Struggles and Triumphs · Chapter
XXIX: In Germany explained
Barnum travels with General Tom Thumb through Germany, facing bureaucratic hurdles in Paris and at the German border, and capitalizing on the lucrative gambling spas of Baden-Baden, Ems, Homburg, and Wiesbaden.
What happens
Barnum travels with General Tom Thumb through Germany, facing bureaucratic hurdles in Paris and at the German border, and capitalizing on the lucrative gambling spas of Baden-Baden, Ems, Homburg, and Wiesbaden. Despite the grim backdrop of gambling-induced suicides, the exhibitions draw huge crowds and high prices, including a visit from the King of Holland. Barnum remits profits to America to reclaim his real estate and settle debts. He encounters a desperate orchestrion maker in the Black Forest, navigates red tape in Frankfort, and endures a slow steamboat on the Rhine before continuing to Cologne, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam.
Themes in this chapter
Showmanship and Humbug
Barnum's ability to draw crowds and charge high prices at German spas demonstrates his showmanship, even in a foreign setting.
Resilience in Adversity
Barnum overcomes customs seizures, police red tape, and language barriers to successfully exhibit Tom Thumb and remit funds to recover from financial ruin.
Financial Wisdom and Economy
Barnum remits thousands of dollars to repurchase real estate and settle clock notes, showing strategic financial recovery.
Characters to notice
- P. T. Barnum
Narrator and manager; travels with Tom Thumb through Germany, handles customs and police issues, and remits profits to America.
- General Tom Thumb
Exhibited in German spas; his arrival causes intense excitement; he delights in Barnum's customs troubles.
- Mr. James Gordon Bennett
Mentioned in the context of the Frankfort police commissioner's financial disclosures.
- Henry Bennett
Mentioned in the context of the Frankfort police commissioner's financial disclosures.
Key passages
“A Frenchman, sitting at the table where scores of others were betting their money, lost his last sou, and immediately drew a razor from his pocket and cut his throat. The circumstance was scarcely sufficient to induce the players to raise their eyes from the cards;—it was a mere incident, an episode in matters more important.”
A French gambler, after losing his last coin, slashed his own throat at the table, but the other players barely looked up, treating it as a trivial interruption.
Illustrates the callousness and obsession of gamblers at Baden-Baden.
“If you will only stay, I will go down on my knees to you; yes, Mr. Barnum, I will cut off one of my fingers for you, if you will only wait.”
The orchestrion maker pleaded desperately, offering to kneel or even mutilate himself if Barnum would delay his departure.
Shows the extreme desperation of the Black Forest inventor to secure Barnum's attention.
“I have a great mind to put on an opposition American line and burst up your business.”
Barnum threatened to start a competing American steamboat line to ruin the slow German boat's business.
Reflects Barnum's competitive Yankee enterprise and frustration with the slow Rhine steamer.