The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-01 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.
CIRQUE NATIONAL DE PARIS.

The Olympic games,, as instituted by the Greeks,
orieinating in their flue perception of all that was beau-
tiful in poetry, lrlintieg, sculpture, and music, together
with their love of beautiful form, became a principle in
their religion, and the re-cult was their being enabled to
produce such extraordinary efforts in the various
branches of the fine arts. Whilst the more savage and
bloody amusements of the Romans outrage and shock
our feelings of humanity, we find the Greeks occupying
themselves by the innocent and delightful objects sought
after in their games. They contended for glory by the
peaceful arts, and chariot racing, running, wrestling,
throwing the discus, gymnastics, acts of strength and
feats of agility, were among the recreations of the peo-
ple; and if they were compelled, by less peacefully dis-
posed neighbours, to war in defence, their peace was
celebrated by these games, which contributed so much
to domestic happiness and joy. These reflections have
been elicited by witnessing the truly excellent company
of equestrians of iii. Dejean, and we wish to point out to
our readers that they behold in them the true spirit of
the Olympic games of Greece revived in modern days.
We must also observe that the perfect air of re-
spectability that pervades the entire establishment
of this gentleman, in dress and manner, leaves
nothing to be desired for the moat fastidious
taste. All is elegant and unique in its way, and,
to crown the charm, a total absence of all that
vulgarity which is associated with our early recollections
of circus performances. The theatre has been converted,
with much skill and taste, into a perfect amphitheatre;
the entire performance taking place in the arena, which
was the true character of those aecient places of amuse-
ment. We have a vivid recollection of Duerow's per-
formances (who received his education at Franconi's),
and the dramatic power of feeling which he threw into
all his parts, must be in the remembrance of our readers.
There was genius in all he did, and it is no more than a
common act of justice to say, without any disparage.
ment, that although there is no one member of this com-
pany who can be said to be his superior or equal, yet,
as a whole, the troop of M. Dejean stands unrivalled in
power, excellence, variety, and the indescribable elegance
of the entire arrangement.. The performances during
the past week have been well attended, and most warmly
received. We shall occasionally give notices of the va-
rious members and their exciting performances. Madlle.
Caroline and Madlle. Anato are the two female artistes
who merit the most attention from the public, and in
noticing them first, we are only guided by the voice of
the public. Madlle. Caroline exhibits in a style of riding
sitting in the saddle. She is a fine-looking woman, with
a beautiful figure, which she carries with much noble-
ness. She sits on the horse as if she were, centaur-like,
a part of the animal itself. Whether the steed rears,
plunges, capers, wheels suddenly round, leaps bars, gal-
lops, or suddenly stops—there she sits as if it were pas-
time to her. Nay, such is her skill, that when you
think the horse, from his wildness of action,
must certainly throw her, you see her smile, and are
relieved from the anxiety by finding that it is the most
consummate skill of the rider. Jupiter, one of the horses
she generally appears upon, is a beautiful creature, white,
with a very intelligent head. He is an Irish animal, and
his action most extraordinarily stag-like, plunging
forward and striking out at the same time with his hind
legs, in fearful style. Russe, another horse she rides,
is the most noble animal in the stud—a light grey in
colour, with dark touches in the main, tail, and legs—a
charger in figure with the bow neck of the war-horse.
He has a wildness of action which is very fine, and paws
the earth with his fore-feet. This fine animal was a
present from the Emperor of Russia, and was not to be
trained for the service of the army ; but Franconi has
succeeded in training him. Mademoiselle Caroline gene-
rally wears a handsome costume of black velvet and
crimson riding habit, which contrasts well with the
colour of the steeds. Her stele of riding exceeds anything
of the kind we ever beheld. She sits with peerless ma-
jesity upon the horse, with a dignity worthy of a Queen
of Amazons. Mademoiselle Palmy re Anato has a
style and gcnius peculiar to her alone. In her
is combined the true female artiste ecuyere
to perfection. She mounts on the saddle on tip-
toe, and becomes inspired, acting in the most
sylph-like style and ariel lightness. The perfectly ex-
quisite and finished manner in which she executes her
beautilul poses, and the elegance of her celebrated pas,
has ginned for her the title of the Taglioni of Eques-
trians. The unapproachable lightness of her spring—
the neatness, rapidity, and preCision of her gazelle-like
bounds over the scarfs and through the hoops, never
fails to call forth the most enthusiastic applause of the
audience, and she is nightly recalled. To considerable
beauty of person she unites much elegance, and a mo-
desty of demeanour which wins the favour of the audi-
ence. Her manner of dressing her person (which is
little in need of ornament) is in the most chaste order of
fine taste, and embraces a pleasing variety—from the
pure white or the delicate pink, to the more dashing
crimson ribbons and boddice—a crimson rose, or an ele •
gant gold netting to tie her hair in the Grecian sty le.
She takes her rank as the first female equestrian in
Europe. The horse " Norma," on which she generally
appears, is of a handsome dun-colour, with fine dark
main, tail and legs, and is richly caparisoned; and his
steady-going pace is admirably adapted to the exquisite
finished riding of this fair Italian.