Star. — 1826-11-14 (London, England)

PLYMOUTH, OCT. 11.  Amongst the shows, as they are termed, which have been exhibiting during the present fair, in oar Marketplace, was one which contained, it was said, by the owner, (who states his name to be James Sanger, of Tisbury, Wilts,) two native Esquimau x. Several officers were dispatched on Tuesday morning with orders to bring the keeper, Sanger, and his two Indians, to the Guildhall. Accordingly, about twelve o'clock, the officers arrived with their charge, and, on examination, it turned out that these said Esquimau: were nothing more than two children, a boy and a girl, aged, apparently, the boy about ten years, and the girl 12. They were dressed in skins, and had caps on their beads formed of shells. On being questioned, Sanger said that he received them from a master of a vessel at Liverpool, about two months since, and that he was to return them next Spring. Dressed meat was offered them, but they refused to partake of it, turning their heads from it in disgust. After some time they were ordered to be taken to the workhouse, where, by permission of the Governor, they were clothed in the attire of the house, and the man in whose possession they had been was permitted to depart. On the following day we visited the workhouse, where the little strangers were objects of much curiosity, a great number of the most respectable persons in the town being present. They were then neatly clothed, and had been carefully washed. Dressed meat, fruit, and sweetmeats, were offered them, but they refused it all ; but when several pieces of raw beef were held out to them, they seized them with great avidity, and devoured them in a short time. On the following day, after a- little difficulty, they partook of rice milk, sweetened with sugar, though on the first evening they 1 refused rice until the nurse had mixed oil with it—food which Sanger said they would eat. On Thursday they partook of milk and bread, and ate it with a spoon; and the nurse says that she has no doubt but that in a day or two their aversion to dressed meat will be got over. The most singular part is, that neither of them yet has been heard to utter sounds, or to make the least attempt to speak in any language: they have been left alone, and watched, but still they were silent. It is conjectured that they are foreign children, but from what part is at present Unknown, though it is certain they are not E quimaux.. They are rather of dark complexion, black coarse hair, with full lips; the boy possesses the mo t pleasant. features; they still remain objects of cu. riosity.. Several pounds have been presented by persons visiting them, for- the purpose of providing clothes, &c. They would, while with Sanger, take a rabbit or fowl, separate it while alive, and devour it immediately, almost while life was in the animal. The poor children must have been brought to the custom of devouring raw meat for the purpose of deception. Thursday evening, while the nurse was endeavouring to compose them in bid, the girl spoke for the first time in good English, and appeared all at once to be very communicative. The account she gives of the circumstances is as follows : Her father was a half black (a mulatto), her mother an English woman ; they were placed under the care of their aunt, who resided in the parish of Whitechapel, in London, where they were born. This aunt had sold them to Sanger for 85,. about Christmas last, since which they had not seen either of their unnatural parents or aunt. Sanger had used them with cruelty, often beating them over the neck with a stick ; they had not been in bed since they were in the man's possession, being kept in an upright posture night and day. They were kept from every kind of food except raw meat, and taught to snap at and devour what was offered to them with avidity. The man had told them that if they uttered a word they should be murdered; and if any one touched them they were to bite, and appear angry. She said her name was Eliza Thompson, and her brother was called Edward ; that she was ten years old, her brother seven.—The child gave vs these particulars, and appeared very intelligent for her years. The man has decamped, but officers are sent in search of him, and his caravan has been detained.