The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 401, November 28, 1829

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Various. The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 401, November 28, 1829

The Siamese Twins

CURTIUS

ETYMOLOGICAL CURIOSITIES

FINE ARTS

ADDITIONAL REMARKS ON THE SCHOOL OF PAINTING, AT THE BRITISH INSTITUTION

THE NOVELIST

ISABEL

NOTES OF A READER

MOLES

SCOTCH ALE

AMERICAN LAW

A CAT STORY

TURKS AND RUSSIANS

MR. PITT

ENGLISH AND FRENCH

ALI PACHA'S HEAD

THE GOUT

AMERICA

THE SELECTOR and LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS

EMIGRATION TO NEW SOUTH WALES

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS

THE CRUISE OF H.M. SHIP TORCH

THE GATHERER

SCRAPS

DODSLEY

MACKEREL

SPRATS AND WHITE BAIT

WHISKY

ANNUALS FOR 1830

LIMBIRD'S EDITIONS

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The Engraving is an accurate sketch of this extraordinary lusus naturae, which promises to occupy the attention of the whole Town, and has already excited no ordinary curiosity among all ranks of the scientific and sight-loving. Deviations from the usual forms of nature are almost universally offensive; but, in this case, neither the personal appearance of the boys, nor the explanation of the phenomenon by which they are united, is calculated to raise a single unpleasant emotion. The subject is, therefore, not unfit for our pages, and the following descriptive particulars, which we have collected from various authentic sources, and our own observation, will, we are persuaded, be read with considerable interest:

The earliest account of the Siamese Twins is by Dr. I.C. Warren, of Boston, and was published in Professor Silliman's Journal of October last. They were received of their mother by Captain Coffin and Mr. Hunter, in a village of Siam, where the last-mentioned gentleman saw them, fishing on the banks of the river. Their father has been some time dead, since which they lived with their mother in a state of poverty. They were confined within certain limits, by order of the Siamese Government, and supported themselves principally by taking fish. Their exhibition to the world was suggested to the mother as a means of bettering their condition; to which proposition she acceded for a liberal compensation, and the promised return of her sons at a specific time. She accompanied them on board the ship and, as it was not about to sail for some time, she was invited to remain on board; but she declined, observing that she might as well part with them then as a few days hence. They were first exhibited at Boston, and subsequently at New York, in the United States. At Boston, Dr. Warren was appointed to report on them; and such of his observations as are free from anatomical technicalities, and otherwise adapted for our pages, will be found in the subsequent pages. In the meantime, we shall proceed with a more popular account of their present appearance, which has some of the most interesting characteristics of human nature.

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"Besides this there is nothing remarkable felt in the connecting substance. I could distinguish no pulsating vessel. The whole of this cord is covered by the skin. It is remarkably strong, and has no great sensibility, for they allow themselves to be pulled by a rope fastened to it, without exhibiting uneasiness. On ship board, one of them sometimes climbed on the capstan of the vessel, the other following as well as he could, without complaining. When I first saw the boys, I expected to see them pull on this cord in different directions, as their attention was attracted by different objects. I soon perceived that this did not happen. The slightest impulse of one to move in any direction is immediately followed by the other; so that they appear to be influenced by the same wish."

This harmony in their movements, Dr. Warren thinks, is a habit formed by necessity. His further account of their habits is extremely curious:

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