Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-24
An Unpublished Leaf from Barnum's Life
...His Interview with Queen Victoria.

An Unpublished Leaf from Barnum's Life
---His Interview with Queen Victoria.
| The New York Sun of late date, tells this
story of the great Snowman, which the editor
declares to be new and reliable:
| Every one knows Tom Thumb, though very
few know Charley Stratton. Charley was 6
nice little fellow, living in Bridgeport, Ot-Bar-
NUNS native place-before he became famous
The first exhibition of him in New York was
only fairly reinuuerative, and Barnum started
for London in the hope of doing better. His
first appearance was in Pail Mall, but despite
heroic endeavor and the loudest "crowing, y
General Thomas Thumbs claims to public no.
tice were overlooked. The first 'slevee" proved
''levy of the purse" instead of the peoples fa-
vor, and Barnum withdrew in disgust.
The second trial was at various English conn
ty fairs-hard work and little pay, or, as the
story goes, "more kicks than coppers." Most
men would have given up entirely, but not Bar
nun. He returned to London, and, like Micaw-
Der, waited for something to turn up" though
it must be confessed even his hope had almost
ebbed out. His misfortune excited the sympa-
thy of his Ow-countrymen, 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 din
ners, and remarked to Barnum that he void
let his guets see the General after dinner, if he
would have him ready-that something might
come of it, and that, at all events, it would be
a qualification to him and diversion to them,
If he were present for few moments. Or
course the proposal was accepted.
1t happened that at the dinner, Sir Charles
Augustus Murray, master of the Queens house
hold, and Sir Edward Phipps, were among the
company. When the cloth was removed, Mr..
Everett rose and said, that his guests had seen
in him fair specimen Of good sized Yankee,
but he wished them to understand that his ma
tive land was not confined in her productions,
to large representatives of the genus homo and
therefore proposed to show them a specimen of
a small Yankee. With that he made signal,
at which Barnum entered and placed Tom
Thumb at the lower end of the table. The Gen
eral being trained in his role, away he went,
nodding and bowling, leaping over wine glasses
and straddling the decanters, until he reached
Mr. Everett's side
The sudden irruption, the winning little face
and blithe manners, not less than the diminu-
tive form, created q sensation which remained
and showed itself in conversation after the Gen
eral had been removed, Sir Chas Murray di-
Lifting somewhat upon the pleasures it would
give the Royal children to see the little sprite.
Ut 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 India Gallery has
made him famous the world over,) and sent his
card and that of Tom Thumb to Sir Ohas Muir
ray, coupled with Mr.. Catlin's address.
From that day Barnum was new man. He
began forthwith to draw pictures of glorious
future, in all which the exhibition OF Tom
Thumb to the Queen and her children, appeared
in the foreground. Day after day, and many
times day, be went to Catlin's rooms, expect
ing to receive the royal mandate. But days
wore to weeks, and the missive came not. Bar
num grew desponding again. At last, just when
hope stopped for her final flight, letter bearing
the well-known royal seal appeared. Barnums
joy knew no bounds. He could not open the
precious envelope. He danced and halloed-
told Catlin over and over again that his fortune
was made-then lay upon the floor screaming
Wit 4elight and kicking up his heels. Blondin
never performed more wonderful antics.
The presention of Tom Thumb to the Court
followed in due time, and etterward came the
fortune which Barnum so confidently predicted
would be its Inevitable result.