Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-17

circus is written by this man. He makes
the wording for all the posters and Autographs
among other things. The special faculty which
earns him whopping big salary is his dex-
terity In handling large and effective words,
| the importance of whichin circus advertising Is
not to be over estimated. He works all the year
round, accommodating adjectiferous verbiage by
| the quantity in winter to put forth in the &C
| tive season. The second advance agent travels
two weeks ahead Of the show and does nothing
but
MAKE CONTRACTS FOR ADVERTISING.
1t is part of this mans business to know
absolutely the circulation Of every important
paper in the United States. He goes to the man
ager and says: "You have so many thousand
subscribers; will pay you 30 much per thou
sand for given amount OF space. linus ne
always gets his moneys worth. The third ad-
vance agent il always two days ahead OF
the circus, and 1t is his duty to see that the
desired notices go into the papers during these
two days-for otherwise the editors might Tor
get them at the last moment-and to supply
anything supplementary that may be requisite.
With the show when it reaches town comes
the 'press agent" whose task 1t Is to look after
the newspapers in the interest OF the circus
while it is in the city. He distributes tickets
literally among reporters and editors and in
vites them out to the grounds. with an eye
to complimentary paragraphs. If the boys are
hungry, the press agent waves his hand and,
10! feast is spread; if they are thirsty, he
shouts for the drinks. Frequently, in conse-
quence of this continual shouting, he
cannot help becoming much fatigued. On an
average, press agent lasts about three years,
then the show loses him by spontaneous COM
bustion.
Such a circus as the one described has in con-
nectlon with 1t no less than three huge cars,
which are, in fact, good-sized printing and
hthographing establishments on wheels. Each
OF these cars has thirty workmen on board and
a boss in charge Of it. One Of them always
travels two months ahead of the show, another
one month ahead and the third two weeks
ahead. All the Autographs, hand bills,
posters and other such advertising matter are
prepared on board and the circus is in this way
rendered independent of outside printing es-
adjustments. It costs 81, 500 a day to run q
travelling amusement establishment Of the
kind that has just left Washington.
NERO BEHIND THE SCENES.
The introduction of historical spectacle, with
elements Of opera and ballet, as an addition to
the circus, evidently marks the beginning of a
new era in the business. writer for The
STAR was accorded the privilege Of seeing Rome
burn from behind tie scenes night before
last, and he found the view exceedingly
interesting. Making his way, under the
escort of the press agent through break
in the lilies" he found the whole space behind
the Nero procession was on the point of start
ing-filled with Pretorian guards in armor,
beautiful slaves, Nubians, gentlemen Of the
mob and more particularly ballet girls The
last named were in great state of perturba-
ton at the moment on account of q hop
toad. Doubtless they would have pulled up
their skirts had they had any on worth
mentioning; but as it was they simply skipped
about prettily, expressing their alarm by cries
of "Oh-la, lan Then came the prompter's
call, and a company of them marched out and
along the Roman street before the audience,
waving golden olive branches.
''Vestal virgins ON deck!" was next the
prompters cry, and gorgeous chariot,
drawn by six milk-white horses, came humping
over the rough ground out of a tent immedi-
ately IN the rear, which provided accommoda-
ton for the vehicles. Half dozen charming
young ladies were seated upon the chariot,
guarding the sacred and eternal fire that blazed
in a brazier. A company of Pre-
torian guards with superb helmets and
shields followed the vestals out into
the arena and then another call obliged 100 OF
the ballet girls who had been making circle
around the hop-toad to form in line and march
out IN their turn, waving silver olive branches.
Six stalwart Nubians next took upon their
shoulders a litter in which was luxuriously
borne pleasing young woman, who was kind
enough to explain that
SHE WAS FAvoRIrE SLAVE.
Next came more Pretorian guards and then
the great four-horse chariot of Nero came
dashing out of the vehicle tent recklessly
that one of the men at the horses heads came
within an ace of being crushed against post
at the entrance to the Roman street. More
soldiers came after and so on.
1t was very interesting to look out from be-
hind the scenes while the ballet was in pro-
gress upon the great sea Of human faces. One
could have gazed with pleasure upon the spec
tacle for longer time from that point of view;
but the time came for the attendants in the
m n
and the show was over.
Few people were able to translate the sur
prising Latin inscription conspicuously dis
played on the outside Of one Of the Roman
monuments. 1t read: "Um Nero. Pinxitibus
Borit. Bobinusitus Vilexit Delft. Coronfit
Percyrius Erxit. Remus Romulus Fectus Ex-
eterit Avs. Det." Maybe you can translate it.