ASTONISHING PEOPLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 November 1940, Page 6

ASTONISHING PEOPLE

WHEN THE PIE WAS OPENED. When Charles the First and his French queen were being entertained in Rutland, their host and hostess—the first Duke of Buckingham and his wife -declared they had a surprise course at dinner. To the tabic came a savoury looking pie, and when it was opened out came a boy of nine or ten. He was not then 18 inches high, though perfectly proportioned, the most engaging little dwarf you ever saw, a merry follow with a quick wit and charming ways. Born in 1619, this little fellow was Sir Jeffrey Hudson, a butcher’s son. For all his smallness of stature, ho had a thrilling life. A court favourite, he hobnobbed with dukes and earls, was captuicd by a Flemish pirate, losing. it is said, over £2000; and was with the Price of Orange at the sie CT e of Breda in 1637. In the Civil War he is said to have neon a captain of horse: and when the queen had to run away to Pendennis Castle in 1644. loyal Jeffery went with her. afterwards going on to Paris. A bold, brave heart had Jeffery, and though he never stood much more than a yard high, he had adventures enough lor a giant. Captured by a Turkish rover he was carried off to Barbarv and sold as a slave. Insulted by a fullsized fellow in France, he challenged h™ fo a duel and shot his opponent cteaa. Suspected of being a Roman Catholic. he was imprisoned in the Gatehouse at Westminster. He died in 1682. His waistcoat, breeches, arid stockings may be seen in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford.