The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-07-22

erick the Great stating that he was
eight feet three inches tall.
1t is the rule to vaunt the perfect
form Of the limbs of the modern giant,
but the fact is that this symmetry and
perfection of form is generally lacking
in giants that have been scientifically
examined. 1t is true they often have
tremendous appetites. The famous Ro-
man Emperor Maximinius, who was
almost eight feet tall and is said to
have overcome six Of the champions
OF the arena one after the other with
out taking a breath, used to empty the
Capitoline Amphora, holding twenty
hve quarts of wine, several times
day and ate forty to sixty pounds of
meat a day, besides other things
William Evans, giant doorkeeper of
Charles l of England, was so weak that
he had to be assisted TO arise after he
had laid himself on a bed
Patrick Cotter, the Irish giant. who
exhibited himself in London under the
name Of O'Brien in 1885, was very tall
but ill-shaped and far from strong
He is described by an acute observer
as looking like a great i'll child that
had grown too rapidly" He walked
with seeming difficulty and lacked in
telligence.
These examples might be infinitely
multiplied, but all to the same effect.
that giants are inactive slow In their
motions, avoid all work and are weak
in mind and body.
Samson of Biblical fame was certain
ly not brilliant when he allowed Delilah
TO wheedle out of him the secret of his
strength, especially after she had tied
him with the ropes he had broken.
Neither was Goliath a match for the
wise little David, who slew him with
stones from his sling, keeping out of
range of his spear and sword.
The fables of the contests between
the giants and the pygmies all point in
the same direction, for the huge, stupid
giants are always defeated.
Scientists, after studying the ques-
ton in its various aspects, have reached
the conclusion that almost invariably
physical abnormalities are accompanied
by mental deficiencies.
Giants are generally very weak mind
ed There is the old story of the court
OF Vienna amusing itself by setting the
dwarfs against the giants. to the dis
comfiture Of the latter. 1t is also Va
lated that in the court Of Archduke Fer
dinand of Austria a dwarf had become
weary Of the taunts of the pet giant,
who always made fun of his size. The
dwarf begged the master to drop one
OF his gloves and command Aymon, the
giant. TO pick IL UP. When the giant
stopped the dwarf gave him a good
slap on the cheek, at which the court
roared with laughter. The giant could
not support the shame and died of cha
grin not long afterward.
Cruelty, or something worse, is char
acteristic of many giants. Emperor
MaximiniuS. the Roman giant referred
to, became so odious on account of his
cruelties that he was assassinated in
the year 25s. Daniel, the giant door
keeper of Cromwell, had to be confined
in Bedlam on account OF his mystic ex-
altation and prophetomania Some are
given 10 alcoholism, others to stealing,
Indicative Of lack of mental stamina
Historical Information and anthropo-
logical studies of the human body and
harmony of the parts when normally
developed point to severer conclusions
as to the diverse malformations accom-
Danyirg giganticness.