Swift Departure
By the dawn of the 1830s, the conjoined twins Chang and Eng had captured the imaginations of audiences to such an extent that their managers, Hunter and Coffin, decided it was time to elevate their fame to an international level. Thus, they embarked on a grand tour to Great Britain, where the duo captivated English crowds with their performances. However, their time in England wasn’t just filled with applause; the twins found themselves once again under the scrutinizing gaze of medical professionals, eager to probe the secrets of their unique bond.
Upon their return to New York in March 1831, the air was thick with change.
Whether it was a moral awakening or something else that stirred within Robert Hunter, the reasons remain a mystery. Nonetheless, the result was unmistakable: he relinquished his role as the impresario of the twins’ spectacle, selling his stake to his partner Abel Coffin and bidding farewell to the world of show business.
Now seasoned by their travels and performances, Chang and Eng stood at a crossroads, pondering whether it was time to step away from the limelight themselves. With the wisdom that came from years in the public eye, they contemplated their next move..