The mystery and lore of monsters : with accounts of some giants, dwarfs and prodigies / by C.J.S. Thompson.

  • Charles Thompson
Date:
1930
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The mystery and lore of monsters : with accounts of some giants, dwarfs and prodigies / by C.J.S. Thompson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    285/332 page 217
    THE COUNT BORUWLASKI AND OTHER COURT DWARFS Few dwarfs who achieved fame had a more interesting career than Joseph Boruwlaski, the Polish dwarf, who later became known as “Count Boruwlaski5’. He was born near Chaliez in Polish Russia in November 1739, and although of humble parentage, he had the good fortune to obtain the patronage of several ladies of influence and wealth, who brought him into prominence. He was one of a family of six, all of whom were normal but three, his brother, a sister and himself. The sister, who was seven years younger than Joseph, was so short that she could stand under his arm and is said to have been a “model of symmetry and beauty”. At the age of twenty, she was 2 feet 4 inches in height and perfectly formed, but was attacked with smallpox and died after two days’ illness. The Starostin de Caorlix, who afterwards became the Countess de Tarnow, became interested in Joseph and wished to look after him, but it was some time before his mother would consent to the proposal. On the marriage of the Starostin, her friend, the Countess Humiecka, wished to take charge of Joseph, and she took him with her to her estate at Rychty in Podolia, where he remained for some years. At the age of fifteen, he had grown to the height of 25 inches, and the Countess took him with her to Vienna, where he was presented to the Empress Maria Theresa. The Empress became very attached to the little dwarf, and a story is told, that on one occasion, taking him on her knee, she asked him what he thought was most curious and interesting at Vienna. Joseph replied, that of the most wonderful things he had seen, nothing seemed so extraordinary as that which he then beheld. “And what is that?” asked the Empress.
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