Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-08-06
Lille Men and Women.

Notwithstanding the efforts that have
been made by philosophers and physiolo-
eists to discover why some persons stop
growing in childhood, and arrive at mature
wears children in stature, ifnotin intellect
the cause still remains secret, though the
mental condition of the mother, impropar
nursing and iniantileid diseasesare, ,believedto
exert an influence IN the matter. These
stunted people. or dwaris, have existed in
allages, and among all people, and have
ever been objects OF curiosity. In remote
times, their sole purpose in life seemed To
be to furnish amusement for the titled and
wealthy The Romans, says writer in the
Victoria Magazine, were fond of having
pie1nies about their persons and house
holds, and SO general was the demand for
these little creatures, that it became trade
to produce them, the ordinary practice be-
ing to eontine the limbs of children with
bandages, and thus prevent their growth
Roman dwarfs generally went unclothed,
or nearly so, and were decked with costly
jewery,. Several of the Caesars showed a
ridiculous partiality for pigmies. Dimitian
formed o. troop of pigmy gladiators,
Augustus patronized, a. dwarf OF
good family who weighed but II pounds,
andcaused statue TO be made Of him, the
eyes OF which were formed of jewels In
almost all countiaes dwarfs have enjoyed
the favor and protection of the great. The
Egyptians and Turks kept them, and in
the conquest of Mexico the Spdniards
found several in. Montezuma's palace.
Numerous European monarchs have ex'
hibited strong partiality for them.
Dwarfs are sometimes endowed with a
high degree of intelligence but generally
their intellectual faculties are weak
Among the female dwarfs who have at
tracted wide public attention is mentioned
Miss Grachimi, Sicilian dwarf, who was
exhibited in London half century ago,
and was then 10 years Of age. Her hight
was f9l inches, the length of her foot 81
inches, the length of her forefnger LIZ
inches, her waist III inches in circnmfer-
ence, her head.12l inches, wrist q inches,
and her ankle 3 !, inches, Her proportions
were tiny, yet elegant. She. enjoyed re-
markably good health, was full OF animal
spirits, fond of wine, Music and gay clothes,
and displayed an intelligence far be-
yond her age. For doctors she displayed
not unnatural aversion, as they fire.
quently displeased her by making minute
examinations. When one was announced
she doubled up her Gilbert Of a fist" and
glowed with indignation. ''A tolernble
sized DOLL" says cotemporary writer,
"acting and speaking, would not astonish
us so much-for nature is, in this instance,
far more wonderful than art would be-
Only imagine a creature about half as large
as a newly born infant, perfect in all parts
and lineaments, uttering words in strange
and unearthly voice, understanding what
you soy, and replying to your questions.
In 1916, 'Nanetta Stocker, charming lit-'
tie Austrian lady, "a inches high was ex-
hibited in London. She performed skill
fully ON the piano, and was generally ac
companied by another dwarf who played
on the violin. She died at the age Of 80.
Miss Shaw, who was described as "the
beautiful fairy, was exhibited in England
in 1S41, with her brother, also dwarf
She was then Al years of age and 32 inches
high. Both were well proportioned, of
pleasing countenance, and possessed of
several accomplishments. Elsphet Wat
son, who attained the extraordinary age of
lis, was 80 inches high. She was born at
Perth, where she died in 1900.