The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-17

THE CTRCUS.-C circus aDf
menagerie have been established on Coun
Gilt Chamber Hill, and the proprietor pro
poses to give afternoon and evening
performances each day during this week
Considering the roughness OF the GROUND
/ tue tents have been totefab1y well ioca
ted. The main entrance to them is at the
corner OF Mayo and Ross streets. Up.
town people, at least. wonld have been
better pleased had it been placed on Four
lteenth street somewhat near to Broad, bui
the circus-men say that that could not DC
conveniently done.
The menagerie is well worth seeing. In
it are two elephants-one Queen Emma,
very large; three camels, blesbok, spotted
deer. zebra, Thibet yak, sea-cow or cape
buffalo, North American bison, Peruvian
llama, bears, pair lions, royal Bengal tiger,
panthers, kangaroos, gnu, hyenas, Abyssi-
nian wart hog, leopard, wolves, &C., dc.
These animals were wintered at the FAIR
Grounds, and their appearance is proof OF
good treatment. A fountain OF "liying
waters" springs up in the midst OF the
dens, and the notes from a number OF au-
tomato bel-ringers mingle with the splash.
Old folks generally say, 81 don't care
anything for the circus, but like to take
the children to see the animals" To such
most favorable opportunity IS now offered.
Ample time is given before the opening OF
the circus performance for critical in
spection OF the animals and Dir. O'Brien,
the manager. will no doubt have men 70
tell in brief what is known about each spe-
cimen. To many people that is great
charm.
The ring performance is an interesting
one, and will improve day by day, no doubt.
The horses have to get used to their new
riders. Men and animals alike will be I'M
proved by the fabrication OF their joints
which steady practice will give. The cos
tunes and capariSons are new and snowy.
The programme for each exhibition in
cIudes equestrian feats, trapeze and slack
rope performances, ground and lofty tunl-
bling (frst-rate), experiments with reVolV-
ing globes, and many new and original
features. The Lee family are prominent
in nearly every part. Miss Rosa Lee, glrl
of about fifteen, is very pretty, and eXcels
lin riding and acEobatic feats. There IS a
lady who rides bareback horse over hur.
dies who is a tirst-ratc performer.
The two clowns are reasonably amusing
Wit and humor, like everything else that i
done we'll, requires study and practice, and
we may conclude that the clowns, as they
become more fully identified with their sur
roundings, will satisfy all considerate pen.
pie.
The great elephant Queen Emma is vel
trained and presents one of the greatest at
fractions of the ring. She has had the repu
tation Of being bad-tempered, but has shoWI
none OF it in public here.
The brass band is an unusually big one
for circus.
Mr.. O'Brien has spent good deal o.
money in Richmond, and deserves to be
literally patronized. We will not say al
present that his is the very best show we
have ever seen; but it is sufficient for al
practical purposes. Taking into considera'
tion the well-ordered menagerie, the fulnesS
OF the ring-programme, the maay novelties
presented, the extraordinary number OF fe.
male performers, the newness OF the cos
tumery, and the claims for consideration
Mr.. O'Brien has at our hands, liberal pa.
tronage on the part Of Richmond people
would be showing proper spirit OF appre-
citation OF the management, and be dong
Justice to our own generous impulses.
To add to the comfort OF the audience,
and to relieve all fear OF dampness the mana
ger has had two-score loads OF shavings and
coarse sawdust strewed over the grounds,
covered by the canvas. Performances this
afternoon and tonight.