Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-05-01

paid him
A THOUSAND DOLLARS A WEEK
for his services and the use of his
name, and bankrupted his popularity
and brilliant professional reputation
by associating him with inferior ex-
hibitions, for the shortcomings of
which the public held him response
BILE. Previous to this he owned and
managed different circuses, and the
fact that he remained for an entire
season in the state of New York drove
every other tent show out of that ter
ritory, and cleared nearly a hundred
thousand dollars, is sufficient evidence
of his extraordinary hold upon popu-
lar favor.
1t would literally require volumes
to contain the romantic and thrilling
incidents in the public career of one
of
THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY OF MEN,
for such is Dan Rice, and possessed,
moreover, of many Of the attributes of
positive genius. 1t is certainly con-
elusive evidence of greatness to be
greatest in anything, no matter what
the calling may happen to be, and
that Oar Rice is the greatest clown
that ever lived admits of no argument,
if success and public opinion be ac-
cepted as the standard by which to
judge. He has set the motley pattern
for his age, and had scores of imita-
tors, but not an equal. His history is
part of the traditional romance of the
arena, and thousands of gray boards
yet survive to chuckle over his earlier
escapades, and tell how they have
often seen the performances inter-
rupted with shouts of "Go on Dan; we
don't want to see any circus; we came
to hear youl" With the masses he
was the demi-god of the sawdust; and
throughout the length and breadth
Of the land they Aocked in eager
crowds to greet him; sang his songs,
repeated his jokes, and prolonged his
praise. Personally, he is to-day prob
ably the best known man in the world,
aud there is scarcely a hamlet on the
continent in which he could not find
an acquaintance; and recognize him
when found, for his memory of names
and faces is phenomenal, and after a
lapse Of several years he can call BY
name persons whom he has met but
once before.
Dan Rice is certainly not a wit, and
not even a humorist in the ordinary
acceptation of the term, but as a pan
feminist he vas simply inimitable.
He recognized the fact that gesture
expression and attitude were funnier
than any words, and employed them
with such consummate art that his
mere entrance into the ring was greet
ed with roars of laughter. Add to
this a splendid physique; the most
sonorous and far-reaching voice ever
heard under canvas; fair vocal pow
ers; a happy talent for localizing;
keen, quick and infallible perception;
perfect confidence and self possession:
great natural gifts of oratory
personal magnetism sufficient to i'm
press the audience; unchallenged and
graceful mastery Over the horse, and a
deserved reputation for courage, ply
steal prowess and reckless liberality.
and you have the secret of his sue.
cess, as well as the imperfect portrait
ure Of a man more truly sui generis
than any Of his profession, if not Of
his time. Out Of such a wealth Of
material, proper education and train.
ing might readily have moulded a
great nan in any Of the higher walks
of life, and it is we'll within the range
of possibility that, with grace to CON
tinue steadfast in the faith, he may
become
A MIGHTY PRoPAGAToR OF THE COS
PEI.
AS a member of the church militant
he would also be most redoubtable,
for not only is he worthy to be ranked
with Ney, as the bravest of the
brave" but as a physical and fight
ing wonder he Outranks such celebri.
ties as Bill Poole or Yankee
Sullivan, though without the offensive
pugnacity of either. He is about )
feet 8 inches in height, and weighs
about 100 pounds; being far from
the giant form, and yet a condensed
Hercules in strength, and still 1.-the
as a leopard. He has doubtless had
more personal encounters than any
other living man, and came off yicto-
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