ENGLISH MAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 501, 18 August 1871, Page 3

ENGLISH MAIL.

NOVEL IMPOSTS ?3<>M AHEEIOA. On Maj 22, a remarkable parij aye are coption at Willis's Rooms to a select compn^/ consisting of some of the most eminent members of the medical profession and a few

representatives of the press. After the company had waited for sorr.o time, the party who had invited them entered the room, and proved to consist of three or four individuals, for opinions differed as to the correct number. First came Miss Anna H. Swan, the American giantess, who is 7 feet in height, and is stated to weigh 413 lbs. She leaned on the arm of Captain Monten Van Buren Bates, formerly of the Confederate array, in whose ranks he had fought in Bix engagements, and had won successively his commissions as lieutenant and captain. The captain stands about seven feet in height, and his " fighting weight" is 478 lbs. He is twenty-three years of age, and is from the fertile State of Kentucky. In a hand-to-hsnd encounter he must have been a formidable foe, though how so large a mark escaped the bullets flying in the six engage' ments must remain a mystery. Following this great pair came the smaller body, or bodies, which formed the greatest marvel of the party. It appears that the custom is to speak of it in the singular number, but, as before observed, the number seems to be a question open for discussion. Its appearance is that of two young ladies placed back to back, and closely strapped together round their waists. Two heads, four arms, and four legs are to be seen Noving in mysterious union. This wonderful phenomenon was born in North Carolina about nineteen years ago, of slave parents (mulattos), and the proprietor at once took the double child into his own house, where every care was bestowed on it, and where Millie Christine, as she is called, received in due time a good education. The two heads sing together or separately, and in tunes which are clearly distinguisable the one from the other. They can also sustain conversations together or separately, as was abundantly proved by their visitors. The feet also move in unison, and Miss Millie Christine can walk on two legs, if so minded, but usually employs the four; if one foot or leg be touched, this will be known at once by both heads, but such is not the case with regard to the arms, shoulders, or any part above the point of union, which is at the loins. Here the two spinul cords unite into one, and although the development is dual above this place, there being two hearts, two pair of lungs, and two stomachs, below the waist thero is but one set of organs. The double spine terminates in one pelvis, whioh is formed with double sockets for the lower limbs. One pair of lower limbs and one pair of arms are perceptibly more robust than the others, but there is very little difference in any respect between the two portions of this double body. Each face has a decided individuality in its aspect, and it is stated that the two brains give at tines evidence of different shades of opinion. Indeed, it is said that when under eight years of uge one head has shown a wish to move the body in a direction opposite to that desired by the other ; but no opposition of will has been shown since about that period of life. Both bodies eat, drink, or sleep at the same time, and each evinces a cheerful, and, it is said, a happy disposition. The fullest opportunity was afforded to the medical gentlemen present of satisfying themselves as to this remarkable phenomenon, and Miss Millie Christine obliged the company by singing songs and duets, and by dancing, showing clearly that there was no want ef full powers either in her limbs or her voice. Although she speiiks of herself in the singular number, and is so spoken of by all those about her, it appears somewhat difficult to think of her otherwise than as two individuals. Captain Bates and Miss Swan were married on the 21st June, the two-headed girl being present at the ceremony.