An account of the life ... of Charles S. Stratton : the American in miniature, known as General Tom Thumb, 25 years old, 25 inches high, and weighing only 15 pounds. With some account of ... dwarfs / [Tom Thumb].

Thumb, Tom, 1838-1883.

Date:: 1845

Credit: An account of the life ... of Charles S. Stratton : the American in miniature, known as General Tom Thumb, 25 years old, 25 inches high, and weighing only 15 pounds. With some account of ... dwarfs / [Tom Thumb]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$Lines on Tom Thumb. \From the Somerset County Herald ] Charming sprite! bewitching creature, Unique in ev’ry form and feature, Your gentle tread we scarce can hear, And only see you when you’re near ; From Lilliput you must have come, You great, great wonder, little Thumb. Your fairy hands, with jewell’d rings, Indeed are “first-rate,” “spicy” things; The ladies like your “stamp receipt,” And all pronounce it very sweet. Your arch expression, roguish eye, Descriptive powers almost defy: Your attitudes, so well defin’d, The Grecian Statues bring to mind; And well, indeed, you personate Napoleon too, and imitate His taking snuff so wondrous well, We know not where you most excel, When pondering over Waterloo, Or when King George we see in you, Or Highland Chieftain, dress’d complete. With tartan hose and buckled feet; A claymore in your tiny hand, And brace of pistols in your band; But this I know—you’re excellent In ev’ry form you represent; Though most I like you in your own, For there, indeed, you stand alone; Unrivall’d in your little growth, To see you bigger all are loth ; You look so pretty as you are, From the new world a shining star, Attracting thousands to the sight, Who all express unfeigned delight. So pray remain in statu quo, In sense and goodness only grow, For they will make you truly great, Though to be little is your fate; But may your cares be little too, And so, dear little man, adieu. Taunton, Feb. 1845. A Lady Admirer.$