Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-06-28
MISCELLANEOUS,
A CAPITAL. STORY.

great IS said 10 have played off worthy gen
tleman, Peyton 5. Symmes, Of Cincinnati This story
has recently been resusclaed aud embelished BY some
additions not in The original and has been repeated 50
often, that Mr.. Symmes naturally felt ANNOYED and to
relieve him, Powers written TO- and in reply he
wrote the suboned very amusing accuunro Of The affr
Florence, March q, IS49
To Pey'on s. Symmfs, Esq.-.uy Dear Sir: In
letter from MI Kellogg. am requested the facts
alleged imposition upon YOU by Mr. Henderson
the 1t has been said in some Of our paners ,b,
ynn were OF the number upon whom Mr.. H. Imposed him
self as ,cGr figure, in the Western museum some 6f
teen or twenty years ago. and my has been given
as authority for the truth Of the story. II natural that
you should disrelsh such impulaon and as the so
ry, s. far as you are concerned ii, untrue it is but
just that yon should desire the reutaon from me-
remember t. have said, whenever the story was told
that Mr. Henderson had designs upon several Of orr most
respectable citizens yourself of the number but these
designs were never executed, excepting upon half do
zen or more persons residing in the immediate vicinity
of the Museum. This done in order tc satisfy me
that the hing was practicable, fF Mr. Henderson hoped
to prevail upon to allow him the use of one of the
large glass enclosures in the museum for his experiments
upon larger scale. He succeeded perfectly in dnpInr
the halt dozen individuals above alluded TO- but with
held my consent to any further proceedings and SO the
matter ended. allowed him the ase Of a small room
for performing the experiments for thought he would
fail and that thus should get rid of his request for the
use OF case IN the museum, without having deny him
favor.
When Henderson had prepared himself one Of his ac
quantances was invited into the room to an unn-
lsned representation of Henderson, the actor in the
character Of Sir Francis GRIPPE" On entering. the flo
ure was seen standing in of room with the
head leaning against an old coat folded in such man
ner as 10 afford back ground and thus prevent unsead
ness which would lead to detection white WIG made
OF horse hair decorated the head The face was daubed
with ochre, vermion and ampblack the features were
much distorted 50 much SO that had my
artist depended upon their resemblance to the ORIGINAL
might have feared for the result of the examination a.
bout to take place. The visitor however seemed dis
posed TO fatter me- and grateful for the permission to see
an unfinished work. assured me that had been very sue
cessul IN the likeness. He h,ught, indeed, that had
improved upon the orig inal. begged him to sugges,
any improvement that might occur 10 him. He replied
Perhaps you might modify that peculiar cock Of the eve
little and, III were You. would give him a better
leg, instead ofhose spindle shanks of his ;" This last
remark occasloned decided change in the expression of
the wax figure. for Henderson thought good deal of his
legs This change, however, not observed by the
visitor, who still regarded the legs; but had great lift
Guilty In containing my counenance, udicrous was the
scene The ,rdr face had now recovered its proper ex
preston, when our visitor took mp the lamp and against
my dlssuaslve remarks-that the effect was best at
distance, that the thing was yet finished and
quenty would not bear close inspection he walked d.
recy up 10 the figure and stood within foot of it face
to face. 1t was evident that trick was ever suspec-
ed as held The lamp. now above, now 10 side, then
below, &c, &c., the better to examine The work. The
actors eyes had now been kept long open ritho,a
'ci'klng that moisture was beginning collect in the c
ners observing which, our critic exclaimed marvel
ious! Marvellous! How in the world did you contrve
to make these tears2 Did you gum Arabic, or copa
varnish?" AT this: the friend who stood at my side
could refrain no longer but laughed outright was O.
bged 10 laugh asn but the actor still maintained the
udlcrons gravity of his counenance The critic appear
ed confused for moment. staring at nquiringy, but
he soon became aware that trick had been played upon
him. and, suddenly. turning again upon the wax figure
he seized 1t by the nose, and the wea he gave ii would
have proved fatal to The symmetry Of waxen probos
cs As it was. however, it did damage to that organ
but II brought some additional moisture to Henderson's
eyes. and an exclamation from his mouth Of On it,
don'L You forget that my is made of wax
Others were introduced after this see The wax figure
but shall not attempt describe aLy more Of these in
| teIveWs
You at liberty to make use Of The above statement
IN private indeed publicly. should youdeem
1t necessary to Ieue any statements of opposite
acter.
With pleasant recoecons Of your kindness and civil
lilies at Cincinnati.
beg you 10 believe me very sincerely yours.
HIRAM POWERS.