Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-06-15
What Detroit thinks of Lent & French.

LIB. Lent's New York Circus, con
nected with J. NJ. Erench's menagerie,
opened the seasons campaign yes
terday in this city at the corner of
Woodward avenue and Davenport
street. Considering that it was a
first appearance, everything worked
very smoothly. The animals are in
excellent condition, and the collec-
ton is very large, it is one Of the
finest seen in Detroit for several sea-
sons. The ring performance is an
admirable one. The features Of this
portion of the entertainment are a
very picturesque grand entree, origi-
nal and dashing equestrianism by
Mile Viola, some fine slack-rope
feats by w. Ducrow, startling trap
exc act by La Belle Victoria, inter
esting performance of the beautiful
trick horse Rosewood under the
guidance of Mr.. Ducrow, Frank
Ashton's contortions, the antics of
those perennial delights, Pete and
Barney, double equestrian act by
Richard Rivers and Mile Viola, feats
of tumbling by a company of aero
bats led by that amazing vaulter Jas.
Murray, the performing elephant
Sultan, bareback hurdle riding b.
Vim. Ducrow, Hawley and Victoria
in sensational trapeze act and hori
zontal bar exercises by Hawley. Ash
ton and Seeley.
Last on the bill, but first in order
of merit, is the superb equestrianism
Mile. Cordelia, one of the most &C
complished and daring bareback rid
ers in the ring at this time.
From this hasty glance at the
principal feature of the performance
it will be seen that an unusually va
ried and lively programme is offered,
and that the first circus of the season
starts out with every promise of am
ply fulfilling all the pledges that
have been made in its behalf.-De-
tron Free Press.
Yesterday was rot one of the most
favorable for tented show, but des-
pite the threatening aspect of the
weather the opening exhibition Of
L. B. Lent's Circus and J. NJ.
French's Menagerie drew out very
good attendance. The show has
been thoroughly reorganized and
takes the road with fattering pros
poets of success. Many Of the wag-
ons and cages are new, the appoint
ments are very complete, the animals
are in prime condition and there are
numerous attractive features which
will no doubt insure liberal patron
age and successful season. The
collection of animals is large, and
embraces some rare and well kept
specimens, of interest to the student
of natural history. The circus de-
partment has been organized with
care, and yesterdays performances
were very smooth and. spirited, con-
sidering the fact that they were the
first Of the season. The manage
ment of the arenic sports seems to
be characterized by good discipline
and by good taste. Among the prin-
cipal features may be mentioned the
admirable EQUESTRIAN act of Mile.
Cordelia, who is probably unexcelled
as bare back rider. She accom-
plishes some very difficult feats and
displays much GOODNESS, grace and
daring. The venteran Richard Riv-
ers and his little daughter Viola
both do some excellent pad-riding E;
William Ducrow's hurdle act and
performance upon the flying cord
are capitally executed ; La Bell Vic
toria does an acceptable trapeze act ;
and the intelligence of the trick-horse
Rosewood, and the performing ele-
plant Sultan, and the viciousness OF
''them mules" excite fair share OF
appreciation. The clowns, James
Reynolds, and G. Seeley, actually in
troduce something fresh in the way
of jokes and provoke the usual
amount of merriment by their grot-
esque antics.-Detroit Post
This famous company will exhibit
at Grand Rapids Friday June 10th
afternoon and evening.