The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-06-16
Behind the Scenes-HOw a Circus Is
Managed.

has been behind the scenes at circus,
describes what he saw and heard, as
follows:
The dressire,-room was a small tent,
in the rear of the large one. In reach
ing it, passage had to be forced
through n herd of horses and several
groups of hostlers and assistants. Here
a spear and tomahawk; there was the
Mile. Hortense, in jacket and trousers,
between which garments the beautiful
gold-spangled skirts appeared. This
"airy child of vapor and the sum-" who
in few minutes would appear on the
back Of an untamed steed, leaping
gracefully through rings and over
streamers, was in the act Of dancing to
keep her feet warm, while she waited
for the animal to be brought A cage
of lions stood on one side, while on the
background could be seen cavalccde Of
horses, all closely and neatly stalled.
The dressing-room was occupied by a
dozen or fifteen performers in the oper
alton Of preparing for their respective
acts. Some were naked, and upon their
bodies, in every conceivable place, APP
peared formidable bandages and plas-
tiers. These were for strains and bruis-
es, of which every one had his share
and no small share at that.
One Of these gentlemen, a well known
bare back and four-horse rider, while IN
the act of putting on pair Of elastic
knee-caps, to strengthen his knees, eX-
planned that the most serious strain re-
sultng from riding and tumbling came
upon the kidneys, which were often
badly injured. The breast was also
strained at times, though not so fire.
quently. Such trivial matters as
shoulder and ankle sprains were con-
tinually occurring, and unworthy of no.
tice. Heaps of porous plasters and
quantities of glycerine enough to stock
an apOthecary's shop were used by
circus company in one season.
Having wrapped an old coat about
his gaudy ring habiliments, and seated
himself on his clothes chest, the clown
lighted his pipe and expressed a will
ingness to impart such information as
he possessed. Through the paint and
powder which disfgured the old fell
lows countenance, very intelligent
expression was visible, while his obser-
vations were as matter Of fact as could
be expected from any deacon of a we'll
regulated church. He had been over
thirty years in the circus business, the
most of which time he had served in his
present capacity.
There are at present, he said, forty
travelling circuses in the United States,
involving a capital of several millions.
and affording employment to several
thousand people. OF these people,
nearly all the regular performers, in
Guiding riders, acrobats, athletes and
tumblers, serve q regular apprentice
ship at the business, as was formerly the
custom in other trades, although it is
necessary for the would-be performer to
commence much earlier in his profess
sion. The training Of a child for an
athlete begins frequently before it
would seem that his young muscles
could possibly bear the strain. There
are few mothers who would be willing
to have their children submitted to
systematic gymnastic education at the
age of three years. The consequence is
that many circus men were adopted in
their infancy for this purpose, and it
does not appear that the severe train
ing often Injuries the constitution, con-
Quoted, as it is, with the greatest eau
ton and skill. Anybody who has at
tended the circus frequently has OBJ
served that the same individual per
forms in several different capacities,
which would appear to require differ
ent system of training. This is perfectly
true, as an accomplished performer,
who can command good salary, must
be thoroughly acquainted with all the
branches of the business.
The complete outfit of first-class cir
Gus includes all the necessaries for the
foundation of colony. The number of
people employed is generally about 100.
From 100 to $50 animals make up the
complement of live stock when there is
no menagerie attached. The general
management Of the whole devolves
upon a superintendent, who is usually
one of the proprietors. Each depart
ment under him has its respective man
ager, who attends exclusively to his
own division. The equestrian manager
looks after the training of the horses,
and determines the feats to be per-
formed in the ring. The boss canvaser
has charge of the tents and ,uperin-
tends all the arrangements for locating
and removing them. The boss hostler,
of course, oversees the care of the ami
mails, etc. Each of these persons has a
number Of subordinates, who are as
signed to particular duties, so that when
called upon every man falls at once into
his proper place, and the whole affair
works with the accuracy and regularity
of clock work
Travelling companions lay out their
campaigns with all the care that an
army takes in preparing for long
march. The route and all the details
are arranged before the start, advantage
being taken of every opportunity which
the character of the country affords
Thus, the heat of summer frequently
finds the circus as far North as it is prac-
ticable to 60, while as winter approaches
it gradually works its way intoa warmer
climate. The minutest details, which
would be entirely overlooked by an in
experienced person., are arranged with
the utmost precision. An agent who
has travelled over the proposed route
hog "a,