The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-01-18 00:00:00

ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE

In our last we offered some introductory remarks on the
splendid equestrian troop of M. Dejean. We will now
notice the various members forming the company, and the
great feats achieved ; and in speaking of them we shall
proceed in the order in which we have made our observa-
tions rather than with any preference. Gallantry would
lead us to give the ladies precedence ; and although it is
with some degree of anxiety we witness their more deli-
cate and tender forms undergo these violent tests, consi-
dering the muscular and compact form of man more
adapted to these exercises ; yet we are hound to acknow-
ledge that the females acquit themselves with all becoming
elegance, and show great skill in their art. and a consider-
able charm would be wanting in the performances without
their aid and presence.
M. FELix is a perfect living antique statue of a young
Hercules, as he appears in the dress he wears on the In-
dian ball. The simple Peruvian costume shows off to ad-
vantage his finely moulded form. His thigh, leg, and
foot are perfect symmetry. The " bull neck," which the
poets have given to Hercules, is perfect in him—it rises
from his shoulders like a column. This performance is
truly wonderful. A more difficult position to maintain we
cannot conceive. The ball is at his command by the most
exquisite skill of equitation. He rolls it up the inclined
plane, and when at the apex adds to the difficulty by some
feats of jugglery—throwing up three small balls. He
then poises his body on one leg, and when in this posi-
tion, but wants the cap, Caduceus, and wings of " Mer-
cury," to be the personification of the celebrated statue of
John of Bologna. His descent backwards down the in-
clined plan: we are inclined to think the ne plus ultra of
his feats. M. Felix is also a clever equestrian, and per-
forms some very astonishing acts riding backwards. We
have only to suggest to him not to mar the effect of his
figure by the change he makes in his dress when riding;
the Indian dress is the one to show his form to perfection.
This is well worth considering. Dark sandats or boots do
not accord with a flesh-coloured dress.
MADLLE. EMMELINE LAMBERT evinces much taste
and feeling in her personifications. She has a pleasing
expression of countenance, and possesses an elegant
figure. Grate is in all her movements. The " Mantle
Poses" is highly classical, and her finest performance.
She wears the beautiful costume of the Grecian maiden :
a gold tiara on her head—a similar metal band encircles
her waist, and confines the loosely-folded tunic and
dress, also edged with gold—hanging sleeves—and an
ethereal-blue mantle, edged in the same exquisite style.
Nothing can exceed the grace, ease, and variety of her
attitudes, as she arranges this garment round her person.
It is a truly beautiful performance, and cannot be too
often repeated. The " Seasons " are remarkable for the
same excellence, with the variety of a tasteful change of
costume, and characteristic accompaniments. To these
may be added her " Scarf Act," another elegant idea.
She is the most graceful female equestrian we ever saw,
or expect to see—a perfect Thalia, the first of the graces.
We have little to suggest to her, except that the hair tied
into two tails, in the last act, is not in fine taste.

MADLLE. PALMYRA ANATO is another graceful crea-
ture. To considerable beauty of person she unites much
elegance, and a modesty of demeanour which is very
pleasing. With a refined expression of countenance, she
combines that happy medium of fulness of form without
being too stout. Her surprising feats of agility place her
at the head of the school of female equestrians. The
perfect ease and precision with which she accomplishes
her leaps, bounding like an antelope, over endless
streamers and through hoops (no less than thrice round
the arena), show the perfection she has acquired as an
expert equestrian. Her manner of dressing her person,
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 bodice—a crimson rose, or an elegant gold
netting to tie up her hair in the Grecian style. She is a
great favourite of ours, and to our idea nothing becomes
her more than the simple white dress, and the wreath of
white roses round her dark hair ; next to this is the deli-
cate oink mixed ! and as she thus appears, she is a perfec
in- I I

sphrosyne. There is the same good taste nisplayed in
the trappings of the handsome dun-coloured steed, with
his fine dark main, tail, and legs :—a delicate rose-co-
loured velvet saddle-cloth, bordered with white and edged
urnt, I with yellow silk—all perfect in its way. The perform.

hese ladies are accompanied with well-selected
music, of a soft and appropriate harmony. H. M.

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