The Sicilian Dwarf.
The Times, 1824-06-17T00:00:00

LFrom an evening paper.l When Mons. Fogell Crachami, the father of the above little personage, applied to Alr. Roe, the magistrate at Marlborough- street office, on Mlvonday last, it was for a warrant to appre- hend Gilligam, the person. to whom the unfortunate little crea- ture had been intrusted, by which means it was supposed that the destiny of the child wonld be come at. However, Mir. Ree did not consider himself justified in granting his warrant; and re- commended Mons. Crachami to make inquiries of the paro- chitl officers of St. James's, and in all probability it might lead to a discovery of the infant. He immediately acted upon the worthv Mlagistrate's suggestion, and communicated with the gentle- mecH of tht parich upon the subject, but could learn notbing satisfac- tory of the child. The parochiaL officers of course could know no- thing, unless notice of the death of Aliss CrAchermi had been forwarded to - them by Gilligan, nipoh' which a Coroner's in- quiry would have been called. The unhappy father next went to the house of Alr. Dorlan, thel tailor, in Duke-street, St. James's, where Gilligan occupied a splendid suit of apartments; he wasaccompanied by his wife, and her brether, a Mr. King an actor belonging to the Dublin Theatre; Mr. Dorlan informed iAim that they left on Alonday se'nnight, anld that lie could give him no tid- ings of their destination. All that they left behind was the little state-bed of the cliild, and its habit, which he (Mlr. Dorlan) had manufactured for it, to be presented to the King. From thence M1ons. Crachami went to-Mr. Brooks at Blenheim-steps, and there ascertained that Gilliganhadofferedthelbodyof thelittle creature ts him at the price of 100 guineas! but that the negotiation did not take place. The poor fellow, in a state of distraction, next repairedl to other private places of anatomy, and met with the same success; he also went to the difFerent public hospitals, where he was shown all the subjects, but could not identify the body of his tiny offipring. He was now so overwhelmed with grief that he burst into tears, and again returned to Alr. DorlaW's, i Duke-s.treet, who toolK an active fiart in endeavouring to find out the little creature; and, from some circumstances, he advised iMI. Crachami to wait upon Sir Bverard Home, at his house in Sackville-street. Thither he went, anj saw Sfr Everard. Of course they were strangers to each othe.- Sir Everard, on seeing him, said "Oh, you have come from Gilligan about the dwarf. The surgeons have not yet held a meeting; ther^- fore I can't say what sum wiU be voted to him." The feelings of the unhappy father upon this salute may be more easily conceived than described, and in a flood of tears be told Sir Everard that he was the father of the little creature. Sir Evcrard was asto. nished at this, intelligence, but ultimately an explanation took place. It appears that on Mitondav se'nnighlt Gigigan, who was known to Sir Everard through vihose influence the prodigy had been presented to the liing, caUed at his house in SackAille-street, witl the body of the child, and expressed a wish to dispose of it. SirEverardrefusedtopurchaseit, butsaidhe would p-resent itto the College of Surgeons, and whatever reward they thought proper to vote hinm should be given him. Gilligan agreed to this, and left the child, saying that he was going out of town, but would send a friend in a few days for the gratuity. He then went away, and when poor Crachami entered the room, Sir Everard considered he was the man that had been sont by Gilligan, which led to Sir Everard's men- tioning thename of the child. The Doer father implored Sir Everard to grant him a look at his beloved infant, and that heshould then leave this world happy. Sir Everard instantly complied, and gave him an order to see it at the College of Surgeons. in Lincoln's-inn-fields, and presen ted hin wis a check en his banker for 101., at tie same time promising to represent the unfortunate business to His Majesty. Moos. Crachami, in a state bordering on insanity, hasteued to Sur- geona'-Hail, where he arrived almost breathless, tbinking he might prevent his child from being anatomiscL. But alas! it was too late. He was shown into a room wherein the first thing that caught his view was the body of his darling progeny. He clasped the corpse in his arms in a manner that exdted the feelings of all present, and it was with difficulty he could be prevailed upon to leave the room, which, however, he did, upon the gentlemen promising him .Ehatnothing furtler iould be done to the infant. Il. Crachami left London immediately by the Liverpool coach for Ireland, to com. municate the dreadful intelligence to his wife. THE SICILIA.NLJ DWAUlF.