True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-03-12
THE WAX HEAD.

THE WAX HEAD.
[The following amusing account Of the ad-
ventures of wax head Of Franklin,
made by the eccentric and celebrated
Mrs. Wright, is from work shortly to
~ published, entitled ''Mcn and Times
q of the Revolution, or Memoirs of Elka- |
F nah Watson:" i'hff ' ;1 |
Temployed Mrs. w. to make the head Of
Franklin, which was often the source of
much amusement to me. After it was com
pleted, both being invited to dine whh
Franklin, conveyed her to Passy in my
carriage, she bearing the head upon her lap.
No sooner were we in the presence Of the
doctor than she placed one head by the side
of the other. "There,"" she exclaimed,
''are twin brothers ~ The likeness was
truly admirable; and, at the suggestion of.
Mrs, Wright. to give it more effect, Frank
| lin sent Inc suitof silk clothes he wore
in ITS. Many years afterwards the head
was broken in Albany and the clothes /
presented to the "Historical Society of
Massachusetts" a,.r'...r a.a'.
An adventure occurred to Mrs. Wright,
in connection with this head, ludicrous in
the highest degree, and although almost in-
credible, is literally true. After the head
had been modelled, she walked ont to Passy-
carrying it in q napkin, in order to compare
it with the original. In returning in the
/ evening she was stopped at the barrier, in
course to be searched for contraband goods;
but as her mind was as free as her native
American air, she knew no restraint, nor
the reason why she wasdetained. She re-
sisted the attempt to examine her bundle,
and broke out in the rage of a fury. The
officers were amazed, as no explanation, in
the absence of an interpreter could take
place. She was compelled, however, to
yield to power. The bundle was opened,
and, to the astonishment Of the officials, ex-
hibited the head of dead man, as appear
ed to them in the obscurity of the night.
They closed the bundle without furtherex-
animation, believing as they afterwards as
sured me, that she Was all escaped maniac,
who had committed murder and was about
eoncealing the head of her victim.
They were determinedto convey her to
the police station, when she made them
comprehend her entreaties to be taken to
the Hotel de York. ! was in my room and
hearing in the passage great uproAr, and
Mrs. WIS voice pitched upon higher key
than usual, rushed out and found her in
terrible rage, her fine eye flashing.
thrust myself between her and the officers,
exclaiming, "Ah, mon Dieu, quest ,e quill
yal' An explanation ensued. All except
Mrs. w. were highly amused at the singu-
larity and absurdity of the affair.
The head and clothes l transmitted to
Nantes; they were the the instruments of
many ifrolics, not inappropriate to my
youth, but perhaps it is hardly safe to ad-
vertto'them in my age. A few Twill ven-
ture to relate.f On my arrival at Nantes, I
caused the head to be properly adjusted to
the dress, which was arranged in natural
shape and dimensions. j had the figure
placed in the corner of alarge room near a
closet, and behind table. Before him |
Elaid an open atlas, and mathematicalinstru
ments strewn upon it. handkerchief was
thrown over the arm stumps; wires were
extended to the closet, by which means the
body could be placed in various positions.
Thus arranged, some ladies and gentlemen
were invited to pay their respects to DR..
Franklin, by candle-light. For moment
they were completely deceived and all pro-
toundly bowed and curtesied, which was re-
ciprocntedby the figure. Nota word being
uttered the trick was soon revealed. |
A report soon circulated that DR.! Frank-
lin was at Monsieur Watson's, ''sur l'Isle
de Freydson." At eleven o'clock the next
morning, the Mayor of Nantes camc in full
dresst to call on the renowned philosopher.
Cossoul, my worthy partner, being acquain-
ed with the mayor, favored the joke for
moment, after their mutual salutations. -
Others came in and all were disposed to
gull their friends in the same manner.
The most amusing Of all the incidents
connected with this head, occurred in Lon :
don where had sent it after the peace of
'9S, where had established bachelors
hall in that city. Iplaced the figure in full
dress, with the head leaning out Of the
window, apparently gazing up and down
} the sauareu. HssAsAfosmarly beaaivelI