Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
LITTLE MEN AND WOMEN.
FACTS ABOUT SOME DlMlNUTIVE
SPECIMENS OF HUMANITY.

SPECIMENS OF HUMANITY.
An Old Time Recipe for Checking Growth.
Many Little People with Interesting
Records-A Dwarf Destroyed by Cats.
Dolly Button and Her Troubles.
Few freaks of nature are of greater inter-
est than little people, for a symmetrical
dwarf is diamond edition of mankind; and
as diminutive bits of mechanism are esteemed
because of their rarity, SO they are regarded
with more interest than ordinary men,
although doubtless of less use to the world in
practical way. A curious old author gives
an infalhble recipe for dwarfing men by art.
He says: ''If you anoint their spines in their
spines in their very infancy with the grease
of mules, bats and dormice they will be of
short stature" He adds: 1.-THE Bononians
in Italy, to make their dogs very little, wash
their feet and backbones very often from
their birth in cold spring water, which, dry
ing and hardening these parts, hinder their
extension"
Some of our modern Barnums would, no
doubt, like to try these experiments if as
sured of their efficacy; but they would be
much better appreciated by them than by
the unfortunate subjects of their attentions
Probably the smallest individual on record
was an Egyptian dwarf, who lived in the
reign of Theodosius This diminutive pigmy
was so exceedingly small that he represented
partridge, yet he performed the duties of a
grown man, and as an ancient historian puts
it, "had an excellent knack at singing music
ally" Another one. John de Estrix, of
Mechlen, who lived in 1892, at 35 years of
age had long beard, and was but three feet
in height. He was noted for his good sense
and ingenuity, spoke three languages to per-
lection, played well at most games, and was
very industrious in all things that he was
capable of undertaking.
A DMINUTIVE COURIER.
Among other dwarfs of exceptional talent
mentioned in history, one of the most prom
inent is Joseph Bornulaski Russian by
birth, who was known throughout Europe as
"Joujou." He was of an exceedingly amiable
disposition, and unusually well educated. 1t
was this dwarf who made the celebrated re-
tort to Maria Theresa empress of Austria
While he was visiting Vienna, the empress
lifted him up on her lap and asked him what
he thought the most wonderful sight he had
seen in his travels, whereupon the little cour-
tier replied: 1.-THE strangest sight is that l
see at the present moment"
sand what is that?" inquired the empress.
woman"
After marrying young lady of ordinary
size, Joujou settled down in life and became
the head of quite large family. He wrote
and published book descriptive of his life
and travels, and lived until the remarkable
age of 9S years.
During the last century several noted
dwarfs were ON exhibition in various parts of
Europe. Quite a sensation was created in
London by tiny couple known as Mr.. and
Mrs. Robert Skinner, who were each but two
feet in height. Their carriage, which was
about the size of a baby's, was drawn by two
dogs, and their coachman was a small boy
dressed in purple and yellow livery. They
had no less than fourteen children none of
whom were unusually small
THE MOST FAMOUS AMONG DWARFs.
During the French revolution a dwarf
named Richebourg was made useful in car
rying letters and messages out of Paris. He
was dressed in full suit of baby clothes, and
with the secret papers hidden about his per-
son was carried in the arms of nurse.
Very luckily for the ''baby" the trick was
never discovered. This pigmy lived to the
age of 90 years, and during the last twenty
five years of his life never went out of doors,
being very shy before strangers.
The most famous dwarf in history is I'M
doubtedly the celebrated Jeffrey Hudson,
who was only IS inches tall when he made
his first appearance before the king of Eng
land, served up, it is said, in cold pie, out
of whose crust he leaped in the full attire of
page of honor. After this the dwarf was
presented to Queen Henrietta Maria, and
soon succeeded in obtaining the utmost con-
iidence of the queen. While on his way to
France, on a confidential mission of great
importance, he was captured by French
privateer, but was soon after released at the
express command of the French court. In
the civil war Jeffrey obtained commission
as captain of horse but followed the fortunes
of his mistress when she took refuge in
France.
One of the most singular occurrences con-
nected with lilputians took place in England
q few years ago. when pigmy II years of
are and barely 25 inches high was actually
torn to pieces by cats. The Snowman having
him in charge conceived the idea of estab-
fishing a miniature menagerie, with the dwarf
as tanner. He accordingly caused number
of cats to be painted to resemble tigers, and,
giving the dwarf q whip, he compelled him
by threats and kicks to goad them into a fu-
rious rage. The consequence was that the
poor little fellow, who had always had great
aversion to cats, was attacked by the infuri-
ated animals, and before he could be rescued
was literally torn to pieces in the sight of the
terrified spectators
SOME LITTLE LADIES.
Among modern dwarfs Mrs Louisa Shep-
pard, who died in New York some years ago,
was one of the most dininutive and interest
ing She had been on exhibition in this coun-
try about ten years, under the name of
"Lulu" At the time of her death, from
pneumonia, she was q years of age AL
though but 81 inches high and weighing but
80 pounds, her form was exquisitely proper
toned, and she appeared perfect woman in
miniature Her mental powers were good,
and she was lively, interesting converse
tionalist. Unlike many dwarfs, she was
never known to be irritable or querulous.
Her husband was a man nearly feet in
height and of corresponding weight. She
was born in Keyport, N. Y, where her
family had lived for many years, her maiden
name being Van Pelt. Dollie Dutton was an
other little woman, and at one time the most
noted of American dwarfs. She was born in
Natick, Mass, in 1855, and at the time of her
birth weighed only 211a pounds. She was ex-
hibited in tent in the Public garden, Bos-
ton, when but months old. and was subse-
quently shown throughout the United States
and Canada. In New England, particularly,
she was great favorite. At IS years of age
her weight was only IL pounds In 1875 she
was married, and had one child, which died
in infancy. Owing to domestic troubles she
became insane, and died about seven years
ago-a sad fate for one of the most charming
little ladies on record.-St. Louis Globe
Democrat.
Praise in Slang.
The use of slang is increasing to such an ex-