Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-04-15
THE FRENCH HIPPODRODIE.

For several days past, groups of gamins
and other iders have been collecting around
Judiciary square, watching with much interest
the erection of the enclosures for the use Of
NJ. Franconi's French hippodrome company
which, with its equipments and horses, has
been transferred entire from Madison street.
New York, to this city. The hippodrome, from
hppos, horse, and dromos, course,) now nearly
completed, compares most iavorably with those
in Paris and New York, in regard to safety,
comfort and convenience. The space en-.
closed is two acres; the dimensions being ne
cessary to the grandeur and gorgeousness OF
the thrilling feats and brilliant olympian games
proposed. The arena, beautifully laid off and
planted with evergreens, is festooned with tri.
colored drapery, and is designed in the form Of
an ellipse. 1t is 3l4 feet in diameter from north
to south, and extends IA feet from east to west;
the whole area of which is covered by $4,000
square feet of canvass, which is supported by
four pole-masts, and sustained still more Sc
curely by 46 supporters. The tribunes, or
seats, are securely adjusted, and unusually
strengthened by oblique braces and uprights.
The seats and approaches are carpeted, and
plainly but taatefully painted and decorated,
and will probably accommodate, comfortably
seated, from about 1000 to 5000 spectators
From the expenditures already made, the en-
terprising proprietors seem determined to spare
no exertions to render this place of amuse-
ment worthy Of the patronage of the elite of
our city. In fine, every possible attention to
comfort, safety, and enjoyment, has been be-
slowed, and the entertainer is will be of such
character that the most fastidious can have
no cause of complaint.
In most places of public amusement, one of
the usual Inconvenience has been the want Of
proper degree and arrangement of light; in
this respect, nothing has been omitted to sup
ply the desideratum; for Mr.. John Reese, one
of our most skillful artisans, to whom has
been entrusted the fitting up and superintend-
ence Of the gas department. has made the most
extensive preparations for the brilliant illumi-
nation of the arena, tribunes, Offices, APP
proaches, and dressing apartments, of this gi-
gantic establishment. Tins end is attained
by the introduction of from eight hundred to
one thousand gas burners, so well arran ged,
that, Notwithstanding the difficulties attendant
upon proper distribution Of light, the tasteful
and artistic ornaments Of the arena and the
decorative details of the war-chariots, trium-
phal cars, and equestrian equipments, will be
exhibited to the best advantage. That the fix
lures will be SO arranged, by Mr.. Reese, as to
prevent any leakage and the consequent dia'u-
sion of the disagreeable odor of the iluminat.
ing agent to the annoyance of the spectators,
is indicated by his highly satisfactory work in
the Patent Office, Presidents House, the Uni
ted States Insane Hospital, and the Smithso-
Man Institution.
The troupe is composed of eighty perform
ers, chiefly from the original company at the
Hppodrome in Paris, and whose reputation
had been established there and subsequently,
ct New York. The magnificent stud Of trained
horses, seventy in number, is unsurpassed; the
ostrich races, RENDERS driven in charots, os-
triches ridden by boys and the medieval tour
naments, with steel-clad knights in brilliant
trappings and gorgeous display, will afford our
citizens an opportunity of witnessing the in.
auguration here of the classic diversions in
stituted by the ancient Grecians and Romans
in honor Of their gods and heroes. These
national games we're held in such esteem, that
the victors were highly venerated and carried
home in triumphal cars, crowned with laurels,
and maintained at the public expense.
The style of amusement proposed by M.
Franconi is go far superior in excellence and
splendor to that heretofore in vogue, that its
successful introduction to the people Of our
city must result in amusement as well as in
struction. Here we have renewed the thrilling
feats and heroic exploits of the Olympian,
Pythian and Nemean games, aud the usual
neurological and classical adornments of Ho-
meric demi-gods. A grand dress rehearsal
will be given on Monday afternoon, at o'clock,
previous to the general opening to the public
We call the attention Of our readers to the
advertisement in another column.