The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-22

BARNuM's BABY Show AND HIS BOTTLE HOLD
ERA recent examination before one OF our
police courts has brought Barnum before the
public in new character. One day last week
he was brought up to the bar of justice, when
it appeared that he had already commenced the
preliminary arrangements for his baby show.
The Developments, given elsewhere, ere quite
curious, and they may be considered as an ex-
position Of the method adopted by the manager
OF Joice Hesh and Jenny Lind to secure the
success Of the great baby show which is an
nounced to be opened next month.
It seems that Barnum has in his employ
ment German of the name of Hessing. Mrs.
Hessing is described by the reporters as a
"clean and moderately pretty German dame,"
while her husband swears that she has " great
power over New York gentlemen" Both au-
thorities are good, and SO we may safely believe
that Mrs. Hessing is pretty and agreeable
woman. Nov, Barnum, thinking probably
that the Teutonic type Of beauty ought to
be represented at the show, called upon Mrs
Hessing and did the agreeable-in fact, inflict-
ed upon her a chaste salute. As it was not
impossible that Mrs. Hessing might have a
specimen for the show, and as her baby would
probably be q fine one, coming from healthy
and handsome stock, Barnum adopted the best
means for the purpose of securing it. Mark,
now, the ipgratitude of Hessing He was
so absurd as to object to the kissing Of
Mrs. Hessing by another person, and he
Brought up Barnum to answer to charge
Of attempted violation. The little Irritation
and the kiss was proven and not denied,
but the other charge was not made out. Bar
mum made speech to the reporters on the
most singular of all su6jects-his character
and standing in the community, and walked
out of court.
It seems from a review of the above facts
that Barnum is not quite SO successful in love
sffairs as he has been in some other matters.
He commenced his negotiations for the baby
show in somewhat novel way, and became SO
much mixed up with babies, petticoats, kisses,
and the like vanities, that Mr.. Howard was
moved to come before the public as his bottle
holder. We do not mean to say that there was
nything but water, or milk and water, in the
bottle referred to. Mr.. Howard has published
a letter attesting to the purity Of Barnum's
neral character, and otherwise bearing tssti-
mony to his elevated position and high stand
ing in the community. This was kind Of Mr..
Howard.
The whole matter gives the public an insight
into Barnum's peculiar negotiations prelimina
~ to the coming grand exhibition Of infantile
humanity. AS he has announced that he has
thirty or forty babies engaged, it is probable
that he has adopted similar mode of proce-
dure in other cases, varied perhaps by circum-
stances. A complete account Of Barnum's ma
ternal and infantile diplomatic feats, would be
quite interesting, both to the exhibitors and
patrons Of the show. 1t will be seen, also, that
Barnum makes statement altogether super
fuous under the circumstances in saying that
no one could get any money from him. Every
body is aware that no woman, were she as beau
tiful as an angel and as sweet a singer as the
Nightingale, (Swedish,) could get cent out of
Barnum. He can get the money out of other
people, but no one ever gets any of it back.
Barnum and his baby negotiations make rich
episode in city life.