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sionnach commented on the word porcine physiognomy
THE PIG-FACED LADY
(Sidenote: _Captain Gronow_)
Among the many absurd reports and ridiculous stories current in former days, I know of none more absurd or more ridiculous than the general belief of everybody in London, during the winter of 1814, in the existence of a lady with a pig's face. This interesting specimen of porcine physiognomy was said to be the daughter of a great lady residing in Grosvenor Square.
It was rumoured that during the illuminations which took place to celebrate the peace, when a great crowd had assembled in Piccadilly and St. James's Street, and when carriages could not move on very rapidly,_horresco referens!_ an enormous pig's snout had been seen protruding from a fashionable-looking bonnet in one of the landaus which were passing. The mob cried out, "The pig-faced lady! Stop the carriage--stop the carriage!" The coachman, wishing to save his bacon, whipped his horses, and drove through the crowd at a tremendous pace; but it was said that the coach had been seen to set down its monstrous load in Grosvenor Square.
March 20, 2009
sionnach commented on the word porcine physiognomy
Another report was also current. Sir William Elliot, a youthful baronet, calling one day to pay his respects to the great lady in Grosvenor Square, was ushered into a drawing-room, where he found a person fashionably dressed, who, on turning towards him, displayed a hideous pig's face. Sir William, a timid young gentleman, could not refrain from uttering a shout of horror, and rushed to the door in a manner the reverse of polite; when the infuriated lady or animal, uttering a series of grunts, rushed at the unfortunate baronet as he was retreating, and inflicted a severe wound on the back of his neck. This highly improbable story concluded by stating that Sir William's wound was a severe one, and had been dressed by Hawkins, the surgeon, in St. Audley Street.
March 20, 2009
bilby commented on the word porcine physiognomy
"Pig-faced Ladies were not infrequently exhibited at fairs and markets. After a quarrel between a dwarf and the proprietor of a travelling fair, which led to a magisterial investigation in Plymouth, the technique of this deception was divulged in court. The rogues let a bear drink a large amount of strong ale, before tying it to a large armchair, shaving its face and neck, and dressing the intoxicated animal in female attire, 'with a voluminous wig, ringlets, cap, and artificial flowers in the latest fashion'."
- Jane Bondeson, New Pig-faced Lady Portrait, forteantimes.com, August 2007.
March 20, 2009