Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-10-13
New Way of Seeing the Elephant.

We have heard OF the elephant in nearly all sorts
OF shapes and ways, but we never did think of his
being presented Standing on his head, yet such APP
pears TO be the fashion in which he exhibits his pro-
portions and beauties at Paris as we find from the
correspondence of the Boston Post, under date of
the 18th of September from which we make the fol-
lowing extract. 1t certainly opens up new kirk
to u.s. Neither Mexico California can show an
elephant like unto the French elephant
Since saw an elephant stand on his head, at the
Circus in Paris. have not been more amused than
was an evening or two since at The Cirque de rTm-
peratrice at animated ladder. The eIep plants were
evidently very young and dociIe creatures and APP
peared in the immense of sawdust and tan TO
be somewhat smaller than usual. They were han
died by muscular fellow, who had more control
over them than any mahout ever saw in India
They waltzed, danced, promenaded, and walked on
their heads. never laughed more in my life than
at this singular performance. To see the trunk and
tusks place the rseves firmly small raised plat
form in the ring and to then behold the huge SLOUGH
ing legs and diminutive tail gradually elevated the
act disclosing vast expanse of dirty tawny looking
belly, was infinitely ludcrous The elephants SEEM
ed to 10y the attitude very much and disclosed M
modesty whatever in revealing the whole beauty of
their construction to an Intelligent public. reward
OF cracker or apple invariably elected repet.
ton, and once in the ardor of success one aspiring
animal tumbed forward on his back His fall shook
Tile MUSE, anu IOF moment or TWO dIScOmpOSed him
but he quickly recovered himself and soon emula-
| ted his companion, who, in his unnatural attitude
had been quiet but observing spectator of the effects
OF too lofty throwing of the hind legs towards the
ceiling They subsequently interlaced their trunks
and to discriminating strain from the orchestra.
performed series OF evoutions which, if they were
not characterized by extraordinary rapidty were
at least dsnguishabe for the dignity attending their
accomplishment Feats with their trunks they ex-
h,bited in profusion but the ground and lofty tum-
bhng and waltzlng were things to me supremacy
ridiculous as they were wonderfully industrious
They circulated their keeper at his command,
in every direction, and saluted the audience,
embraced each other and gracefully retired
from the arena; bearing between them the BIZ
PED whose stature, IN comparison, appeared so con-
temptble, and overwhelmed with appliances and aud-
atoms from the delighted spectators. All Paris
1ocked to see them during the engagement and the
owner, suppose, reaped handsome fortune The
animated ladder Is also extraordinary performance
Nerve skill and composure distinguish the individu-
al who immotalizes himself nightly for five francs
sight He mounts narrow ladder some ten feet
nigh, and from the topmost round really appears 10
Undue it with human Intelligence and animation 1t
struts trots, gaops, beats measure or is staliona-
ry under his influence. AS finale he holds il and
himself IN equilibrium and fddles the carnival of
i Paganin in very creditable manner The ladder
does not move hairs breadth it seems TO be driven
In the ground and the man tied to it, so utterly mo.
tionless do both remain with the exception of the
motion necessary to the violin paying) until he has
concluded-then both walk away as steadily as pos.
slble Ravels ladder feat is decidedly inferior to it
though at the Howard Athenaum / remember to
have seen him exploit very sublimely. The Leg de-
velopement necessary to this performance, we can
both believe, must be enormous The fellow. how.
ever, is like almost all the French circus performers
Short square, and very quick and graceful in his
movements There are IN my other entertainments
incident to the Empresss circus which are equally
striking and interesting. but will not exhaust your
patience in detailing them"