TWO HEADS BETTER THAN ONE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 565, 12 March 1870, Page 3

TWO HEADS BETTER THAN ONE

The double-headed Dutchman has been outdone by the double-headed girls of New Orleans. The Picayune says:—,

We paid a visit recently to that most wonderful of Nature's freaks, the double-headed coloured girl, or perhaps it would be more correct to say, the two girls in one. For convenience, we shall speak of them in the plural. They are entirely distinct, 30 far a3 mind is concerned, laughing and chatting with each other, and being apparently upon the most intimate terms, and one may have a headache or a cold without the other being affected, but any fever, or other serious disease, affects both equally. Their bodies are separate from the small of the back up, each having a perfectly formed bust and head, two arms, &c, and each has two legs, but there is only one trunk. Both are remarkably intelligent, reading and writing with ease, while their manners are really refined. In quite a lengthy conversation, they did not make a single grammatical error. Upon questioning them as to their education, they replied that they had been carefully taught by their former mistress Mrs Smith, in Columbus, North Carolina, in which village they were born. They are now fifteen years old, and more than ordinarily bright for girls of their age, having had the advantage of foreign travel. They both sing very sweetly, one having a soprano and the other a contralto voice, and we have rarely heard two voices that blended so perfectly in a duett. Among their other accomplishments is that of dancing, and the manner in which they manage to execute a waltz is truly wonderful. When standing at- ease, the left foot of one and the right foot of the other do not lie flat upon the floor, but rest upon the toes. In walking, however, they step with all their feet alike, though they can hold up two feet and walk with perfect ease with the other two. In speaking of them as one they are called Millie- Chrisie, but in addressing them separately, one applies the distinctive appellation, she on the left being calling Millie, and she on the right Chrisie ; though Chrisie, in addressing her other half, calls her " Sister." There is a striking resemblance between their faces, and the conformation of their heads is much the same — Chrisie being perhaps a shade brighter than her sister, and r ither more talkative. Before seeing those strange girls we had fancied that we should experience a feeling of repulsion but the very first glance at their delightful faces dispelled that idea effectually.