In recent years several dwarfs have commanded the popular
attention, but none so much as "General Tom Thumb," the
celebrated dwarf of Barnum's Circus. Charles Stratton, surnamed
"Tom Thumb," was born at Bridgeport, Conn., on January 11, 1832;
he was above the normal weight of the new-born. He ceased growing
at about five months, when his height was less than 21 inches.
Barnum, hearing of this phenomenon in his city, engaged him, and
he was shown all over the world under his assumed name. He was
presented to Queen Victoria in 1844, and in the following year he
was received by the Royal Family in France. His success was
wonderful, and even the most conservative journals described and
commented on him. He gave concerts, in which he sang in a nasal
voice; but his "drawing feat" was embracing the women who visited
him. It is said that in England alone he kissed a million
females; he prided himself on his success in this function,
although his features were anything but inviting. After he had
received numerous presents and had amassed a large fortune he
returned to America in 1864, bringing with him three other
dwarfs, the "Sisters Warren" and "Commodore Nutt." He married one
of the Warrens, and by her had one child, Minnie, who died some
months after birth of cerebral congestion.
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