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Sketch Of The Life, Personal Appearance, Character And Manners Of Charles S. Stratton, The Man In Miniature, Known As General Tom Thumb, And His Wife, Lavinia Warren Stratton; Including The History Of Their Courtship And Marriage, With Some Account Of Remarkable Dwarfs, Giants, & Other Human Phenomena, Of Ancient And Modern Times, And Songs Given At Their Public Levees

Creator: n/a
Date: 1863
Publisher: Press of Wynkoop & Hallenbeck, New York
Source: Robert Bogdan Collection
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 1  Figure 2  Figure 3  Figure 4  Figure 5  Figure 6  Figure 7  Figure 8  Figure 9  Figure 10  Figure 11  Figure 12

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BARNUM vs. QUEEN VICTORIA -- THE SHOWMAN VICTORIOUS

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The indefatigable Barnum, who in vain offered the miniature lady, Miss Lavinia Warren, a thousand dollars per week for public exhibition, it seems was determined not to give it up so. The little lady arrived at the Parker House Monday night. Barnum arrived at the Winthrop House Tuesday morning. It now appears that the showman came by the way of Middleboro', where he found the parents of Miss Warren, and induced them to accompany him to Boston. Having probably plied them with golden arguments, he called a family council yesterday (the little Queen, of course, presiding), and after a lenghty debate, which was resumed in the evening, the petite aspirant for the honors of foreign courts yielded, and forthwith a treaty was drawn and signed by the high contracting parties, by which it is stipulated that the sovereigns of America (the sovereign people) shall be permitted to attend the public levees of their citizen Queen, at such times and places for the space of three or four weeks, as Mr. Barnum shall provide. At the conclusion of this engagement, little Miss Warren will start for the Courts of Europe with a few extra thousands in her pocket. Barnum will, doubtless, exhibit her with Commodore Nutt, and it will indeed be a sight to behold "a fully developed lady and gentleman whose united weight is less than fifty pounds!" -- Boston Transcript

COURTSHIP.

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Miss WARREN left her pleasant home in the country, with the firm determination to visit Europe and gratify her inclination to travel. While in Boston she was introduced to Mr. STRATTON (General TOM THUMB), but the meeting was of short duration, and nothing transpired to indicate the course that love was taking, save the interchange of glances. The mother of Lavinia, who was present, looked upon Mr. STRATTON as a rival to her daughter, and made him the subject of criticism. She thought he was proud and aristocratic -- besides he was cultivating a moustache, which was very offensive to her. When the little "Queen of Beauty" arrived at the St. Nicholas Hotel, in New York, she was visited by the elite and literati of Gotham -- the newspapers gave graphic and truthful pictures of her charms and accomplishments, and among her many admirers was Mr. STRATTON, whose eyes had been entangled with hers at their first meeting in Boston.

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Whatever may have been her emotions, with true womanly secretiveness, she kept them to herself, saying little or nothing about the little beau, who was now completely smitten by her. When she made a contract with Mr. Barnum to appear before the public, Mr. S. found peculiar attractions at the Museum -- and turning his back upon Bridgeport and making the Museum his headquarters, he watched for opportunities to secure the society of Miss W. When she left the stage he was near by to conduct her gallantly to her apartment. No other person had a chance to escort her to her quarters, for her devoted lover was ever watchful and always present to perform that agreeable task.

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With a frankness which is commendable, Mr. STRATTON made an early avowal of his passion -- but his emotions needed no embodiment in language, for his eyes had already told the story of his love. Miss WARREN, who dislikes affectation, and who is as truthful as she is fascinating, did not discourage the attentions of her lover. She acknowledged that his society was very agreeable to her, and that his absence was to her a source of pain. Emboldened by the encouragement which he met in his career of courtship, he courageously, but courteously, "popped the question," to which Miss W. replied that she loved him, but could not agree to marry him without the consent of her parents -- and "you know," she added, archly, "that mother objects to your moustache." "I will cut that off and my ears also, if that will induce you to give an affirmative answer to my question." Little was said, but a great deal was understood, and no time was lost in ascertaining the opinion of the parents of Miss WARREN -- indeed, so anxious was Mr. STRATTON to know their decision, that he dispatched a messenger to Massachusetts, the next day, to find out the fate that awaited him in the future.

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At first it was announced that the wedding would take place on St. Valentine's Day -- the time when Cupid drives his team of white sparrows, and rides in a coach of lily leaves, shooting his arrows at all who are susceptible of the tender passion -- leaving dimples in the cheeks and chins of the victims who are pierced by his arrows -- but Mr. STRATTON did not like to delay the ceremony, although Mr. BARNUM exerted the utmost of his endeavors to have him postpone the tying of the nuptial knot as long as possible, since the "little woman" was a star of attraction that crowded the Museum day and night.

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In due time the messenger came, and the report was favorable. Had the report been adverse to their wishes, it would not have prevented the alliance, for the parties were of age, and competent, in every sense of that word, to act for themselves. Mr. STRATTON has an ample fortune, and the financiering skill and experience to take care of it. Miss WARREN, being of age, had a right to accept the hand and the heart of the gallant little General.

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