THE FRIESLAND PHENOMENON.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 1, Issue 19, 13 September 1849, Page 4

THE FRIESLAND PHENOMENON.

A most minute specimeu of humanity, having the above title, is exhibiting in London, at the Cosmorama Rooms, 209, Regent-street. We were favoured with a private view of the interesting little stranger, and were much pleased with our visit, for we found that thu celebrity which Jan Uannemal—the real name of the dwarf—had obtained in Holland, where he l;ad been exhibited under the cognomen of Admiral Van Tronip, was not un- ' deserved. It appears that Jan was born in Apiil, 1839, at Francker, in Friesland, in' (lie : kingdom of Holland. At the time of his 1 birth he presented the ordinary appearance of a healthy, well-proportioned child, and con- 1 tinned to progress in strength until he reached 1 his sixth month, from which time to the pre- 1 sent he has only increased four pounds in ' weight. At the time of his birth he weighed 1 nine pounds ; when six mouilis old he weighed : twelve pounds, and at the present moment his j weight is only sixteen pounds. He has not grown in height since he was five years old, 1 and he now measures twenty-eight inches. I His appearance is far from being unprepos- : sessing, being perfectly well made and well proportioned. His head, as is tlip case of almost every dwarf, is rather large; but this is required to account for his maturity of intellect. llis fac_ is round, and has regular features, indicating a degree uf maturity much beyond his years. His complexion and hair are light, his ayes dark blue, and his general aspect what would be expected in a miniature Dutchman. He seems an intelligent little creutuie. He can write his own name, converse on simple subjects, and possesses a good knowledge of what he has seen and what he is told, which latter quality was proved by his recounting, with grent quickness, the various places through which he passed in his journey between Holland and London. His ignorance of the Knglish language is a drawback upon his conversational powers; but when replying to the questions put to him by a Dutch interpreter, his answers ate quick, and indicate considerable mental activity. Jan was introduced to the gentlemen invited to the private view in a large pie a la Sir Jellery Hudson, the famous English dwarf, who in that form was presented to the Queen of Charles the First, by the Duchess of Buckingham. Upon biing taken out, he appeared iii the dress of a Dutch burgomaster, and in this'character he strutted his liny stage wiih all the gravity of ihe worthy personage whom lie represented. It did not, however, seem to be beneath his dignity to unbend, and accordingly, at the request of the gentleman by whom lie is exhibited, he weat through a waltz with great exaglness and no little grace. He then retired, and in a moment or two appeared on the scene again in the dress of an admiral. He marched about, drew his BWord, and went through sundry evolutions quite in keeping with the naval position which he had assumed. He next appeared as a banister, with tlie usual forensic appendages of wig and gown. He looked the character very well,

and created uo little mirth by his mimic efforts to show forth as a luminary of the law. He presented a snuff-box to the visitors, took a pinch himself, shook hands with every one, and seemed, upon the whole, not only an intelligent, but most agreeable little fellow. The notoriety which he obtained in Holland induced the King to express a desire to see him. He was thereupon taken to the Court, where ha was graciously received, the Queen being so much pleased with him, aa to condescend to take him on her knee and pay him several compliments. In consideration of his miniature siae the King grunted him a pension, which he still enjoys. Jan has since been presented to Her Majesty Queen Victoria.—London Paper.