New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-08

HANGED by the al pearance before the public Of
twenty 10 thirty outside iatte, whose aspect \
SO wretched and ptiful that they are reaping
a truly golden harvest. These unfortunate Grip
piles whose shrivelled legs are curled up on the
boards on which they Sit and who go about pro-
peng themselves by the aid Of their hands, Ne
mind one of the horrors which used to be seen In
the Cour des Miracles Of bygone years. In Spain,
and more especially in the ncighborhood Of
Tolosa, there are number Of inhuman monsters
called bccgar-farmers, whose noble and philAp
thropic avocation 10 is to 1rnufacture the cub
de latte who are met so frequently in France
Italy, and even Belgium. Whenever there is a
weakly boy or girl born in the families Of the
peasants in the above mentioned districts the
beggar- farmer" persuades the parents to hire the
infant to him at so much per diem When once
they have obtained the child they begin the heart
less and cruel operations which end in making
Guide jatte of the little creature thus confded
to their care. The weak pliable legs OF the
subject are tightly compressed and twisted with
unyielding bandages which SO effectually prevent
the circulation of the blood that little by little
the lower limbs wither away, and become cured
and useless in orthodox cul-de-jatte fashion.
In 1887 NJ Waldeck-Ro then Minister
of the Interior, prohibited the introduction of
decree soon became dead-letter and this year
more than 400 Of these miserable cripples have
crossed the frontier The "beggar-farmers' pay
the parents or relatives Of the poor wrctches 10
to 90 cents day for their hire. Twenty cents
however, is only paid-being large sum in those
dstrcts-when the cuLde-lattc's personal attrac-
tions are augmented by some other infirmity such
as blindness, missing arm, or some very apparent
and bideous skin disease The mouths of the
traders in human misery" positively water when
they encounter 80 favorable specimen, for they
are fully aware that he can be turned into per.
feet mine Of profit if properly managed, and they
pounce upon their victims with an ardor worthy
Of better cause.
One of the most amiable features in Pierre Lott
is d most intense love of animals. During all
his life he has been surrounded by host Of four
footed and fcathercd friends. Even on board his
frigatc he has had for his constant companions
Neptune" an English spaniel, and his West
African parrot, Fidex." There is an incident
which has not yet appeared in print and which
throws some light the best side of Pierre Lofts
character. While sojourning one summer in his
beloved Brittany Lofts dog, Neptune fell off
bridge into a deep canal, striking his head as he
fell against stone parapet Flinging of his coat,
Pierre Lott dived after him and fortunately sue
cecded in bringing the severely hurt and abso-
htely insensible animal 10 land Any one who
has read Lofts delicious little sketch. "vies do
dcux Chattes," the heroincs OF which are "Mou-
mute Blanche" and "Moumoutte Chinose,, can
hardly fail to realize how thoroughly the new
Academician understands animals, and how ex
quisltely he interprets their thoughts and de-
scribes their feelings and their humble lives.