The Evening critic., 1882-05-02
AMUSEMENTS.
Barnum.s Great Show.

Yesterday afternoon and last evening the
immense circus, menagerie and series OF per-
formanceS OF the king OF the circus ring, Phin-
cas- Barnum, extended its acres of canvas over
the largest audience ever assembled together
in Washington. Fully $4,000 people were
present at each performance, and the charac-
ter Of the performances was such as merited
the immense audiences. For once In the his
tory OF circuses we have one which not only
completely fills the bill promised, but does
more. 1t actually has so many and extensive
attractions and varied attributes that the pro-
gramme printed and passed about lacks space
TO detail the same. Aside from the marvellous
acrobatic feats, Mile. Dockrill, the empress Of
the arena; tho wonderful Lulu, who is shot
through the air from the catapuit, a distance
of $50 feet, and Zazelle, who is actually fired
from cannon for distance of nifty feet the
hippodrome performances are alone worth a
travel OF miles to visit.
The gentleman's fiat running race is in
every respect as attractive as any on the turf.
1t is an earnest dead race and exceedingly eX-
citing. The ladies' race Is equally attractive,
and the four-horse Roman chariot race is OF
marvellous interest, as dashing and daring as
: when Maecenas, of proud birth and patronage
OF disposition, put up for the publication of
Horace's poems and setup drinks for the
boys Of q Sybarite disposition. The steeple-
chase is dashing, and the elephant race odd
attr active in Its oddity. Tho test of biped
swiftness against clean-legged thorough
bred, by Zulu, resulted yesterday in favor of
the African, who, with n start of about thirty
yards, be at the horse. The crowded columns
of our paper prevent us from giving as elab-
crate and detailed account of the famous
IL
undoubtedly is the finest the world ever Wit
messed, and is larger even, proportionately,
than its monster elephant Jumbo. 1t Is worth
all the other circuses In the world put to-
gether.
The Hoey-IEardia Company
were, greeted with good house at the Ma
tional last night. "a Child of the State" is an
unusually meritorious drama, and In the
hands of its present exponents is far above
the average of dramaic performances that
have been given here this season. The play
is We'll known, and needs comment. The
even excellence OF the company was particu-
larly noticeable. All the roles were taken with
life, spirit and u precision that called forth
loud and continuous applause. Mr.. Hardle as
the Count DeLancey proved himself u finished
actor. Mr.. Hoey as eros Rene is humorous
character, which keeps the audience in the
best of humor. He is not only q flne actor, but
must take rank with the leading dramatists of
me y, day. u The GeL.rdmae OF Signoraa a,d MaIeroni
Pierce as Marie was charming. Her line ap-
pearance and magnificent costume lend "a
all in all It is as near perfect as the most ex-
acting critic could ask for "a Child OF the
state" Will be repeated this evening.
Ford's Testimonial BeneGt.
1t is with sincere pleasure that We call at
tention to the Ford testimonial benefit, which
interesting event occurs ON the 9Th day OF this
month. AS the boys say, "Don't you forget itl''
Ford is n household word In Washington dra-
matte circles, and all levity aside, It is a name
which deserves to be so cherished. The senior
Ford early embarked In thorough work
offerings of the dramatic muse, and that at q
time when such venture was q brave under
taking, and when none but man OF pro-
Gounced personal character and skill could
have carried such u labor to success. Mr.. Ford
adorned the Capital of the Nation with the
only theatrical structure worthy of Washing
ton. Its untimely fate, written In the blood of
poor President Lincoln, Will always live as an
enduring art monument, consecrated by an
event, In consequence OF which Mr.. Ford most
uDJustly suffered In moment OF popular
frenzy and prejudice. Nothing In the buifets
OF fortune has ever daunted or deferred this
capable and energetic manager. II ever man
fought hard art fight and won q deserved
victory Mr.. Ford is that man.
His brother and nephew are among our mos
respected citizens, and whom, as now, they
como forward TO ask recognition at the hands
Of n Washington public for all tho expensive
work they have doae TO furnish Legitimate
amusement at any cost and ut any risk for Oul
citizens, they present an appeal TO the publ,
founded on absolute Justice.
During the past season the Messrs. Ford
have presented variety OF art unsurpassed OF
any stage. The tragic, dramatic gems OF Ital!
and songstors OF tnat bright clime have
through their enorts entertained us In charm
ing alienation with every grade Of the mos
popular artists. The heights and depthts 0
dramatic art have been sounded by them 70
our amusement, and its best representative
have appeared ON Ford 8 stage. The night o
the Sth instant Will witness genuine tribut
10 these gentlemen.
VIII be among the features of the night, an'
In new play. Everybody knows how II
fes1slDly fnnny no Is. Ana we hear
whispered that many equal attraction
Will cooperate 10 make the Ford testimonia
benefit fit art Offering from the Fords /
their friends and patrons In Washington. w
are pleased to learn that already the ticket
are being literally purchased. In fact tn
house VIII be rousing one. Everybody vii
be there, as the saying is, and with the res
Of the world, most OF our notables Will grac
the occasion.
Colonel Bain's Lecture.
Colonel George Balm, the eloquent Kentuck
temperance orator, VIII lecture this eyenin
ON ''The Safe Side % Life" at the C0ngregl
uonal Church, under the auspices OF III
Moman's Christian Temperance Union.
large audience should greet Colonel Balm q
he is ono Of the most fOrcible and oonylncln
speakers in America.
8IcO Reward for u Better Remed.
Williams Indian Pile Ointment Is posltiN
cure for piles. Get box OF your druggist an
suffer no more. Sold everywhere.
neOpening.
~. % g.