The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-01-04


An Unpublished Leaf from Barnum's
Life--His Interview with Qneen Vic
toria.
The New York Sun of late date tells
this story of the great Snowman, which
the editor declares to be new and relia-
BILE:
Every one knows Tom Thumb, though
very few know Charley Stratton. Char
ley was nice little fellow living in Bridge
port, Ct-Barnums native place-before
he became famous. The first exhibition
of him in New Y ork was only fairly re-
munerative, and Barnum started for Lon
don in the hope Of doing better, His
first appearance was in Pail Mall, but
despite heroic endeavor and the loudest
Growing" General Thomas Thumb :
claims to public notice were overlooked.
The first 'Levee" proved ".levy of the
purse instead Of the peoples favor, and
Barnum withdrew in disgust
The second trial was at various Enr.
lish country fairs-hard work and little
pay, or as the story goes, "more kicks
than coppers." Most men would have
given up entirely, but not Barnum He
returned to London, and, like Micawbcr,
waited for something to turn up" though
it must be confessed even his hope had
almost ebbed out His misfortunes ex
cited the sympathy of his fellow-county
men, and, among them of Edward Everett,
then United States Minister at the Court
of ST. James. Mr.. Everett was preparing
for one of his usual diplomatic dinners,
and remarked to Barnum that he would
let his guests see the General after the
dinner, if he would have him ready
that something might come of it, and that,
at all events it would be qualification to
him and o diversion to them, if he were
present for few moments. Of course,
the proposal was accepted
1t happened that at the dinner, Sir
Charles Augustus Murray, Master of the
Queens Household, and Sir Edward
Phipps, were among the company. When
the cloth was removed, MrEverett rose
and said, that his guests had seen in him
fair specimen of good sized Yankee,
but he wished them to understand that
his native land was not confined in her
productions, to large representatives of
the genus homo, and therefore, he pro-
posed to show them specimen Of small
Yankee. With that, he made signal,
at which, Barnum entered and placed
Tom Thumb at the lower end of the table.
The general had been trained in his role,
and away he went, nodding and bowling,
leaping over wine glasses and straddling
the decanters, until he reached Mr.. Eve
retts side.
The sudden irruption, the winning lit
tie face and blithe manners, not less than
the diminutive form, created sensation
which remained and showed itself in
conversation after the General had been
removed, Sir Charles Murray dilating
somewhat upon the pleasures it would
give the Royal children to see the little
sprite. Of course, Mr. Barnum heard Of
this from Mr.. Everett Having no "local
habitation" in all London, he availed
himself of the kindness of George Catlin
Esq, (whose Indian Gallery has made
him famous the world over) and sent his
card and that of Tom Thumb to Sir
Charles Murray, coupled with Mr.. Cat
lis's address.
From that day Barnum was new
man. Ae began forthwith to draw pic
lures of glorious future in all which the
exhibition of Tom Thumb to the Queen
and her children appeared in the fore
ground. Day after day, and many times
day, he went to Catlin' rooms, expecting
to receive the royal mandate. But days
wore to weeks, and the missive came not.
Barnum grew responding again. At last,
Just when hope stopped for her final
fight, the letter bearing the well known
royal seal appeared. Barnums joy knew no
bounds. He could not open the precious
envelop He danced and hollered-told
Catlin over and over again that his for.
tune was made--then lay upon the floor,
screaming with delight, and kicking up
his heels. Blondin never performed more
wonderful antics.
The presentation Of Tom Thumb TO the
Court followed in due time, and afterward
came the fortune which Barnum so con
fidently predicted would be its inevitable
result