The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-02-09
From CLambcrs' Miscellany.
Children Of the Wilds.

extraordinary means, been preserved, aud
have lived IN savage condition till found
by chance and brought within the pale of
IcIyiliZaton. Ii has occasionally happened
that beasts usually remarkable for ierucity
have nurturcd them until strong enough 10
subSiSt upon roots, berries, and other fruits.
Children found under such circumstances
have always been regarded with interest.
Though painful to the last degree 10 behold
a human being possessing all the character
iS,icS Of wild beast, yet 1t has been pleas
ing and instructive to watch the gradual de-
velopment Of their faculties, and the growth
of their moral sentiments. tits our purpose
in this tract TO record one of the most prom
inent. Many accounts OF wild children
for example, that of Valentine aud Or>on-
are doubtless fabulous: ithaS been our care,
however, 10 select one that is well authen.
ticated.
/ There is no instance on record which cx-
cited more curiosity, especially in England,
than that Of child who was known Us
PETER THE WILD BOY.
At the beginning Of the last century,
great sensation was created by the accIden-
tai finding Of a lid boy IN German forest,
to whom the above name was atterw ards
given. The earliest account Of him il 10 be
found in letter from the llauuVCrlau cor
respondent OF the 81. JamcS'S Evening Post,
published December ii, 1925 "lhe i'll
teudant Of the house of correction at Icll,"
says the writer, "has brought a boy 10 Han
over, supposed to be about fifteen years Of
age, who was found some time ago IN
wood near HamellU, some twenty miles
hence, lie was walking on his hands and
iect, climbing up trees like squirrel, aud
feeding upon grass and moss Of trees" The
young savage was brought TO George l.,
who was at that time residing IN Hanover.
j he KING was at dinner, and some food was
offered the youth, which he rejected. His
majesty then ordered him such meat as he
liked best; and raw food having been bru't.
lie deyuurcd ItwIlh relish. As he was I'M
able 10 speak, it was impossible TO learn how
he was first Abandoned ia the woods, and hy
what means he existed. Great care Was
taken Of the boy by order Of the king; but,
despite the vigilance of those who had charge
OF him, he escaped in less thau a month 10
the woods. Every species Of restraint had
been evidently lrk>ome him, aud he avail
ed himself OF the first opportunity Of freedom
I that occurred. The woods inth upighbur-
/ hood Of Hanover were diligently searched.
and al length ne was discovered hiding in a
. tlcc. The hodest Of his pur>ucr> were i'm
able 10 reach him, for a, fast A. thcv a,temr.
tea To- climb, he pushed them dow u. SO great
was his strength. As last resource, they
sawed down the tree luckily, 1t Tell with.
I out hurting its occupant, aud he was once
more captured.
/ Early nthc following ycar112G) George
/ |. returned to England, and Peter was LroI
/ ever also. Iii, appearance IN London cN-
cited intense curiosity. The public UaprI>
tccmoi with notices Of his conduct and ap.
! pcarsuce. On arriving at the palace. a suit
| If blue clothes was prepared tor him: but
! he seemed very uneasy at wearing apparel
Of any SnI', and it was only restraint that
would induce him 10 wear it. Various coli
orS and descriptions Of costume were mean.
. time provided, aud at length his taste ap-
/ pcarcd to be aratiicd by strange dress.
I thus described by "A correspondent to an I'd
/ iubUrgh newspaper, AYiii -. l72G:-'.Ihc
wild youth is dressed in green. lined with
red ana has scarlet stockings BY the
same account, We ma that he he'd been
'a"gi' 10 abandon the use IL hN bands III
"sNlng. ana to move about lnan erect pos
lure "iie walks upright" says the Salae
a"'hut'l, "ahI mas begun TO Sit Tor his PIC
iure' IN ms hr>t arrival, no inducements
cou'u persuade hlin to lie IN bed, and he
would only sleep IN corner of room.
When III presence OF the court, Peter al
ways took most notice Of the king, and of
the princess ms daughter. The scene was
so novel to him, aud he 50 strange al object
to those who saw him, that many ludcrouN
scenes took place, which are dangerously
related by Dean Swift IN his amusing aC-
count 'oi the wonderful wild man that was