Every one knows that there are two kinds of dwarfs—those who are naturally dwarfs, and those who, as children, were at first of average size and growth, but whose development was abruptly checked. In their case the limbs which no longer grew, were yet capable of enlargement. As a rule the head is enormous. Monsieur François, from the Cirque Franconi—the partner of Billy Hayden the clown, the tiny circus rider—is a typical specimen of this class of dwarfs, who are called _noués_ to distinguish them from the perfect miniature of humanity. They are physically deformed, but in all other respects they resemble other men. François, for instance, is very intelligent. I shall always remember our first interview two years ago in Erminia Chelli’s box at the Cirque d’Eté. “How old are you, Monsieur François?” “Twenty.” “I am older than you are, M. François; yet, as you know, I am not celebrated.” [p061] M. François shook his head, and as a consolation—“you see not every one can be a dwarf”—he gravely answered: [Illustration] “Do not pity yourself, sir; you are distinguished for your learning.” Since then M. François has told me all about his present life. He lives at Villette with his mother, whom he supports. In the evening, as the distance is too great for his short legs, [p062] he goes out by the last omnibus, and even when the vehicle is full, he is charged for his place. “Yet I take so little room, sir!” M. François is a brave lad; and those who have seen him in his Cordovan boots, driving his team of six horses, know that he is an exceptionally good whip. It should though be noticed, that however deficient the _noués_ may be in size, they possess the same intelligence and sometimes the full strength of a man of normal height. In 1802 Germany possessed a clever painter named Jacob Lehnen, who was exactly 3 ft. 10 in. high; and I read in an English newspaper, the _Daily Advertiser_, dated 18th August, 1740, an announcement of the arrival at a London tavern, the _Great Glass_, of a Persian dwarf called the _Second Samson_, only 3 ft. 8 in., who carried two strong men at arm’s-length and danced between the tables with his double burden. [Illustration] These deformities are not attacked by the decrepitude which prevents their comrades from living beyond their [p063] twentieth or twenty-fifth year. There are historical instances of centenarian _noués_. [Illustration]