The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-06-25
The -Four Wonders.
ALBANY, June 21st, 1870.

ALBANY, June AIst, 1ctU.
Mr.. EDITOR As / observe in read
ing the papers that the wortd-renowned
Nova Scotia giantess, and the equally
famous French giant, are about to visit
us, take this opportunity to steal little
time from business matters to give your
readers short account of parlor receP-
tion given by them at the International
Hotel, San Francisco, at which I had the
pleasure of being present as an invited
guest, during my late sojourn in that
city.
Miss Anna Swan, the Nova Scotia
giantess, is indeed perfect hviny scoa,der.
Weighing 413 pounds without the ap-
pearance of "squabbiness," feet l inch
in hight by actual measurement, social,
sparkling and interesting in conversation,
she suddenly rises to move across the
room for some little article, when her
immense proportions darken the air, and
you involuntarily catch your breath and
mentally ejaculate-well I'm afraid to
guess what you ,couH calculate. AS for
myself | was 30 overawed that, for almost
the first time in my remembrance, | for
got for two whole minutes to say anything.
One rascally reporter stood almost dumb
/ in the spresence" until he found an op-
portunity to make an undignifed exit.
After he had finally entered the hall, |
heard him utter, as the door was closing
upon him, the simple but comprehensive
adjective, ssHUGE !" He survived, and
a leading San Francisco paper the next
day contained glowing account of his
impressions.
The giant, with the gallantry charac-
teristic of his countrynen, seeing your
humble servant sitting there as a silent
simpleton, came over to the side of the
room where I had been stationed by the
!. usher, and taking seat upon the sofa,
which trembled under his weight, soon
engaged me in conversation upon gen.
eral topics. My tongue was loosened,
and for ten minutes at least l talked, or
listened to his praises of our country and
its most successful national humbug-
Mr. Barnum.
Little Major Green, the Virginia
dwarf, sprightly little body, less in size
than Bantam rooster, accompanies them
as a contrast. A Circassian lady, re-
markable for her beauty, completes this
wonderful party whose coming among us
will be hailed with pleasure by all who
can go to see them.
l was honored on another occasion by
a special invitation to visit the giant al
his parlor. I complied, and spent a hall
: hour in very engaging conversation
with him upon his travels. Especially
upon the Pacific Railroad and his views
of our country, which he styles saperl
magnificent, grand, with all the politenes'
and eclat ef sixteen little Frenchmen
did he grow eloquent and interesting
He is over eight feet high, of excellen
proportions and dignifed aemeanor, ant
receives company in full military dress
I also had the pleasure of several socia
interviews with Miss Anna Swan and tn,
Circassian lady, at one of which the little
Major and their business manager wer'
present. Repartce, sense and nonsense
composed our conversation on such occa
sions, while the time was made profitable
7 to me at least in making a fancy dres
for Miss Anna, which you may all hav
an opportunity to see her wear at pub
lie reception before many days in Albany
MKs. D.