The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-17

The circus draws. and II the exhibition
yesterday Is reproduced by other circus
managers. there can be no reasonable cayil
raised against all circuses drawing. Soon
in the morning yesterday II was evident
that something exciting mad walked Rich
mond and the surrounding country up to
an early breakfast. Curious old vehicles,
dusty with age and rusty with dsusc,
rumbled over the cobble-stones Of the
streets. Seated in them were venerable
mothers who have for years set to the
world blessed examples by their pious
walk and godly conversation blooming
damsels with red lips, and roguish eyes,
and carnation-tinted checks, looking so
pure and bright that unfortunate old bach
clors held their breath and bewailed their
lonely condition and lost lovabeness; and
fathers whose hands had wrenched from
Mother Earth an honest living.
All sorts and sizes OF people were COM
ing into town. and town people were stir
ring betimes, the rich not disturbed as to
the source from whence the price OF
ticket should come, but the poor, alas in
order to laugh, they had first TO stint them
selves. and perchance it came about that
even then there were those left at home
that were made TO feel the GOODNESS OF
penury, the brooding over OF which unfor-
tunate condition was made doubly painful
by the contrast with the fun and frolic the
more lucky enjoyed.
The circus did all this. Only the circus
could do il. And for hours the gaping
crowd stood on the sidewalks along Main
and Broad streets waiting for the street.
parade. This when II came off showed
creditable exhibit. 4 veteran observer OF
such affairs remarked that the horses were
the fineSt-looking that he had ever seen.
When the callope passed up Main street
PLAYING q brisk air an honest son OF Old
Erin remarked. as he discerned through
the steam and smoke the pretty face OF q
dark-haired girl who was operating the in
strument, " AM sure she's in a hot place
now" The canvas at the afternoon per-
Torrance was filled 10 its fullest. and the
general verdict OF the large audience ac-
corded entirely with that Of remarkably
bright little boy Of seven or eight years OF
age, who, when asked by his grandfather
il this circus was as good a. others he had
attended, laconically responded,
"Bettcr."
One thing about Barrctt's entertainment
cOmrcnds it most highly. There were no
profanc cXpreSsions-not one during the
whole time the show lasted; no vulgarity,
no doutle entcadreS-nothing to disgust re-
fined people.
In the matter OF acting. everything Is
much above the common ordcr-the riders,
horses, and actors showing careful train
ing. Many OF the actors are stars, and
some OF the performances are entirely novel
and new. Notably in this last class Is the
performance on the tight-rope, in which Il
young woman prOpels herself on "A bycicle
along a small rope in mid-air, with a man
pendant TO the vehicle. \ striking feature
is the horseback ri ling Of Miss Viola Riy-
erS. She made a capital figure on her train
ed ,tecd Khcdiye. The acting OF this fine
horse was wonderful.
The animals were the fattest and sleckest
that perhaps have been seen with circus
/ for years, and the ncnagcric can safely be
voted one OF the most interesting parts Of
this excellent show.
The tour Of the kitchen and stables
showed the most perfect cleanliness and
excellent management. and makes 1t safe to
say that the circus people Of Barrett's Show
are certainly long way above the average
class OF people found on the road. 4 great
| deal OF this result Is due to Mr.. Wills
| Cobb, courteous gentleman. and one OF
/ the most excellent managers that travels.
| He is everywhere during the performance,
and strives to insure every ones enjoy
ment. The show goes to Petersburg from
/ here.