The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-10-30 00:00:00

CIRCUS

itself, which has undergone a thorough repair, and many
improvements during the recess. It has been beauti-
fully decorated, and brilliantly illuminated. Some fine
statues have been added, and a profusion of banners,
illustrative of , the three kingdoms, and of celebrated
equestrian establishments, are hung round the circus.
For the comfort and accommodation of visitors, every-
thing has been done, and one feels just as snug in any
part of the house, as if at home by his own fireside.
The public appreciate Mr. Ilengler's exertions, and be
accordingly provides the most agreeable entertainments.
In keeping with this

THE PERFORMANCE
of Saturday evening, was more than to meet expectation,
no matter what anticipations had been entertained about
the opening night of the season. One feature that we
could wish to see adopted at all places of amusement,
Mr. Hengler has hit upon, and that is punctuality., The
audience is not kept to while away time—there is not a
minute lost from beginning to end--everything follows in
rapid succession, and this makes everything agreeable.
The synopsis of the performance for Saturday evening was
ample and admirably selected ; and whilst the proprietor
continues to present such a company to the public, and
whilst that noblest of animals, the horse, continues to be
admired, so long will equestrian representations attract
public patronage. We have seen a good many well
trained studs of horses, but we have not found any to
equal the horses belonging to this circus. That the
horse is capable of receiving, as it were, an 'education,
is proved by the high state of perfection to which the
animals have been brought in this establishment; the
intelligence and sagacity which they exhibit is really
wonderful. Truly it was observed by a gentleman on
Saturday evening, when he saw-the performance of the
comic poney " Beeswing " and that of the beautiful barb
" Diamond, " managed by Mr. G. Hengler,
" these animals can do everythin except talk !"
The military and string band attar'hed to the cir-
cus are perfect and their execution of the well
selected music incidental to the performance admi-
rable. , The performance opened by the introduc-
tion—of course the first time—of Mr. John. Henry Cook,
and Mr. Alfred Clarke, as the Trojan Youths, and to
use a phrase not inapplicable here, they are " regular
Trojans" and no mistake ! Their performance on two
beautiful swift horses would be difficult to describe; the
wonderful, yet graceful manner in which they repre-
sented the young nobles of Troy—provided such a place
ever had a site on the terrestial planet—must be seen to
convey an idea of what they go through. Mad'lle
Florette, is not only a pretty girl, but she is also a hand-
some equestrienne, and this was proved by the showers
of applause that greeted her throughout. Mr. Charles
Ethair appeared in three characters, " England, Ireland,
and Scotland," and we think it no small compliment to
quote what a witty Hibernian whispered in our ear,
when he saw him representing the Emerald Isle on
horseback'—"'pen my soul (said our friend) that's
Tyrone Power, got out 'of the sea and turned horse
rider !" It is needless to say that he was equally good
in his personations of the other two countries. The
next spectacle that claimed attention, was not only
novel, but something considerably astonishing ! A set
of the "Lancers Quadrilles on horseback !" Four ladies
and four gentlemen dressed in full lancer uniform, on
eight magnificently caparisoned steeds, dancing the
quadrille in first rate style.- It was said this was
the first time such a novelty was introduced into
England on horseback, and we believe it. We happen
(we know our lady readers will forgive us for this) to be
connoisseurs about dancing, and we gazed on this part
of the performance with surprise and delight—there was
not a single mistake throughout the set, and it amazed
us not a little to find horses so highly " finished :" it is
the grandest and most agreeable thing we have looked
on in its way, and must become excessively popular.
The finish by the octave of performers, dashing at full
charge speed over the barriers of the circus, brought
down, as it should, a tornado of applause. Of a different
and astounding. description is the performance of the
" Brothers Bern." Flying in the air by human bipeds
is no longer a theory, as these brothers prove that it
can be done, for they absolutely do it ! We have read
of nothing, and never saw anything, to equal their feats
—for daring, skill, agility, and coolness they stand
unrivalled. We would fain give some description of
what they do, but we should fail to convey any better
notion of their performances than a water-spout would
of the falls of Niagara. No, they must be seen ;
and once seen, the memory of their acts will never be effaced
from the mind. We may state that with the small artificial
contrivance of two ordinary trapes they fly across the
circus, and perform gymnastics of the most incomprehen-
sible character with a degree of sang frond and confidence
hardly equalled by an ordinary pedestrian in the streets !
The almost wild enthusiasm showered on them by the
thousands who witnessed their daring deeds, told plainly
how much they were appreciated. The next wonder is
the performance of " Ajax," a trained elephant of no
mean " dimensions." The natural sagacity of this
member of the zoological family is well known; but
friend "Ajax" appears to be the Solomon of the tribe.
He does everything, and does that everything well to
boot—even to the bells on his legs, which he tinkles as
well as any " Lancashire bell ringer." Some new
faces have been added to the stock company, and amongst
these we notice Mr. John H. Cook, and Mr. Davis
Richards, (the' great American rider,) and others,
all of whom were greeted with deserved applause.
We cannot forget our worthy friends, Funny
Franks, Bibb, Oriel, and other clowns, who
keep, the circus in a roar at intervals during the
evening—Bibb, with his intoxicated stilts, is the most
laughter provoking thing imaginable. We were
glad to see some well-known favourites, such as
Mr. Charles Hengler himself, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Henry,
&c., and amongst those who perform (though not in
the circus) important services, Mr. Russell, the gentle-
manly out-door agent, • all well and in their usual
spheres. Before the performance concluded, Mr. Hen-
gler briefly addressed the immense assembly, and thanked
the people of Liverpool, for the mark of favour bestowed
on him. He assured them that every novelty that
could be procured would by brought forward during the
season. He was greeted with hearty applause. The
band soon after gave the National Anthem, and so ended
the opening night of the season, which may be counted
one of the most brilliant in the annals of equestrian
exhibitions.

DETAINING A VOLUNTEER'S UNIFORM.—The case
heard. on Saturday at the County Magistrates' Court,
was disposed of yesterday. Benson gave up the uniform
and the fine was cancelled.
LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. —The
second ordinary meeting•of this society was held at the
Royal Institution last evening. Tea and coffee were
placed on the table at seven o'clock. The chair was
taken at half-past seven by the president, the Rev. H.
H. Higgins, M.A., Cantab. The following gentlemen
were elected members :—Rev. William Banister, 8.A.:
David Walker, late surgeon and naturalist to the
exploringthe vesselof
in lat.
; and Mr. F. Kirby. Dr.
ibilsoted a specimen of anorthite, a mineral
WF7
6oil, k
n Aeorrrctethxi ch;a
rare to the British isles. The president read a paper
upon Darwin's Theory of the Origin of Species. The
paper consisted of criticisms on the reviews on Darwin's
theory. A discussion followed.