The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-06-09

through a circle formed by large num-
Der of persons, in the same manner that
the electrical phial does in the Ley1en
experiment; by his power it likewise kills
small fishes when put into the water with
it before it devours them. 1t has been
shown for some weeks past to many hun
dreds OF curious persons of ali denomina-
tons in the city of Philadelphia, and has
given great satisfaction; many ingenious
experiments have likewise been lately
made with it by a committee appointed
for that purpose by the Philosophical So
ciety."
Gratifying Spectacle.
The Tom Thumb Of the last century was
a queer little fellow known throughout
the country as the American Dwarf He
was exhibited to admlring throngs for
several years, and in January, 1885, when
he arrived in Philadelphia his presence
was heralded in the following elegant
manner:
Just arrived in Philadelphia. the fam
Gus American Dwarf. Those who delight
70 trace Nature in all her works, who
have curiosity to behold uncommon pro
duciions, are informed that the surpris-
ing little genius, Calvin Philips born in
Bridgewater, Mass, may be seen for
short space from nine in the morning TO
five in the afternoon in a private room
in the house of Mr.. Moor corner of
Fourth ard Chestnut streets, sign of the
Half Moon and Seven Stars This min
ia ure Of man is years of age, twenty
six inches high. weighs twelve pounds. is
active and manly. and allowed by every
one who has seen him to be the most
gratifying spectacle ever exhibited in the
United States. Those who have never
seen this little hero and with the highest
qualification, must improve the present
opportunity previous to his departure for
Europe, where such a phenomenon has
never appeared and they will be convinc-
ed that Swift must have seen him in
vision when he described The IntreDid
General of the Armies of Lilliput. The
parents of this remarkable child being in
INDECENT circumstances ii is hoped that
a generous public will more freely con-
tribute to his assistance Admittance for
grown persons % cents; children, half
price"
In III a female dwarf SO years cd and
twehty-two inches in stature was to be
seen in Boston at the Widow Bignells
house, next door to the Kings Head TaV
ern. She is willing 10 exhibit herself
as a shew," one newspaper informs its
readers, ITO such gentlemen and ladies
as are DESTROYS to crafty their curiosity
for one shilling lawful money from each
person"
Another human curiosity that attracted
wide attention in 1850 was a boy said 10
resemble negro in all respects but in
color He was as white as European,
with curly wool In 1916 the inhabitants
of Philadelphia were politely requested TO
view for a great apiece, an OK, weigh
ing 1872 pound. the first of that size ever
bred in this province at DaYid Sekill s.
at Spring Garden" The ingenious young
man who wrote the following attractive
advertisement for a New York paper in
1896 would have made his fortune at che
present day as a heatrical press agent.
Miss Newsham having for these six
months past been the admiration Of all
who have beheld her. proposes on Thurs
day afternoon next at Mr.. William Posts
in Viney street, TO afford her admirers
an opportunity of taking their last sur
vey Of her substantial personal qualities.
Mr. Posts is directly behind the Bulls
Head in the Bowery. To prevent mis-
taken notions, the public are respectful ly
informed that Miss Newsham is an Eng
Hsh COW, bred by Mr.. Robert Heaton, al
Newsham. in Yorkshire, and fatted by
him at Throeg's Neck, near Westchester.
Her beef will he exhibited in the Fly
Market on Saturday next"
These early amusements form an inter
esting chapter in the history of the life
and customs of our ancestors century
ago. With practically but one theater
in four or five of the leading towns. it
was only natural that anparen'ly trivial
objects of interest should tome ines at
tract attention.