The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-02-08 00:00:00

ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.

As the period is now necessarily drawing to a close—a
few weeks only having to elapse—when the engagements
of M. Dejean and his unrivalled equestrian corps and
stud of horses will be required in the metropolis of our
country, we have earnestly to recommend to those of our
readers, and the public generally, who have not yet visited
the Amphitheatre, to hasten and judge for themselves.
They.may rest assured that they will experience a treat,
now within their reach, which may never again occur.
Allez les voir. We will now proceed to notice those
artistes and horses of the stud which are remarkable for
their superior intelligence and performances.
MONS. A. FRANCONI.—The horses seem to have re-
ceived their education under this gentleman's able tuition,
and most admirably have they progressed under so con-
summate a master of his art. In addition to the more
pleasing accomplishments of dancing, waltzing, quad-
rilling, and all manner of elegancies more particularly ap-
pertaining to the four-footed animal, and extraordinary
feats, he seems not to have neglected their AB C. They
understand all he says to them ; at least there can be no
doubt of their being proficient in the French language.
"Allez," "montez," "arretez," "frappez," or "assez,"
are no sooner uttered, than as instantly obeyed. We
perceive also a distinction of character in the horses, the
same as in the human race. Some are remarkable for
their superior beauty of form and elegant limbs, a noble
carriage of head and general action ; others, for grace and
elegant movement, while some retain a natural wildness
of manner. Frauconi shows the hand of a master in the
management of the Nvhip, which he uses wt.... tau ma-
midation to the animals than as a weapon. A very slight
motion of the wrist, without much perceptible movement
in the arm, produces a startling crack, which makes all
tremble again, and the horses dare but obey the mandate.
He also appears to have much suavity of manner, united
to the firmness of a commander. We have to particu-
larly admire his polite attention and kindness shown to
the ladies, that never-failing characteristic of the perfect
gentleman. But now for those noble animals of the crea-
tion—the horses.

ATAR GuLL.—The trumpet sounds, a crack of the whip
succeeds, and on comes the steed, rearing and striking
out with his forefeet in fearful and grand style. He is a
beautiful little creature, highly bred, and a skin of the
darkest and most glossy black. With a simple and elegant
style of crimson bridle and other light ornamental gear,
and a plume on his head, ala Indien. He is at liberty,
obeys the word of command, and proves the high perfec-
tion to which a horse may be trained. His performances
are most extraordinary : he turns round on one leg—the
same with the legs crossed; marches round the circle to
the music ; mounts on a small table, and turns round ;
gets on the table with his hind legs only, and in this posi-
tion works himself round the circle. His concluding feat
is suprising. Mounting the edge of the circle with his
forefeet, he runs round in this manner. A truly wonder-
ful exhibition.

GODOLFIN is another extraordinary animal, with great
intelligence. He is white, with a slight dapple of grey,
and something of the Arabian in form. He brings a nap-
kin ; lays down at command ; sits on his hind quarters at
table • rings the bell, and supper is brought to him by
Auriol, the clown. Finding that the bell brings him such
good cheer, he keeps it up in good style, and the clown
busy at work supplying him. He also takes up a can with
his mouth, drinking out of it at the same time. When
he finds he can obtain no more, he gets up, pursues the
Clown, and makes his exit.
M. CHARLES SIEGRIST is a juggler on horseback. It
is common to witness feats of this kind on terra firma;
but to see them achieved when the horse is ' under
weigh," to use a nautical phrase, is of a very novel nature.
The difficuty is so great, that the wonder is, how it can be
done ; and when we find it often takes him two or three
attempts before he can accomplish his end, we must take
into consideration the motion of the animal, and then it
appears wonderful. He has a good figure, and looks well
in the extremely picturesque dress in which he appears—
the modern Greek costume—which is very excellent and
correct. Throwing up apples, and, catching them on the
point of a knife, is one of the most difficult performances_
His feats with two balls and one cup, and two cups and
one ball, are very excellent. He then places a band on
his head, at back and front, with a cup attached, throws
up a ball to a considerable height, and cups it. His per-
formances with the three sticks, leaping over banners at
the same time, are very extraordinary. At full speed, he
concludes his performance by keeping up three large balls
with great spirit.
M. HENRI is another juggler a cheval, and is remarka-
bly clever; throwing up bottles, and catching them on the
Inglic of his hand and-ou-laicl24mad. -.o.oeluding per-
formance is wonderful. With a plate in his mouth, held
by the edge, on the other edge is balanced a kind of
wooden chandelier, with a dish at top. At one time, he
balances no less than five dishes on his head and shoul-
ders, all spinning, and the horse galloping round the circle
all the time ! What next ?
THE BAND.—That most essential and. highly pleasing
adjunct to the performances, which seems to animate the
very horses by its inspiriting strain. The eye and the ear
may be considered as rivals, when action, in the absence
of speech, is the character of an exhibition. When the
eye is fully occupied, we are often insensible to the beau-
tiful harmony of sounds which are presented to the ear :
the organ of vision being the superior one of the two..
The band consists of about thirty performers, and is most
admirable, with a just mixture of wind and string instru-
menton, partaking, as it should do, more of the military
in character. It is under the clever conductorship of M.
Hamet, chef d'orehestre du Cirque des Champs Elysee's,
de Paris. He evinces much taste and considerable talent
by his judicious. selections. Each performance has its
true character and style of music, and is varied during the
time, and often of the most fascinating description.
There is one continued change of the most charming airs,
and we find ourselves constantly humming what we have
heard. 11. M.

TILE JEWS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

Sia,—Those who are bent on destroying the Christian
character of our legislature, and to disavow their holy
religion in the highest assembly in the land, tell us that
the country generally is in favour of this shameless pre-
position. Why ? Because it does not assume a peti-
tionary attitude. Is not this a reproach upon those whose
position enables them to lead and convey the sentiments
of the people ? Has not-every clergyman an opportunity
of sending a well-filled petition from his church ? I fear
it is too late to seek to influence the Commons t let the
House of Lords, then, without delay, be besieged. The
responsibility of the clergy is great. Why is not a meet-
ing celled,tn concert operations ?—Yours,
CHRISTIAN.
[Our correspondent's expostulation should be attend
to, Why 13 it 11(1t ?—En. L. S.]