Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-04-20
gosal anO 9srsonaI.
sports at the Expense ofthe Hippodrome.-.

Within the last two weeks there has been al
ardent desire TO witness the classical performance
Of Franconi's Hipppodrome. The erection Of the
wooden walls and the spreading Of canvas ovel
twoacres of Judiciary square. as roofing and The
announcement that, on Monday afternoon there
would be "a dress rehearsal, were admirably cal
cuated 10 gladden. the hearts of the thousands o.
our residents who had anticipated the inaugura
tion Of the establishment with such intense solici
tude.
As if the Indictment weather was not sufficiently
provoking to those who had looked forward &c
the opening Of the Hippodrome with pleasurable
emotions, report was circulated that some of the
more important equipments and properties had
faied 10 arrive, and that for those which had
reached the city there were not suitable accom-
modations But, it seems that ingenuity had
devised method by which 10 avoid dsappoint
ment-not on the part Of the management proper
but by some persons who seemed to have mol
very exalted ideas Of what should constitute the
attractions Of a fulaedged and caparsoned Hip.
podrome.
In the first place. we received note complain
ing Of our derivation, in an editorial of Saturday
Of hippodrome, from hippos, horse, and d,onsos
courseD asserting that we had, by this innocent
design to enlighten our anti-Greek readers, in
ficted great injustice on the establishment, and
insinuated that our knowledge of the classics was
susceptible of considerable Improvement.
We found, however, that notes were despatched
in various other directions. The Mayor Of the
city had been politely and urgently asked to grant
the use Of the council chamber as a temporary
lodge for the monkeys
The patriotic president Of one of our banks was
applied TO for permission to shelter the elephant
on his grassy premises, the writer asserting that
that the beast was "perfectly docile except when
irritated;" and
A firm largely engaged in the marble business
received note requesting the loan of derrick to
hoist the huge animal over the wall
A gentleman occupying high legal position
was applied to for lot of " star-spangled ban
,ners;' it being supposed that his natural con-
nexion with the author of celebrated national
ode had induced him to keep always on hand a
large supply of that article!
A United States civil officer, with French
name, was respectfully requested 10 give to the
opening Of M. Franconis Hippodrome the eclat
uHu uiStluStIOuY W pECpdTc anu uClNCi q
poetical address upon the OCCASION" his "high
poetic talents having already secured to him great
consideration among the acknowledged bards OF
the land"
Another United States officer, living near the
City Hall, was asked, as great favor, 10 grant
permission to extend cord or rope from one Of
he windows of his residence to the masts of the
immense tent, upon which to suspend gigantic
sign across the avenue, with the words Fran
coni's Great HIppodrome"
A clerk in one of the government departments
was applied 10 for the loan of his "alpine mastaI,
in order to perform the awful but sublime specta-
Gle Of the avalanche Of the Alps, or the monks
of ST. Bernard, friend having kindly volunteered
TO act for one night only as the "snow-buried
traveller"
Another citizen was asked to lend "a specimen
OF African humanity" which, with the aid Of a
little blue paint and the addition of tail, might
be imposed on the credulous community for poor
sick Jocko!
The ostriches having failed to arrives substitute
was sought in the shortjacketed and long-legged
Shanghais; therefore another legal gentleman OF
eminence received an application for the loan Of
this description Of feathered tribe!
The floral car, an indispensable article in the ex-
hibition, waste be supplied with the substitute Of
a fashionable genteman's landau; the Of which
was freely and Kindly granted for that purpose.
A proprietor Of one Of our principal hotels was
applied to for the loan Of his horse.for the use OF
a female rider; while legal gentleman was soli-
cited to send up one Of his shirt-colars TO repair
a rent in the canvas awning!
AS a further attraction, and additional to the
programme, gentleman who has been presented
with at least half a dozen complimentary walking
sticks, was requested to lend prize poem to be
read at the opening the grand exhibition.
Such, we learn, were some Of the private sports
INDUCED at the expense Of the Hippodrome.
-
Indelible Writing Inks.-We are quite in
favor with ink manufacturers. Recently, we re-
ceived from Mr.. Wim Adam, bookseller, Penn
sylvania avenue, second door west Of Four-and-
a-half street, bottle of writing fluid. It is what
it purporis to be, indelible having stood the
test Of acids
The article must prove really valuable 10 those
whose writings are Of such a character that
dying they would not wish to blot" but, on
the contrary, have them unfadingly preserved.
Mr.. Isaac s. Arnold, of this city, has likewise
left us bottle Of his indelble jet black extra
fluid, for writing and record purposes. This ink
is indeble on linen as well as on paper, and is
adapted TO both quill and steel pen writing, flow
ing handsomely and freely.
A Pennsylvania Poet.--Yesterday afternoon,
a man, on the shady side Of life, was seen in the
rotunda of the Capitol soliciting subscribers 10 a
forthcoming poem He not only exhibited hand
bill containing sample verses, but recited them
with much spirit, and produced from his poke,
several quires Of verses dictated by his muse and
written with his own hand. AS TO the merits or
quality of the literature, we orbear to express an
opinion, because we are sure that our ideas Of
poetry run counter TO those Of the author whose
fame has not yet been enrolled with that Of Milton
Shakespeare, Byron, Moore, Burns, and such like
celebrities.
Little Crow.--The Sioux Indian chief, from