The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-16
THE CIRCUS.
A Grand Exhibition of the Won.
ders of Art and Nature.
Three Spacious Arenas Under the Roof of the
Largest Pavilion Ever Spread
in the City.

There were more than 5000 people in the
circus tents at Central Park last evening
more as John Robinson, the proprietor, tells
US. than he has ever opened to in this city
before. Vast as was the eXpanse of the
principal tent where the arenic perform
ances took place, there was, in TACT, some
difficulty in seating the pressing crowds
of people. and when all were placed they
presented, in whatever direction the
eye glanced, an Illustration of that trite
expression, "an upturned sea of faces"
The performance is honestly speaking,
good one aud well worth any persons time
and money. 1t has the fault Of being 'em-
barrassed with riches" and you cannot
readily take in during the course of one
performance the quick succession of novel
ties presented for observation and enjoy
ment. 1t requires, really, three visits to
this canvas town of wonders to make one
self master of all tn It may be seen there.
In The principal arena some notable skill in
horsemanship were shown by Mr.. Holland.
Mr.. de la Marck and his sister, Miss de Ia
Marck. Both the latter are run in natures
finest mold for such feats, ito witch the.
world by noble hOrsemanShip," being 1.-the
and willOwy in figure. and daring to de-
gree. Mr.. E. NJ Holland was also. in a
more stalwart sense splendid horseman,
NAL, and doing all his required work on the
''caballo," although there was no accord be-
tween the horse and its rider. In this respect
Holland may be said to have achieved a
double victory. While these equestrian
featS were going on in the principal arena in
the two others there were numberlesS other
tricks of skillful motion well worthy of COM
mendation, but which must be reserved for
future notice. Robinson, himself, is be-
wildered with the variety of the attractions
ha n q som h1a1 ahnnt him IN
when he looks into one of the arenas during
an act asks himself the question, us the man
who was father of twenty children did, I" Is
this one of mine?"
MISS KATIE HOLLOWAY,
The graceful equestrienne whom we remem-
Der when Chiarini introduced his remark
able equestrian establishment to our citizens
at the old lot on Jackson street, is now the
wife OF Mr. E. NJ. Holland, one of the prin-
cipal bareback riders of the establishment,
and has developed extraordinary skill In the
manege of the horse. She Is horse
woman not only OF grace and skill, but OF
most indOmitable courage, as her control
Of the magnificent animals evinced
last evening We recognized in the
firmness Of her seat, the strength of her
wrist, the grace of her pose in the most diff
cult situations. the teachings of her old
master, Chlarni, the most accomplished
hOrseman who ever entered an arena and
who sat q horse as if, like Centaur, he
were part of him. Miss Holloway s.act in
the management of two horses must be ac-
cepted as the chief equestrian feat of the
evening and one that all who love the pos
sibiities in the noble animal will be drawn
to see.
THE RACES.
The series of hippodrome races with
which the evening concluded is a wonder
fully fascinating feature OF the programme.
1t is called revival OF the classic sports Of
the ancient Roman curriculum" and full of
hair-raising contests of ali kinds. We must
take this statement with some grains of al
lowance, but, at the same tme the ques-
tions OF speed are full OF excite
posed, prizes are actually given for
the places of first, second and third at the
outcome. Originally the first only received
the prize, and when the struggle seemed in
favor of one before the race was concluded.
the others Jagged behind and the race lost
interest Now that more liberal rewards are
offered, there is emulation all through, and
even the audience catch the infection and
bet on the result. Some of the mounts
a ARE X RyentussS sGSFed saDes seS and fdu'seg eg
ride with the vim and purpose that one may
be expected to see at Sheepshead Bay.
There are races ridden and driven by ex-
perienced male and female and boy and girl
Jockeys and charioteers, Roman standing
races, Two and four horse Roman chariot
races, ladies' sensational steeplechases. trot-
ting races and hosts of other sensational
races such as wheelbarrow races, donkey
races, sack races, trap races, high-vaultinS
races, hurdle races, and almost any other
queer struggle for speed under difficulties
that one might imagine.
TAKEN AS A WHOLE,
John Robinson's ten shows combined into
one is a great success. When the audience
leaves the grand tent at the conclusion of
the racing season." there are hundred or
more novelties and specialties, not including
the rare and curious animals, to arrest and
ryet attention before they reach the street.
For families and children the best time to
see this complication of wonders in nature
and art is the afternoon. Ealf day must
be exhausted in enjoying the sights John
his canvas town at Central Park, on Market
street, and then all will not have been seen.