he did not feel disposed to send the pri-
Flo:uvgergetshteend formally
hdaetm demanded dj
uas
tci
coup y
James
etsb et, war-
ranta:kesone; to gaol, but the majority of the bench were of a dif-
ferent opinion.
of commitment and depositions, stating that it had
beenl‘ just
ir.
was at his seat in the neighbourhood, and that he should
lay the matter before his Lordship. He well knew how
that Learned Judge would deal with it.
The case was laid before Mr. Justice Parke the same
evening, and he granted his fiat for a writ of habeas corpus,
commanding the keeper of York Castle to bring the prisoner
before him, to be liberated on bail ; and thus the matter
rests for the present,