A RACE OF LITTLE MEN.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12021, 21 March 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

A RACE OF LITTLE MEN.

Dwarfs "Were Once a Source of Much Amusement. (Boston Herald.) Dwarfs have figured in the mythology and the history of all countries. They first appeared in Eastern courts and among Eastern kings and emperors as a source of diversion and amusement, and afterward were accepted by the Roman emperors, and it became a prevailing fashion for the.rich and the great everywhere to keep dwarfs dressed in fantastic and sometimes very costly attire, about their houses. Marc Antony had a number at his court, and the Emperor Augustus took special pains to have them brought from all parts of the world, and paid enormous prices for those who were perfect and beautiful in form and face. Historians tell us that Augustus would listen to their prattle for hours, and would play games with them for nuts. The daughter of Augustus, Juli, had a dwarf in attendance upon her, who was only two feet high, full of wit and skilled in music, by the name of Conopas. Tiberius kept dwarfs, and, as might be expected, used them cruelly. Domitian, whom a fly could entertain, would spend a whole morning laughing at the antics of his dwarfs, and kept a band of dwarf gladiators. Agrippina, empress of Rome, had a dwarf at her court whom she dressed in very costly apparel. His shirt was of silver cloth, descending to his knees, and fastened by a belt set with superb jewels, the clasp being a large diamond. Over this he wore a Persian scarf of great value, a blue ground ornamented with rich embroidery. At his side hung a small poiguard with a jewelled hilt, and a handsome turban crowned his golden locks, which hung in loose ringlets to his waist.

FAVOURITE OF CHARLES V. Among the paintings in the famous Louvre at Paris is one ■which represents a favourite dwarf of Charles V., of Spain. This dwarf, whose name was Corneille, is painted as a knight, -with his left hand resting on the back of a large dog. These little people have often manifested great affection for their patrons, and have had the courage even to run imminent risks, and encounter dangers to serve them. When King Christian fell into the hands of his enemy, Frederick 1., and was made a prisoner in the castle of Londeberg, his favourite dwarf was his companion. The door to his cell was walled up. The king proposed to the dwarf that he should counterfeit sickness, request removal from' the cell as necessary for his restoration to health, and escape from the Danish dominions to the court of the Electress. The dwarf carried out the instructions, escaped from Denmark, and -was about to make his way to the Electress, -when he was re-captured. He had exercised great skill and prudence in making his escape, but his royal master remained in captivity many years. A very amusing incident is told of a: dwarf who lived at the court of the Archduke Ferdinand. A giant by the name of Aymon constantly bantered the dwarf on his diminutive figure. The dwarf endured his insults until patience ceased to be a virtue, as he thought, arid seeking a private interview with the archduke, he asked him to drop one of his gloves at table and order Aymon to pick it up. The archduke, -willing to gratify him, did so. In the meantime, the dwarf had crept under the table, and when Aymon stooped to pick up the glove slapped the large man in the face with such a vigorous blow that the whole table full of company burst into roars of laughter. The dwarf Richard Gibson, was drawingmaster' to the Princesses Mary and Anne, who were afterwards queens of England. The dwarf was a pupil of the great Sir Peter Lely, and painted several historical paintings. Charles I. appointed him page 3d court, and he married Queen Henrietta Maria's court dwarf, named Anne Shepherd. King Charles gave away the bride, and the queen presented to her a magnificent diamond ring. WOBE LARGE MOUSTACHE. Not long after Charles I. had married, he and his queen—Henrietta Maria—were travelling through Rutlandshire, where they were entertained by the Duchess of Burleigh. This duchess wished to present a dwarf to their majesties t and did so, in a very unusual style. She had him armed and equipped and enclosed in a cold pie on the table. Of course the pie was very carefully cut, and to the amazement of everyone present, except those who were in the secret, out jumped the gift of the duchess—the dwarf Jeffrey Hudson, who was one of the most celebrated in history. King Charles took him to court, where the ladies made so much of him as to excite the jealousy of many of the servants, and poor Jeffrey was subjected to much teasing and insult. He was fond of a joke, and willingly entered into any scheme for amusement. It is told that Jeffrey was once dressed in the skin cf a cat named Rutterkin, which belonged to an old woman who invited some of her gossips to tea with her. As the cat was accustomed to sit at table with her, Jeffrey took the seat which the favourite occupied, and so complete was the deception that the old woman set a plate of bread and cheese before him, saying, "Have some oheese, Rutterkin," whereupon Jeffrey said, •' Rutterkin can help himself when he is hungry," and nimbly ran downstairs. The old women guests started up from their seats with the cry, "A witch! a witch! witii her talking cat!" and but for the explanation which at once took place, the old woman might have been brought into great trouble.

Jeffrey had, however, quite enough of misuaps. Once he was near being drowned in a, large basin while washing his face and hands, and again narrowly escaped being blown into the Thames by a strong wind. He was caught in a spreading shrub, to which he held, and thereby saved himself. He is said to have worn such a large and fierce looking moustache that it twisted back and mingled with his hair, which he wore quite long, so that he presented a singular appearance. He was not wanting in sense, and in 1630 was sent on a diplomatic mission to France. On his return from the French Court, from which he had engaged a woman servant and dancing master for Queen Henrietta Maria, he was taken prisoner by Dunkirk privateers. He lost many valuable presents which Marie de Medicis had sent to her daughter, the Queen. On a second expedition he was captured by the Turks, and sold as a. slave. He was, however, redeemed and returned to England, and during die civil wars was a captain of horse in tihe Royal Army. It was about this time that this busy little man a Mr Crofts, who had insulted, him, to fight a duel. Crofts accepted the challenge and came armed with a squirt and a bucket of water. This so enraged Jeffrey that he insisted that the duel should be fought on horseback, and at the Jiist fire he shot his antagonist dead.

COUNT BORTjWLASKI. I Count Boruwlaski, as he was called, was I one of the most famous dwarfs of history. j He was horn in Poland, but was carried to I Vienna and presented to the Empress Maria Theresa. The Empress was charmed with him, and, taking him upon her lap, caressed him and asked him what- he thought was the most curious thing in Vienna. He replied that he had seen many wonderful things in the city, but nothing so remarkable us that which he then beheld. •"And whit is that?" inquired the Em--1" L '-?; ■' Tu >ee so little a man on the lap of so great a. woman," replied the dwarf. The Empress wore a magnificent ring, and, as she held the dwarf's hand in hers, the dwarf gazed intently at the beautiful jewel, as slwj thought. "' Do you think the design of this ring pretty?" graciously asked Maria Theresa. " 1 was not looking'at tlie ling, but the hand, which I beg your - permission to kiss," answered Boruwlaski. A great deal of gallantry can find place j in a dwarf. His behaviour evidently pleas- J

Ed the great Empress, for she took the diamond ring from the hand of her little daughter, Marie Antoinette, who was standing at- her side, and put it on Boruwlaski's hand. This dwarf possessed many accomplish>ments. He spoke several languages fluently and was a skilful musician. After the death of Maria Theresa, he travelled extensively, giving concerts and making speeches. Once in his travels he met at Leeds, England, a very stout old lady, who was such an ultra-Protestant that'she believed no Romanist could get to Heaven. She had been greatly delighted with his performances, and asked him what religion he professed. heaven's bates narrow. "I am a Roman Catholic," answered Boruwlaski. "Then there is no hope of your going to Heaven," said the old lady. Boruwlaski looked at her broad amd bulky figure for some time, and then replied : "As the Scriptures, madam, declare the gate of Heaven to be very narrow, I hope! have a better chance than you have." A dwarf once wittily said that he could boast of two negative qualifications—he never wore a great coat, and never lay long in bed. It happened that a barrister was crossexamining a witness, and asked him what his profession was. The witness, who was a dwaa-f, replied that his profession was that of an attorney. "You an attorney? rudely exclaimed the barrister. " Why, I could put you in my pocket." , -i , , " Very probably," answered the dwarf, " and if you did, you would have more law in your pocket "than you have in your head." A dwarf named Ramus hold great learning and accompanied the English Ambassador to Vienna, where he made a speech in Latin concerning the rights of the King of Bohemia before his Imperial Majesty. The speaker showed so much eloquence and learning that the Emperor bestowed upon him a handsome medal.

Alexander the Great was a very short man and had in his court Philetas, a dwarf poet who, it is said, was so small that he carried pieces of lead in his pocket to prevent himself from being blown away by the wind. This same dwarf was made preceptor to Ptolemy philosophers. The celebrated Tom Thumb, jun., for years ago there was another of the same name, was one of the most renowned dwarfs, not for his learning or accomplishments, but for his extensive travel and the large fortune which he amassed. In Europe alone he is said to have made 750,000d01. In 1844 a carriage, suitable to his dimensions, was built for him in London. It was twenty inches high and eleven inches wide. The body was bright blue and the wheels were blue and red. It was decorated and cushioned in the richest style. On the door panels were emblazoned the goddess of liberty and Britannia!—the British lion and the American eagle. This carriage was drawn by a pair of Shetland ponies and two lads acted as driver and foreman. These wore liveries of sky blue, trimmed with silver, and cocked hats and wigs, and thus attended Tom Thumb paraded the streets of London.