The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-12-25
THE WONDER OF AMERICA.

the result of American foresight and
wealth, but also because it was an
original American idea planned and
carried out by Americans, and that no
other nation upon the globe possesses
wonder native of its facilities that
can compete with it in point of collec-
ton of rare living prototypes OF the
wilds of South American forests and
the jungles of far-away, uncivilized
Africa, or can compare in any way
favorably to itself in appointment or
paraphernalia. To be explicit and
make plain to the uninitiated some
things little understood, we will begin
by saying that this s'Wonder of Amer
lea" is the world-renowned VAN AM
BURGH 81 Co.'S GREAT GOLDEN
MENAGERIE, FROsT's ROMAN CIRCUS
AND ROYAL COLOSSEUM, and we
propose to supplement this preface by
brief accounts of essential points Of
the show business, gradually paving
the way to the menagarie and circus
proper.
This great shown fact, the great
est in the world--has wintered at
Armenia, in the State of New York.
1t has cost thousands upon thousands
of dollars, since its existence, to feed
the wild animals which comprise the
menagerie, and the employment. Of
many men to guard these ferocious
beasts has drained heavily upon the
purse of the propretors. New collcc-
tons of rare specimens of the brute
creation have been added to this mon
ster menagerie of living animals in a
perfectly untamed state, which are by
far superior TO any others of so-called
menageries attached to "nude" shows,
SO many of which description infest
interior towns-by "nnde" shows we
mean that class of arenic exhibitions
with third-rate, vulgar performances,
and having a few cages tabled with
startling cabalistic characters, and a
hair standing picture that arouses the
curiosity of the townspeople and cleans
their purses, but which only contain
u few stuffed birds and animals, and
perhaps few wax figures.
Hyatt Frost, the proprietor of Van
Amburgh's Menagerie and Circus, has
labored early and late the past winter
to make this colossal caravan yet bet
ter than last season. While other Cir
cuses and menageries last year lost
heavily and barely escaped the cham
" mef," this show came into its winter
quarters with fresh earned laurels and
pure fame unknown to any other show
upon this continent.
The menagerie comprises one or more
specimens Of almost every wild beast
and bird in the world. Any person Of
ordinary intelligence can here wrap
his thoughts in study upon the natare
of these ferociOus animals, and observe
their traits and characteristics safe
from their avengeful fury. Natural
history cannot give yona better knowl-
edge of beasts and birds than a me-
nagerie, for here you have it right un-
der your eye, and yon can become bet
ter acquainted with the habits of ami
mails in such a manner in one hour
than you can by reading of them in
one full day.
} Savage nature chains the mind 53
. With powerful magnetism cold
!, Rivets ones eyes, ones thoughts unwind,
To assume more perfect mold. AIS
In this vast collection of wild animals
are beasts who are noted for their
savage temperament, of which the
power of man has never yet been able
to control. s esi& sel ,@g@
The laughing hyena, whose piercing eyes
Strikes terror to the soul; e;l-
8 Tongue-licking chops boasts graveyard
8 prize
4 Of corpse in narrow. goal.
> Whose grinning jaws with swapping sound
s Makes blood to freeze within, .E4f ,.
,. His claws play unsteady on the ground
, His jowls are set with grin.
!, We might continue on upon beasts o:
like ferocious nature, but as all the an
imals would demand notice we re-
4 frain, and as one hour is given to visi
the menagerie before the circus per
O Torrance takes place, every one Cal
: best judge for himself the truth of oul
j. assertion, that what they have con
y tanned in this vast collection is gem
r inc, a greater variety Of specimens
a more different kinds of animals-som
V of which many of you have never see'
u in any other menagerie-and we fee
n confident that You will say their AMI
n mails are worth looking at, and tina
: they still retain the reputation of hav
n ing with their Circus finer Menageri
It of living wild animals than ever exhib
1t tied before in this place. AS one tick
" ct admits you to both tents, you canno
" be more generously treated, consider
ing the great expense they are put t
daily to keep this collection up to
II high standard of perfection, solely 70
7. your observation and enlightenment
l. Such an opportunity to see Gods IN
G tanned creatures may be never affnrde