A MODERN ATLAS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XII, 21 March 1896, Page 326

A MODERN ATLAS.

Monsievk Caxos Beic. the ‘ Colossus ot a man whom all go to look at nowadays, is as long as he is broad. He measures six feet and three-quarters of an inch from the sole of his foot to the top of his bead and exactly as much across the chest from the right to the left arm pit. His upper thigh measures four feet and one inch around : his calves measure two feet and eleven inches, and his upper arm is one foot and eleven inches around. He weighs exactly yzolbs. and there is no deception possible. for all the figures quoted are from the city weigher's office, properly attested by signatures, sea’s, and Government stamps. Around the waist M. CanonBerg uses up seven feet four and a-half inches of the tape. The brasserie, in which he is financially interested. does a tremendous business al! day. but between the hours of one and eight o'clock at night it is hardly possible to secure a ‘ standup ’ not to say a seat, there. The big man occupies a specially-built platform at the rear of the establishment, the platform being constructed of solid beams, and supported underneath the floor by iron pillars. This was done by order of the police. He sits on two benches—one placed in front of the other. Every half hour he takes a constitutional and walks from the platform to the entrance door over a strip of carpet that covers a portion of the floor supported by pillars the same way as the platform. Canon-Berg rises slowly, supporting his weight by placing his hands firmly against the arms of the bench and at the same time, makings few jerking motions with the upper part of the body. Then he begins to set his feet down deliberately, one before the other. He does not look exactly as if he were going to topple over, but his tremb’ing. uncertain steps and the way his corposity quivers suggest a dire physical catastrophe. Meanwhile the audience is requested to keep to their seats, so that all may have ‘ a chance to observe the Colossus from the front and rear ’ as he goes up and down. He is 45 years old. has full black hair, somewhat sprinkled with grey, a black moustache, and kindly grey eyes He has never known a sick day in his life ; he is a very moderate eater and drinker ; his onlv small vice being an extraordinary love for tobacco. He sleeps well, and makes no complaints. Until a few months ago he acted as inspector of breweries in the Netherlands, having learned the trade in Germany. He was a strong, healthy, and corpulent boy and man. fond of athletics, swimming, and dancing. To reduce his weight he made a tour of Holland on foot, but meeting with an accident, had to return on a freight car. none of the passenger coaches having doors large enough to admit him. In this way he travelled to Paris. Only the Swiss passenger cars are roomy enough for the Colossus.