Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-09-22
(From the Richmond Whig.)
A NATURAL CURIOSITY,

mr. Eui'or.-lh travelling a few days since
IN my native county, Bedford, saw prodigy
to which J wish to invite public attention
Inns prodigy is Mr.. Josephu. Henry Caflin
lie Is near seventeen years old; is two feet
Tour inches high /; and weighs twenty-three
pounds. lie was Llipu,ian Eat his birth
For more than five years he has not grown
pcrcePtibiy; and 1t is not likely that his sta
l're VIII be increased, as his countenance in
dicates that ne has passed the meridian of life
vi ms form, owing TO the looscness of his
dress, ! could not very accurately iudyc U;S
mead Is dIsproportionaely large, but bv no
means monstrous. He has slight protIIber-
ance on his back. which is not visible tbropoh
his clothing; and the muscles which contract
Tie hand are inactive. In all other respects.
so lar as could observe or learn his s,ruc-
lure and his functions, are perfect. lie stands
erect, walks, runs, and leaps like other bipeds;
ana, strange as IT may appear, he is an adept in
paying marbles, OF which game he is fond
Ills coun'enance is grave, intelligent and pleas
ant. Oi the powers of his mind had but lit
lie opportunity of Judging. He cannot read
out his aunt, who has charge of him, informed
me that when sent to school for shor, NO
Rod, he learned readily. He is fond of con
versatlon, deemed witty by his neiehbors. and
has good talent for mimicrv. saw him
myself initiate vullure, summing itself and
spreading It's wings, with striking accuracy
ana effect said to him--sMaster Chatlin. !,
is n pity you cannot 60 TO school: Won minht
become scholar" "Yes,'' he promp,lv re-
Piled, sand teacher too" told him was
apprehenslve the little boys and girls would
overrun him. "No,'' said he, 'sthcy would'nt.n
And he spoke with a firmness which indi-
ca'ed that he was man ofauthority but still
was IN great doubt, as to whether, i'm case of
an instruction among the little urchins, Mas
,er Chafhn, with regiment ofhis peers 10 aid
nm, would be able TO maintain it.
Mr. Chahn processes to be a connoisseur.
l was introduced to this wonderful man at n
religious meeting in his neighborhood. That
might ENJOY good opportunity of cultivat-
ing ms ACQUAINTANCE, took him on my arm.
ana carried him into the woods. A crowd
soon collected around us; among the rest.
three young ladies came. lie was requested
by one of his neighbors TO select the hand
soonest After surveying them very carefully
Tor some time, he pointed at the lady TO whom
he awarded the honor. ] differed with Master
Josephus in judgment; but il was a mere mat
ter OF taste, and perhaps he was right, and
was wrong
have seen the "Living Skeleton have
seen an exact likeness of the Siamese Twins
III wax, but have never seen any being in hu-
man form, nor indsed any other object. so
wonderful, and SO interesting, as this dwarf.
and doubt whether the world has ever seen n
'ail grown man so small ] should have
oeemed sight OF him an ample compensation
'or the expense and toll Of my trip 10 the up
per country.
Mr. -. and ms relations are poor but res
pectable Suggested to bis aun, the proprie-
~ OF exhibiting him i'll some of our large cities.
| ne thought was not new to her: but she
| seemed scepiIcal as to the result of the expe-
rimehf' and slrank from it with commend
aole modesiy ] believe The public would be
greatly gratiiied by the exhibition. And if am
not deceived, when the knowledge of this
Prooigy shall have been diniIsed through the
community, the family will be compelled. in
sen1ue'ence. to comply with the general wish
Tor his exhibition.
MIR. Chaiiin resides near the mouth of Otter
rVer' twenty miles from Lynchburg, and ten
rom New London. IT lis TO be hoped that
some OF the medical faculty will visit him
ana furnish the public with more particuIa,
ana correct account Of this extraordinary be-
ing u is proper that should state, that
learned, from various sources in the neichbor-
nooo' mat among the ancestors of fhis man
mere mas been several marriages within near
ueerees OF consanguinty. J. b. JETER.
I MI Ross Wipnans, Of Baltimore, has inst fin
tn-o,. 4. -