“What was the very first circus act you had, Mr. Barnum?”

“Well I don’t think it is right to call what I did for the first thirty or so years, a circus. I employed acts and showed them to the public. I was a showman. And the acts tended in the beginning to be rare and unusual people.
 
"My first one, in 1835 was a remarkable negro woman, who was confidently believed to be one hundred and sixty-one years old and to have been the nurse of Washington. Mr. Bartram who was selling her, showed me a copy of an advertisement in The Pennsylvania Inquirer for July 15, 1835, as follows:

"CURIOSITY.--The citizens of Philadelphia and its vicinity have an opportunity of witnessing at the Masonic Hall one of the greatest natural curiosities ever witnessed, viz.: JOICE HETH, a negress, aged 161 years, who formerly belonged to the father of General Washington. She has been a member of the Baptist Church one hundred and sixteen years, and can rehearse many hymns, and sing them according to former custom. She was born near the old Potomac River in Virginia, and has for ninety or one hundred years lived in Paris, Kentucky, with the Bowling family.

"Joice Heth," he said, "was certainly a remarkable curiosity, and she looked as if she might have been far older than her age as advertised. She was apparently in good health and spirits, but from age or disease, or both, was unable to change her position; she could move one arm at will, but her lower limbs could not be straightened; her left arm lay across her breast and she could not remove it; the fingers of her left hand were drawn down so as nearly to close it, and were fixed; the nails on that hand were almost four inches long and extended above her wrist; the nails on her large toes had grown to the thickness of a quarter of an inch; her head was covered with a thick bush of grey hair; but she was toothless and totally blind, and her eyes had sunk so deeply in the sockets as to have disappeared altogether.

"Nevertheless she was pert and sociable, and would talk as long as people would converse with her. She was quite garrulous about her protege, 'dear little George,' at whose birth she declared she was present, having been at the time a slave of Elizabeth Atwood, a half-sister of Augustine Washington, the father of George Washington. As nurse she put the first clothes on the infant, and she claimed to have 'raised him.' She professed to be a member of the Baptist Church, talking much in her way on religious subjects, and she sang a variety of ancient hymns.

“I bought her for $1000 and so I sold out my interest in the grocery business to my partner, and entered upon my career as a showman. I knew it would only work with publicity so my next steps were resorting to posters, transparencies, advertisements, newspaper paragraphs, and everything else calculated to attract the attention of the public, regardless of expense.

"I exhibited in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Albany, and many other places, where my rooms were thronged and much money made. But in the following February Joice Heth died of old age, and was buried at Bethel. A postmortem examination was made by a surgeon and some medical students, who were inclined to doubt if she really was as old as Lindsay had said. I always felt a bit guilty about how I possibly had misled the public about her age.

“After that I got some stilt walkers, and some singers and dancers, and then my famous midgets. The most popular exhibits were the freaks - but I don’t mean that in a negatives sense. They were just different from how God made most people. There were Siamese twins, joined at the hip, (both got married to different ladies)  and a lady with a beard, and a man with tatooes all over his body. There was the tallest woman in the world, and so on.

"After a few years and having made lots of money, I opened a Museum in New York, and had that going all year round, but also had some of my Acts touring the country. But it wasn’t until 1871 that I started having what you might call a circus - with a big top and two rings and the trained animal acts.”
 

“Did you do your show for any really famous people?” Cora Sue asked Mr. Barnum.

“How about Queen Victoria? Is that famous enough for you?”

“Did you go to Buckinham Palace?” 

“Well, little Cora Sue, let me tell you all about it. But first I must tell you abour my most successful exhibit - General Tom Thumb.

“It was in November, 1842. and I was at home, here in Bridgeport, when I  heard that there belonged in one of the families of the place a phenomenally small child, so I got my brother Philo to bring the little fellow to my hotel. He was not two feet high; he weighed less than sixteen pounds, and was the smallest child I ever saw that could walk alone; he was a perfectly formed bright-eyed little fellow, with light hair and ruddy cheeks, and he enjoyed the best of health.

"He was exceedingly bashful, but after some coaxing, he was induced to talk with me, and he told me that he was the son of Sherwood E. Stratton, and that his own name was Charles S. Stratton. After seeing him and talking with him, I at once determined to secure his services from his parents and to exhibit him in public. I engaged him for four weeks, at three dollars a week, with all traveling and boarding charges for himself and his mother at my expense. 

"On December 8th, 1842, and I announced the dwarf on my Museum bills as 'General Tom Thumb.' I took the greatest pains to educate and train the diminutive prodigy, devoting many hours to the task by day and by night, and I was very successful, for the boy was an apt pupil, with a great deal of native talent, and a keen sense of the ludicrous. I afterward re-engaged him for one year, at seven dollars a week with a gratuity of fifty dollars at the end of the engagement, and the privilege of exhibiting him anywhere in the United States, in which event his parents were to accompany him and I was to pay all traveling expenses.

"He speedily became a public favorite, and long before the year was out, I voluntarily increased his weekly salary to twenty-five dollars, and he fairly earned it. And the next year it went up to $50.

“But you need to know about our trip to London, so I can tell you about the Queen. It was Thursday, January 18th, 1844, we went on board the new and fine sailing ship "Yorkshire," with Captain D. G. Bailey, bound for Liverpool. The party included General Tom Thumb, his parents, his tutor, and Professor Guillaudeu, a French naturalist and me.

“We were met at Liverpool by a large crowd of sight-seers, who had been attracted thither by the fame of "Tom Thumb." The curiosity of the populace was not gratified, however, for I had the child smuggled ashore unseen, under his mother's shawl.

"My letters of introduction were to many excellent families, and I was induced to hire a hall and present the General to the public, for a short season in Liverpool. I had intended to proceed directly to London, and begin operations at headquarters, that is, in Buckingham Palace, if possible; but I had been advised that the royal family was in mourning for the death of Prince Albert's father, and would not permit the approach of any entertainments.

“Meanwhile, confidential letters from London informed me that Mr. Maddox, Manager of Princess's Theatre, was coming down to witness my exhibition, with a view to making an engagement. An interview resulted in an engagement of the General for three nights at Princess's Theatre. I was unwilling to contract for a longer period, and even this short engagement, though on liberal terms, was acceded to only as a means of advertisement. So soon, therefore, as I could bring my short, but highly successful, season in Liverpool to a close, we went to London.

“The first public appearance of Tom Thumb in London occurred soon after the arrival of the party there, and the spectators were delighted, the manager overjoyed, and I was pleased beyond measure. This brief engagement answered my purpose, in arousing public interest and curiosity.

“I then took a splendid mansion in Grafton Street, near Bond Street, in the fashionable and aristocratic West End of London. It was an audacious stroke for me to invade this select and exclusive region, but it was successful. In response to my invitations members of the nobility came eagerly flocking to the house to see the wonderful child. I showed myself as exclusive as any of them, for I gave orders to my servants that no callers were to be received who did not present cards of invitation.

"This procedure was entirely proper. I had not yet announced myself as a public showman. I was simply an American citizen visiting London, and it was incumbent upon me to maintain the dignity of my position! My servants, of course, exercised proper tact, and no offense was given, although many of the nobility and gentry, who drove to my door in carriages adorned with crests and coats of arms, were thus turned away.

“We were called on by the Hon. Edward Everett, the American minister to England. He promised that we should, if possible, be received by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

"A few evenings afterwards the Baroness Rothschild sent her carriage for us. We were received by a half a dozen servants, and were ushered up a broad flight of marble stairs to the drawing-room, where we met the Baroness and a party of twenty or more ladies and gentlemen. In this sumptuous mansion of the richest banker in the world, we spent about two hours, and when we took their leave a well-filled purse was quietly slipped into my hand.

“I engaged the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, and announced that Tom Thumb was to be seen there. The rush of visitors was tremendous. The aristocracy of London thronged the hall night after night, and a phenomenal success was assured. True, Everett had spoken of an audience with the Queen, but I had no idea that it would ever be granted. One day, however, I met Mr. Murray, Master of the Queen's Household, at Everett's at breakfast, and that gentleman asked me what were my plans for the future. I said that I expected presently to go to the Continent, but I would most gladly stay in London if I could get the favor of an audience with Her Majesty.

“Mr. Murray kindly offered his good offices in the case, and the next day one of the Life Guards, a tall, noble-looking fellow, bedecked as became his station, brought a note, conveying the Queen's invitation to General Tom Thumb and his guardian Mr. Barnum, to appear at Buckingham Palace on an evening specified. Special instructions were the same day orally given by Mr. Murray, by Her Majesty's command, to suffer the General to appear before her, as he would appear anywhere else, without any training in the use of the titles of royalty, as the Queen desired to see him act naturally and without restraint.

“Determined to make the most of the occasion, I put a placard on the door of the Egyptian Hall: "Closed this evening, General Tom Thumb being at Buckingham Palace by command of Her Majesty."

“When we arrived at the palace, a Lord-in-Waiting met us, and began "coaching" us on points of court etiquette. I was told that I must in no event speak directly to Her Majesty, but through the medium of the aforesaid Lord. I must also keep my face constantly turned toward the Queen, and so, in retiring from the royal presence, must walk backward. Having thus been instructed in the ways of royalty, the diminutive General and I were led to the presence of the Queen.
 

“We passed through a long corridor to a broad flight of marble steps, which led to the picture gallery, and there the Queen and Prince Albert, the Duchess of Kent, the Duke of Wellington, and others were awaiting our arrival. They were standing at the further end of the room when the doors were thrown open, and the General walked in, looking like a wax doll gifted with the power of locomotion. Surprise and pleasure were depicted on the countenances of the royal circle at beholding this remarkable specimen of humanity so much smaller than they had evidently expected to find him.

“The General advanced with a firm step, and, as he came within hailing distance, made a very graceful bow, and exclaimed, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen."

“A burst of laughter followed this salutation. The Queen then took him by the hand, led him about the gallery, and asked him many questions, the answers to which kept the party in an uninterrupted strain of merriment. The General familiarly informed the Queen that her picture gallery was "first-rate," and told her he should like to see the Prince of Wales. The Queen replied that the Prince had retired to rest, but that he should see him on some future occasion. The General then gave his songs, dances, and imitations, and after a conversation with Prince Albert, and all present, which continued for more than an hour, we were permitted to depart.

“But before this I had broken the instructions in etiquette which had been so carefully impressed upon me by the Lord-in-Waiting. When the Queen began asking me questions, I answered her, as she addressed me, through the lordly medium, as I had been told to do. That was inconvenient and irksome, however, and presently I addressed my reply directly to her. The Lord-in-Waiting was horror-struck, but the Queen did not appear to be displeased, for she instantly followed my example, and spoke thereafter directly to me.

"I felt," said Mr. Barnum. “entirely at ease in her presence, and could not avoid contrasting her sensible and amiable manners with the stiffness and formality of upstart gentility at home or abroad.

"The Queen was modestly attired in plain black, and wore no ornaments. Indeed, surrounded as she was by ladies arrayed in the highest style of magnificence, their dresses sparkling with diamonds, she was the last person whom a stranger would have pointed out in that circle as the Queen of England.

"The Lord-in-Waiting was perhaps mollified toward me when he saw me following his illustrious example in retiring from the royal presence. He was accustomed to the process, and therefore was able to keep somewhat ahead (or rather aback) of me, but even I stepped rather fast for the other member of the retiring party. We had a considerable distance to travel in that long gallery before reaching the door, and whenever the General found he was losing ground, he turned around and ran a few steps, then resumed his position of backing out, then turned around and ran, and so continued to alternate his methods of getting to the door, until the gallery fairly rang with the merriment of the royal spectators. It was really one of the richest scenes I ever saw; running, under the circumstances, was an offense sufficiently heinous to excite the indignation of the Queen's favorite poodle dog, and he vented his displeasure by barking so sharply as to startle the General from his propriety. He, however, recovered immediately, and with his little cane, commenced an attack on the poodle, and a funny fight ensued, which renewed and increased the merriment of the royal party.

"This was near the door of exit. We had scarcely passed into the ante-room, when one of the Queen's attendants came to us with the expressed hope of her Majesty that the General had sustained no damage, to which the Lord-in-Waiting playfully added, that in case of injury to so renowned a personage, he should fear a declaration of war by the United States!"

“We were then escorted about the Palace, and treated to refreshments. Before leaving I thought of the "Court Circular," in which the doings of the Royal Family were chronicled to the world. Would our reception by the Queen be mentioned in it? Certainly. Well, then, would it not be possible to secure something more than mere mention; some words of special commendation; a "free advertisement" in fact? He would try it!

"This notice of my visit to the Queen wonderfully increased the attraction of Gen. Tom Thumb, and compelled me to obtain a more commodious hall for my exhibition. I accordingly moved to a larger room in the same building.

“On our second visit to the Queen, we were received in what is called the Yellow Drawing Room, a magnificent apartment. It is on the north side of the gallery, and is entered from that apartment. It was hung with drapery of rich yellow satin damask, the couches, sofas, and chairs being covered with the same material. The vases, urns, and ornaments were all of the most exquisite workmanship. The room was panelled in gold, and the heavy cornices beautifully carved and gilt. The tables, pianos, etc., were mounted with gold, inlaid with pearl of various hues, and of the most elegant designs.

“We were ushered into this gorgeous drawing-room before the Queen and royal circle had left the dining-room, and, as they approached, the General bowed respectfully, and remarked to Her Majesty, "that he had seen her before," adding, "I think this is a prettier room than the picture gallery; that chandelier is very fine."

“The Queen smilingly took him by the hand, and said she hoped he was very well.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, "I am first-rate."

"General," continued the Queen, "this is the Prince of Wales."

"How are you, Prince?" said the General, shaking him by the hand, and then standing beside the Prince, he remarked, "The prince is taller than I am, but I feel as big as anybody," upon which he strutted up and down the room as proud as a peacock, amid shouts of laughter from all present.

The Queen then introduced the Princess Royal, and the General immediately led her to his elegant little sofa, which he took with him, and with much politeness sat down beside her. Then, rising from his seat, he went through his various performances, and the Queen handed him an elegant and costly souvenir, which had been expressly made for him by her order, for which, he told her, he was very much obliged, and would keep it as long as he lived.

“On our third visit to Buckingham Palace, Leopold, King of the Belgians, was also present. He was highly pleased, and asked a multitude of questions. Queen Victoria desired the General to sing a song, and asked him what song he preferred to sing.

"Yankee Doodle," was the prompt reply.
 

“This answer was as unexpected to me as it was to the royal party. When the merriment it occasioned had somewhat subsided, the Queen good-humoredly remarked, "That is a very pretty song, General, sing it, if you please." The General  complied, and soon afterward retired.

“The Queen sent me a handsome fee for each of his visits, but that was only a small part of the benefits which my acquaintance with her brought to me. Such was the force of Court example that it was now deemed unfashionable, almost disloyal, not to have seen Tom Thumb. Carriages of the nobility, fifty or sixty at a time, were to be seen at our door in Piccadilly. Egyptian Hall was crowded at every exhibition, and the net profits there were on the average more than $500 per day from March 20th to July 20th.

“Portraits of the tiny General were for sale everywhere, and were eagerly purchased by thousands. Musical compositions were dedicated to him, and songs were sung in his honor. Week after week he was the subject of Punch's wittiest cartoons; and of course all this was just so much free advertising. Besides his three public performances per day, the little General attended three or four private parties per week, for which we were paid eight to ten guineas each. Frequently he would visit two parties in the same evening, and the demand in that line was much greater than the supply.

"The Queen Dowager, Adelaide requested the General's attendance at Marlborough House one afternoon. He went in his court dress, consisting of a richly embroidered brown silk-velvet coat and short breeches, white satin vest with fancy colored embroidery, white silk stockings and pumps, wig, bagwig, cocked hat, and dress sword.

"Why, General," said the Queen Dowager, "I think you look very smart to-day."

"I guess I do," said the General, complacently.

“A large party of the nobility were present. The old Duke of Cambridge offered the little General a pinch of snuff, which he declined. The General sang his songs, performed his dances, and cracked his jokes, to the great amusement and delight of the distinguished circle of visitors.

"Dear little General," said the kind-hearted Queen, taking him upon her lap, "I see you have no watch. Will you permit me to present you with a watch and chain?"

"I would like them very much," replied the General, his eyes glistening with joy as he spoke.

"I will have them made expressly for you," responded the Queen Dowager; and at the same moment she called a friend and desired him to see that the proper order was executed. A few weeks thereafter they were called again to Marlborough House. A number of the children of the nobility were present, as well as some of their parents. After passing a few compliments with the General, Queen Adelaide presented him with a beautiful little gold watch, placing the chain around his neck with her own hands.

“This watch, also, served the purpose of an advertisement, and a good one, too. It was not only duly heralded, but was placed upon a pedestal in the hall of exhibition, together with the presents from Queen Victoria, and covered with a glass vase. These presents, to which were soon added an elegant gold snuff-box mounted with turquoise, presented by his grace the Duke of Devonshire, and many other costly gifts of the nobility and gentry, added to the attraction of the exhibition.

“The Duke of Wellington called frequently to see the little General at his public levees. The first time he called, the General was personating Napoleon Bonaparte, marching up and down the platform, and apparently taking snuff in deep meditation. He was dressed in the well-known uniform of the Emperor.

"I introduced him to the "Iron Duke," who inquired the subject of his meditations.

"I was thinking of the loss of the battle of Waterloo," was the little General's immediate reply. This display of wit was chronicled throughout the country, and was of itself worth thousands of pounds to the exhibition.
 

“Thus the London visit and the tour of England were successful beyond all anticipation, and it was with an overflowing purse that we set out with his charge for the French capital.”