Clever Cripples.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume III, Issue 189, 26 July 1913, Page 4 (Supplement)

Clever Cripples.

Talleyrand. the notorious French statesman, friend of Napoleon, and Ambassador at the English Court, was designed for a military career; but an accident, when one year old, rendered him a cripple for life. His cunning cleverness, political penetration, adroit intrigues, and ingenious subterfuges were vehemently opposed by the Emperor’s wife, Josephine, who energetically denounced him as a “cursed cripple.” Josiah Wedgwood, the famous potter and scientist, suffered from a disease of the right knee which necessitated the amputation of the limb. Referring to this infirmity, Mr. Gladstone once declared, “It sent his mind inwards; it drove him to meditate upon the laws and secrets of his art. The result was that he arrived at a perception and grasp of them which might, perhaps, have been envied by an Athenian potter.’’ The early years of John Flaxman, who designed the choicest specimens of Wedgwood ware, were spent behind his father’s shop-counter, propped up by pillows, and amusing himself by drawing and reading. It was long before he could walk, and he onlylearned to do so by hobbling along on crutches.

Alexander Pope, the poet, is said to have inherited nothing r-om his father save his physical deformity, and nothing from his mother except her violent headache. Little more than 4ft. in height, his bodily infirmities rendered his life one long disease, yet he laboured incessantly and received £5.320 for his translation of the “Iliad.”

Airs. Browning, tha distinguished poetess, was of a delicate constitution and never enjoyed robust health. Her sufferings were due to an accident which took place in her sixteenth year. She was ore day trying to saddle her pony in a field when she fell with the saddle upon her, incurring an injury io her spine. Tho after-effects were so serious that for years she had to recline on her back. Both Lord Byron and Sir Walter Scott were lame. Sir Walter’s lameness was caused by a kick from a horse, when acting as quartermaster of the Edinburgh Light Cavalry.

Sir William Thomson, who became Lord Kelvin, was a cripple, end so was Dr. James Afar Gregor. one of the greatest of Scottish preach' rs.