The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-07-16
BARNuM's CIRCUS.
A Good Day and First-Rate Show
Enjoyed.


The name of Barnum is synonym for the
best entertainment in the circus and menag-
erie line, or, more properly speaking, for the
most complete collection of almost all popu-
lar classes of entertainment embraced under
one canvas. Not only that but so careful is
the great Snowman, and his partners, Messrs.
Bailey and Hutchinson, that everything
connected with the performances shall
be clean and wholesome, that the very
best people in the country crowd the
great tents. This fact was especially illus
trated yesterday afternoon when the re-
served seats were, if that were possible,
more crowded than the others, and among
those present we noticed several of our lead
ing clergymen with their families. In fact
Barnum is great leveller. At his hippo
drome gather the leaders in society, and the
barefoot boys who work hard for the money
to purchase their tickets.
The greatest show ON earth does not differ
materially year after year except in matter
OF detail The procession was perhaps not
quite as large as usual this year, but it was
large enough, the horses and animals were
OF the best, and the troops of elephants and
SteiiiOic VI SlCdt olZc. Otlueu CudTlULS OIL every
shape and design succeeded each other in
fast succession; the open dens of beasts,
with their keepers by their side, caused the
rustic mouth to open wide in sheer amaze
ment; the ponies and performing stations
elected expressions of admiration; and the
various groups of odd nationalities on the
tops of the. cars, created no end of remark
The tshow under canvas was admirable
and satiating in its variety Perhaps no lit
tie OF the press enjoyment was due to the
press agent, Mr.. Perley, who succeeds
Dave Thomas in that capacity. Mr. Perley
was not only attentive and courteous, he
was more. He devoted himself to the pro-
fession. He didn't let anything escape
them. Everything from the history of the
performers to the $4,000 paid annually by
Barnum in damages to people who insist in
leaving the tent before the races are ended,
and consequently get knocked down by the
racers, was narrated. Besides the circus
proper he invited the press gang to "take
in the concert afterwards, which invitation
was promptly accepted, as is usual with the
fraternity, and an excellent variety enter
tainment it was.
" 10 uupoSSlulc III the space at our COM
mand to go through an extended account of
all that was interesting. The performing
elephants; the Trakene and Ukraine stall
lions; the high and lofty tumbling; the
walking by the bare-footed Japanese girl on
sharp sword-blades; the high wire descent,
holding on by her teeth, of Mile. Zarah; the
clown elephant; the Jeal sisters riding acts
the snake charmer; Coyle and Dorr in their
balancing feats; the performing goat: these
were but few of the best The rings were
very soft, and the track bad for the horse
back riding and the races We still hold
to the opinion that the three rings are
mistake. The eye fails to ''eatch on" prop
erly to much that is wonderful from the con-
fusion thus created.
Jumbo and the white elephant in the outer
tent, and "Jo-Jo," the dog-faced boy, drew
great crowds of the curious. The circus band
was one of the best heard for long time
and played all the newest and most popular
music