The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-07-30
little Mon and Mnmnn.


Notwithstanding the efforts that have
been made by philosopher and physiolo-
gists to discover why some persons stop
growing in childhood, and arrive AZ mature
years children in stature, iruot in intellect,
the cause still remains 10 secret, though the
mental condition of the mother, improper
nursing and infnntileid isensesare believed 10
exert an influence in the matter. These
stunted people. Or dwArl5, have existed ia
all ages, 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, 5aysa writer IN the
Victoria Magazine, Were fond of having
pigmies about their persons and house.
holds, and 80 general was the demand for
these little creatures, that il beCame0 tiade
to- produce them, the ordinary practice be
ing to confne the limbs OF children with
bandages, and THUS prevent their growth
| Roman dwarfs generally went unclothed,
or nearly 30, and were decked with costly
icwelry Several OF the Caesars showed "a
ridiculous partiality for pigmies Dimtion
formed q troop Of pigmy qladiators
Augustus patIonized a dwarf OF
good family who weighed but ~ poundg,
aud caused a statue 10 be made Of him, the
eVes Of which were formed of Jewels. In
almost all countries dwnrfl have eniuyed
the favor and protection of the great The
Egyptians and Turks kept them, and ia
the conquest Of Mexico the Spuuiards
found several in Montezumn's palace.
Numerous European monarchs have eX-
hibited a strong partially for them
Dwaris are sometimes endowed with u
high degree Of Intelligence, but generally
their intellectual faculties are weak.
Among the female dwaris who have ut.
tracted wide public attention is mentioned
q Miss Gnchimi, o Sicilipn dwarf, who was
exhibited in London half a century ago,
and was then 10 years Of age. Her hight
was 49, inches, the length Of her foot 81
inches, the length of her forefnger L.
inches, her waist III inches in circumfcr-
ence, her head l2i inches, wrist . inches,
and her ankle 81 inches. Her proportions
we're tiny, vet elegant. She enjoyed re-
markedly good health, was full of animal
spirits, fond Of wine, mDsic and gay clothes,
and displayed an intelligence far be-
youd her age. For doctors she displayed
"a not unnatural aversion, as they frg-
quently displcased her by making minute
examinations. When one was announced
she doubled up her Gilbert of a fist and
slowed with indignation. "A toleruble
sized DOLL says u contemporary writer,
acting aud speaking, would not astonish
u 80 much for nature is, in this instance,
Ear more wonderful than art would ht
Only imagine a creature about half as large
AZ a newly born infant, perfect in all parts
and llneameuts, uttering words in % strange
and uuearthly voice, understanding what
you say, Il replying to your questions.
In 1915, Nanetta Stocker, II charming ht.
tie Austrian lady, "a inches high, was .cX-
hibited IN London She performed skill
fully on the piano, and was generally ac.
compauied by another dwarf who played
on the violin. She died ut the age of 80.
Miss Shaw, who was described as "thy
beautiful fairy, ID was exhibited in England
in 1871, with her brother, also q dwarf.
She was then II years Of age and 81 inches
high. Both were well proportional, Of
pleasing countenance, and possessed OF
several accomplishments Elsphet Wat
son, who attained the extraordinary age Of
rs, wa 80 inches high She was born at
Perth, where she died ia 1900.