National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-19
THE GREAT SHOW
UNDER THREE ENORMOUS. TENTS.
Living Curiosities in Groups-Spiendid Attractions
Chang, the Giant, and Tom Thumb-Ele-
plants Big and Little Kangaroos-
p. I. Barnum HIMSELF

| living curiosities the most stupendous combina-
ton of arenic attractions, the most gigantic or
! ganization ever placed upon the road, being the
consolidation of three large and distinct companies
into one grand unity, which has been justly
| denominated "The Greatest Show on Earth, ~
with the experienced veteran, P. 7. Burnum,
at its head, gave its first performance in
| Washington. The above language is in the
| high sounding style Of the flaming hand
bills which heralded the approach of Barnum's
Circus and Menagerie and yet, after having in
| spected the multitude and variety of the natural
curiosities and witnesSedthe two hours exhibition
in the vast tent in which three rings are con-
stantly occupied by skilful artists, it can har Oily
be said to be too extravagant to express the i'm
mensity of the exhibition.
Through the courtesy of Dr.. Thomas. the press
agent of Mr.. Barnum, representatives Of THE RE-
PUBLICAN and the other city papers were early on
the ground, and had an opportunity OF carefully
examining the large meuagerie, under the chap
eronage of the Doctor, who seems to know the
whole show. from
TOM THUMB
and his wife to the monster elephant Chieftain.
A pleasant chat was held with General Thumb,
and then step brought us to that long
drawn-out specimen from the Celestial En-
p;re, Chang, the Chinese giant. He is said
to be nine feet in height and the undersigned Is
inclined to believe 1t, for he seemed more than
that. He is, differently from most giants, finely
propertioned, and is a good specimen of manly
physique. Going from these human eccentricities
we come to the massive OK, the giant sea-Eon, the
huge rhinoceros, the herd Of twenty camels of
various sizes, from the baby to the ones with the
full-sized hump; the long necked girafeS whom
Mr.. Hutchins said looked like Carl Sehu-z; the
twenty two hand high horse, and lions, tigers
leopards panthers, bears. kangaroos, monkeys
ostriches. and other things in great profusion
Among things never seen before is the
BABy KANGAROO,
who pops its little head out from the maternal
sac and looks around in wonder at the curious
sort of q world he has got into. Then there are
two cub lions about the size of young puppies,
who were playing III the cage like spo-tive kit
tens. On entering the vast tent in which the cir
Gus performances take place scene was witnessed
which certainly must have gladdened the heat of
the enterprising manager. With the exception of
the three rings there was nothing to be seen but
sea of heads, so closely were the people packed.
The character of the audience was quite notice
able embracing large number of the families of
the
DIPLOMATIC coRrs
Cabinet Ministers Senators and men of lesser note.
The grande eatree. which is the most complete and
elaborate that was ever witnessed, proved two
things-the large corps of performers and the fact
that Barnum has secured first-clasS band. Usu-
ally circus bands have uncertain, wheesey tone,
strong on the brass but weak in reed instruments.
This is large, exceptionally well balanced, plays
with skill, and the selections are good. Don't
know who the leader is, but he is musician and
capable director. The performance was
excellent; the tumbling, the leaping, the
wire walking, the trapeze acts, the Jug
Cling, the graceful and reckless riding,
the trained stations, performing oxen, and the
pTa foil On11iol Nv md
going at the same time that one could hardly fol-
low the different acts, and the only criticism that
could be made would be that-which is rarely
made upon circus-there was too much of it.
Among the many performers were Nine. Elsie
Dockrl, the empress of the arena Misses Cordina,
Emma Lake, Matte Benedict the French Troupe
Davene, Joseph Icons Rajodi troupe, Frank Mel
vile, the daring rider the Boisset brothers, and
others, whose names are not remembered. The
clowns are all funny but the silent man, who, like
the Lone Fisherman, wanders everywhere, in
every body's way, and don't say thing, caused
the most intense merriment.
THE VETERAN BARNUM
himself made his appearance in the ring, and in
a neat little speech, thanked the vast audience for
the patronage bestowed, and urged that the chit
dren and ladies should patronize the morning per-
Torrance TO- day. This is really the proper thing
to do and all ladies and children who can possibly
do so should certainly attend the morning enter
tainment. After the performance the city of tents
which surrounds the mammoth exhibition was
visited, the stock inspected, and their accom-
modations for cooking and living were looked into
The number of people employed in this immense
establishment can hardly be estimated, and, to
properly control and manage it effectively requires
almost the same order of executive skill as it does
to handle an amy.
THE CROWD LAST EVENING
was even greater than at the afternoon perform
ance and tickets were sold after half past
O'Clock. At that hour it was estimated that fully
Il. OOS persons were seated in the vast canvas
closure, yet so admirable Sssre the arrangements
that no disorder prevailed to mar the pleasure OF
any one. The first performance to-day VIII be at
ten o'clock this morning, and in order 10 accom-
modate the crowd the ticket-offiee will be opened
at nine o'clock. 1t has been decided to keep
the menagerie and tents open longer than usual
in order that every visitor may have time to in,
spect their contents. 1t hiss been found necessary
to increase the seating capacity of the large tent,
and, despite the crowd present last night, every
one was comfortably seated. General Sherman
and party of friends occupied seats in the pri-
vate gallery and evineed great pleasure at the