The sun., 1888-12-30
r 4. BlRHUN,S VIII.

| He Bequeaths Us the show Forever. asd
| Incidentally speaks Well or II.
"Yes, sir. I have made my will, and, what
is more. 1 have had It probated; 4 measure OF
precaution should urge upon every man OF
| wealth" said P. T. Barnum yesterday. Il did
| 1t as a means Of perpetuating my Greatest
Show on Earth and I have persuaded my
equal partner, Mr. J. A. Bailey. TO do likewise.
| in order that nothing may possibly arise in tho
| future to defeat that very laudable purpose. l
shall continue to adopt everyipossible earthly
| means OF continuing my show for years to
come. despite the false reports OF envious per-
| sons to retire me from the business long before
intend to give up. I shall never give up my
show. sir-that is. as long as live-and want
that thoroughly understood.
DO you think I have any other object in
life? Did 1 not on two different occasions re-
fuse to permit my name to be used as u candi-
date for President in order that might not be
diverted from strictly attending to the interests
Of my show and carving ont the vast improve
was the circus business before / and my pros
ent partner began the series Of improvements
sScw n
it: rendered It more moral. and instructive.
II repeat sir. In answer to your question.
stances will I ever abandon the idea OF CON
tinuing my show. It is the real object and am
UltiOu vi anu INC improvements yearly
benefit Of millions, Of children. Do you know.
Well. sir. my show teaches the youth OF the
country what the schools do mot.
ton now. but you can say that have made
that fund has BEEN set aside for that express @
II am now nearly 80 years of age. fifty years
Of which have bRfn enfiraly davDfan tn ha
be sure. have reaped some peeuniary advan-
served. have too much confidence in the
good sense of my country people. ever to believe
goltical judicial. or literary. to 70 unrewarded.
They know and have recognized my worth as a
sna in
PRESENT ene @ Well you Know xoa am g Sett1ee hse soo
clock scheme: and so long as stick to my show
shall never lose again. Besides. don't want
ali In want n and Ia al G'a ssa have. my sh0" Is
Made my will OF course have but no
want everybody to know that. so that after
am gone the people Of this
that am still with them In spirit. and that NO
rival manager may say what has been falsely
tsrest in my OWN show No % interest," naxe IN G0 my
own show! What have ! been doing for fifty
years past Sir, II had no interest IN my show
/ have had and still have the greatest Of all
shows. Nothing to compare with 1t at any
Just think. Sir. What King or potentate Of
old ever had SO great an opportunity of seeing
SO many wondBrful objects ut one time as
show the most ordinary person for fifty cents?
Why: history In such a matter amounts to
nothing. for II records no parallel. When
Caesar triumphantly entered Homo he brought
with him In miniature models Of the cities he
conquered and specimens OF the strange peo-
pies he oyerthrew. with the animals found in
those countries, and the paseant was O great
one. Do not show more in the free street pa
rade Of my show than he did2 Do not exhibit
In my monster tents, for q small admission
price. moro than Csnsar himself ever saw or
any OF his contemporaries?
Yes. sir. my Will has been made and to
stand. too: that is why had IL probated while
no one could question my sanity. There is a
point in that, as well the clause expressly
providing for the perpetuity of my show /
want to continue to show the people greater
things than any earthly potentate ever thought
OF seeing and for the smallest price In short
am more OF benefactor to the people than
every ono eopeedes Is the only great instructor.
next to my show. that can be found. and our
journals are better than those OF any other
country and are read more. Just as my show is
better and more largely patronized.
NOW. sir, trust 1 have satisfied you on all
points but II there are any other matters per-
tanning to my will that you would like to know.
L shall be glad to inform You OF them"