Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1899 — ORIGIN OF THE DOLL. [ARTICLE]

ORIGIN OF THE DOLL.

And Incidentally Why It Is Called « Poupee in French. A diligent search through ancient records reveals the fact that the first mention of a doll was made during the reign of King Charles VI. of France. The story goes that an Italian named Pusello Grivaldi gave an exhibition at Paris of 60 wax figures, among which were of several Homan empresses. To this theater of marionettes ail Paris thronged, and the fame of the show became so great that Queen Isabella and the other members of tbe court resolved to entertain the king with it. The monarch, as students of history know, was mentally unbalanced, and this seemed just the sort of amusement to please him. Accordingly Grivaldi brought his wax figures to court, and, aided by a trained monkey, gave a very funny entertainment. The king was especially pleased with a wax figure which was supposed to represent Poppaea, the beautiful wife of Nero, for whose sake he put his*first wife to death, and who also in her turn came to an untimely end at his hands. Bang Charles was much moved when he heard her tonching story, and he insisted on keeping the beautiful wax Poppaea. Sig. Grivaldi availed himself of the opportunity to make a little money easily, and finally consented to part with his treasure for 400 gold pieces. The king was delighted, and hardly a week passed that he did not buy another wax figure from the ingenious Italian. Wishing to please him, the entire cburt followed nis example, so that for awhile wax figures were exceedingly popular in Paris When Charles VI. died, however, a change came. The numerous Poppaeas and other wax figures were turned over to the Children, and with them they have ever since continued to be popular. A striking proof of the truth of this story is the fact that the German word for dolt i&“puppe,” and the French word is “poupee,” both of which are clearly forms of the word “Poppaea.”—N. Y. Herald: