Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-06-19
MOBILITY AsD sAWDUST.
Athletic Representatives OF France Make Their
Appearance In the Ring


cabiegram to the New York Hcrdid
says: The Duchesse Dues grand charity
amateur circus performance came of at the
Nouveau Cirque, Paris, with splendid ecidL
No circus in the world ever contained amore
aristocratic or more iashionably dressed
audience than that which assembled to wit
ness the athletic representatives of the French
nobiesse disporting themselves in silk tights
on bare backed horses, parallel bars aud in
mid-air.
The house was resplendent with fairy-like
toilets, delicious hats, diamonds, rubies en-
eralds, pearls, sparklin eyes, radiant hair
and smiling faces. The prevailing colors OF
the dresses were pale blue, cream, lilac,
white and lavender. Here and there the
scarlet coats of the stewards, in hunt ball cos
tune, cleaned forth like poppies in field of
ripe wheat.
In the boxes and fauteuils were the ROYAL
Highnesses Prince Henri d'Orleans, the
Prince OF SAKE Coburg and Gotha, the
Duchesse dues, the Duchesse de la Roche
foucauld, the Duchesss de Maille, the
Duchesse de la Tremouille, the Duchesse de
Richelieu, the Princesse de Sagan, the
Duchesse d'Albufera,. the Princesse de
Branconsn, the Marquise de Gillifet, the
Comtesse de Montequieu, the Comtesse de
Benedetti, the Nicointesse dc Grefulhe, the
Baronne Solomon de Rcthschid, the
Baronne Alphonse de Rothschid, the Com
tesse de Pourtales, the Comtesse de Potocka
and all the gTdadeS mOHddHcs of Partisan
society.
The programmes, which were elaborate
works of art, were designed by Jacquet, the
great portrait painter. The perior nance
began by NJ. Molier dashing into the ring on
thoroughbred chestnut aud executing with
precision, to the accompaniment of the full
band OF the Tsgane musicians, all the tours
de force OF the hdute ecOic. Atlerward three
young noblemen on English hunters
bounded into the ring, each striving to
snatch rose from the others left shoulder.
NJ. Mollier, who is perhaps the best circus
rlder IN the world, then swept gracefully
into the arena standing erect, in full evening
dress, pearl studs and silk hat, on the bare
backs of three white Norman sttllons. Then
suddenly, like an apparition, Mile Viola, the
charming danseuss OF the opera, in full
ballet costume, jumped froman cyirude upon
Nj. MoliIers shoulders amid thunders of ap-
plause. The voluptuously beautiful dan
seuse then capered about in company with
M. Moliier on the backs of the Norman stall
lions, going at full gallop.
With gazelle-like bound she stood erect on
Nj. Molliers thigh and achieved the plastic
poses Tor which she Is famous on the stage,
and in the twinkling OF an eye she was down
again on the white backs Of the stations, eN-
ecuting a pas seal with the same confidence
as It on the solid boards of the opera Bravos
and cheers rose from all sides and NJ. Mollier
the danseuse and the stations disappeared,
from the ring amid the showers of thousands
OF tea roses.
iho Nohlc uc Ia IsbNnOutdulu anu NJ.
dArquain Niliier then executed brilliant
ana perilous acrobatic feats. The trapeze
clowns OF noble lineage then appeared, and
were succeeded by other noblemen, who
fenced on thoroughbred horses with great
ectdt.
The final feature of the performance proved
tremendous success. The entire ilOor OF
the ring disappeared and was replaced by a
miniature lake fifteen feet deep In the
middle of this lake was placed a small India
rubber island. On the island two young no.
blemen, whose ancestors were officers of the
French Royal Guards at Fontenay, engaged
In Japanese wrestling, and flung one another
into the water. Other gentlemen in laven-
der and white tights turned somersets from
a spring board over the vast eXpanse of
water-many of these daring gentlemen
splashing head first into the miniature lake
Other amateur clowns dressed as cocotteS
were tossed by amateur policemen into the
water amid peals of laughter.
The sixty stewards who ushered the audi
ence to their seats all wore scarlet dress coats,
and the amateur ring attendants were clad in
gorgeous scarlet tunics with blue tacings,
Duskins and top boots. This amateur per-
formance certainly y surpassed any professional
one. The riding was better, the horses were
better, the gymnastics better, and the clown
business was reduced to that happy point
where 1t could amuse without boring