Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-11
FOREPAUGH.
An Attractive and MeritOrlous combIna-
tlons---0ne Of the Best on Wheels.


Forepaugh's great circus, mensgerie and
museum gave a closing exhibition last
night to an audience of about twenty-five
hundred well-pleased and highly enter
tanned people. Il is a matter of regret to
thousands that the management did not
decide 10 remain over a day longer in this
beautiful weather, when all are disposed
TO seek the air and sunshine. But now
that the immense eve~n-centre-pole tents,
the wild beasts, the performing elephants,
the spirited horses and dashing riders, the
witty clowns and the trained tigers, edu-
Gated hyenas and the rare h%ippopotamus-
and oil the paraphernalia which loads a
special train Of forty cars are OF their
way to Louisville to go into winter quar-
tiers, we wish to say that this show
comes nearer fulfilling the promises of
pictures and advertisements than the most
that we have seen on the road. There is
less in it that is stale, hackneyed and
tame than any exhibition that has come
this way in years. The greatest wonder
it contains, one often advertised but rarely
exhibited, is the hippopotamus, an animal
Of the pachydermatous mammal species,
rarely ever seen out of Africa except in
geological gardens, 1t is supposed to
be the behemoth referred to by Job.
This one is only three years old and gives
promise of attaining great size and
weight. 1t cost $4,000 in gold and is
carried around at great expense, but as an
extra attraction it draws immensely, and
therefore pays its way. The performing
elephants astonish all beholders. There
are seven in all, including the baby els-
plant, which was born in this country and
is therefore an American elephant. They
obey the orders of their manager, Mr.
Addie Forepaugh, as if endowed with hui
man intelligence, and the pyramid of Gle
plants seen in cuts is actually present.
ed, the central elephant being a monster
of the species, and all as docile
and affectionate and playful as dogs.
An amusing story is told about the way
Addie Forepaugh anne TO be their man
sger. A professional elephant trainer had
been employed one winter in Philsdel-
phia to break them in. He received
500 a week, allowed no one to see him
giving lessons, and refused to set a price
for the travelling season. Mr.. Forepaugh
suspected something and set his son in the
hayloft TO watch the b~reaking-in process.
When the time came to start, sure enough,
Mr.. Elephant Trainer said the elephants
were of no use except as hay-eaters with
out him, and therefore he wanted a fancy
price by the year. The young Forepaugh
was ready for the expected emergency
and took charge of the elephant family
and has never missed a performance or
made a mistake. .
There are some thirty-fve or forty cages
of very fine animals including a real polar
bear, a cinnamon bear from California, a
cage of immense lions, an antelope horse
and various other animals not usually
seen, and all well-fed and as spirited al
most as if in a state of nature. The horses
in the ring are especially fine and we'll
trained, the riding suberb, while the clowns
and ~comicalities are original in style, give
no offense to the most refined taste, and
keeps the audience in good bumor with
the circus and themselves.
There are other features-but we will
not enumerate. 1t is sufficient for our
purpose To say that this is, in the
opinion of many, the best circus that
has visited Memphis since the war. 1t
has grown up from year to year under the
steady care and by the indomitabie energy
of Mr. Forepaugh. His profession with
him is an art and a passion. He super
vises the details in person, secures the best
talent and attractions, regardless of cost,
deals fairly with everybody and therefore
succeeds. He has acquired a fortune
Of millions in the last eighteen OF
twenty years, and yet works harder than
any employe connected with the estab-
lishment. He only found time to take
two meals at his hotel while here. We
found him an exceedingly intelligent, fine
looking, middle-aged gentleman. By in
dustry, sobriety ana attention to business
he has acquired his fortune and high posi-
ton in the profession. He is ably assisted
in the management by his only son,
Addie, and his nephew, John A. Fore
paugh. Mr.. Ben Lusby is perhaps the
champion ticket-seller of the world. d
X. Townsend, the contracting agent
known as uncle Dan" and Colonel T
R. Toole, general director of publications
are both thoroughly qualified and suited
for their positions. All Of them are very
pleasant, heightened gentlemen, who tax,
a pride in the profession. Forepaugh'i
circus leaves a very favorable impression
and will be welcomed most heartily If il
ever comes this way again.