Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-06-26
M MISCELLAN N Y
Remarkable DWarfs.


One of the most beautiful of Sir Joshua Rey-
nolds' pictures, is the fairy Puck, sitting on
mushroom and the jolly little elf looks as if be
enjoyed life right merrily and relished his pill
grimages through earth-ai- and sea; this leads
US naturally to the subject of dwarfs, and DIS
rieli in his curiosies of literature did not grudge
chapter to that topic, in which he displays q
vast deal of recondite learning. Russia has just
emerged from her barbarism the illnstrious
Peter had flown from empire to empire, and
from kingdom to kingdom, seeking knowledge
whereby to civilize the savage tribes which
called him MASTER AT the court, pigmies held
high position, but they in fact, were only re-
vival of the days of ancient Rome, where these
little beings were of high repute. Julia had
one in her train who was only two-and-a- halt
feet high, celebrated for his scholarship and pro-
iciency in literature and historians record, ind
he was compelled to keep weights in his pocket
to prevent himself from being blown away
John of Estrix appeared before the Prince of
Parma in 1892, be was the greatest linguist OF
his day; Bebe, q French dwarf, long resided at
the palace of the Duke of Lorraine, who had tor
mally been King of Poland. This parsonage, at
the time of his birth, was so diminutive, that
the human nipple was too large for his mouth,
and he was fed by goat-his intellect did not
exceed, if it equalled the instinct OF well train
ed pointer; he could never be taught to count,
and he died at the age of twenty-three. Before
that time he became very infrm, but during the
last few days of his life he showed more intel
lect than he ever had before displayed.
The Court of Charles the 1st was as gay as
that of his son, but much more decorous. The
Duke of Buckingham was perhaps the most ele-
CANT man of his day, and once prayed the King
and Queen to honor him with their company at
q ho Aaiaa
earth, air or sea could afford, was lavished in
the most costly profusion fruits, still fresh with
dews, the ruddy orange and the paler lime
tempted the taste and SMELL Wines rivalling
the ruby and the topaz, shown in the finest glass,
cornncopias of sponge sugar, resembled gems,
and yet the gay host seemed to be expecting
somewhat else boil rare and curious. Two foot
men bore pie which they placed before the
King, and Buckingham, taking up knife, in
vited the King to cut this last dish-Charles as
sented, and what was his great surprise to be-
hold, when be lifted the top of the mighty pas
try, tiny warrior who, emerging from his
crusty dungeon, and stepping upon the table,
gracefully saluted first Charles and the rest of
the company-t was the famous Jeffery Hudson,
| who played no small part in the history of the
times; who adhered to bis mistress, when many
of larger stature deserted her cause. He was
captured by the Barbary Corsair, and was cap
tain of the Guard. He challenged well born
gentleman, OF the name of Orofts, to mortal
combat, which the other declining, the Knight
shot his antagonist dead on the spot. He was
afterwards sent to France on confidential er
rand, and he ended bis days in captivity as a
State prisoner. He showed uncommon qualities
of both head and heart In the mind of Peve
ri, of the Peak, the great magician has given us
an admirable portrait of the little soldier.
In 1718 Lady Wortley Montague thus speaks
of the custom of the German Court: "All the
Princes had favorite dwarfs. The Emperor and