St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-09-09
IT'S A "CORKER."
Barnum's Great Show Fairly Out
BarnumS Rarnum

Barnum's Great Show Fairly Out
Barnums Barnum.
Barnum's circus, if the great COM
biuation of circus. menagerie, hippo
drome and spectacle can be called a
circus merely. There were some pow
erful counter attractions, such as State
Fair, Exposition, Pompeii spectacle,
base ball, to say nothing of three thea
tiers; but, nevertheless, the largest cam
vas that has ever been spread in the
history of the country was crowded in
the afternoon. In fact, people were
turned away at both perform
ances, and reserved seats were
all sold early in the afternoon. The
seating capacity of the tent is said to be
over $4,000, and at least $4,000 people
must have been present afternoon and
evening, as many stood. while in the
evening several thousand were turned
away, unable to procure admission.
The parade in the morning was very at
tractive. The resources of the great
show are such that it is not necessary to
include all the wagons and parapher-
MALTA. Only about one-third of the
menagerie wagons were in the process
sion, but these were all thrown open
so that the parade was quite
an entertainment of itself. The
feature of the parade was
equality, not quantity" There were
no cheap flannel costumes, no bedrag
gled tinsel finery. or dingy decorations.
Everything was bright, clean and at
tractive. There were nearly 300 horse
back riders in the line in scarlet coats,
high hats, and the little item that the
suits cost $40 each, shows the liberality
that is shown in the expenditure. The
animals all seem well fed and we'll
cared for. The display of well-groomed
horses was magnificent. There
were panorama cars. chariots,
three bands, elephants. camels,
and Zebras in harness, steam calliope
open cages of splendid specimens of
wild beasts, and everything that goes to
make up such parade in profuSion;
and everything was of the BEST Even
the employees seemed of a superior
order, and the tough" circus follower
was conspicuous by his absence. AS to
the great show itself, no one can say it
is 1.-The same old thing.". There is the
usual grand entry, and then follows the
circus proper, in which three rings are
employed. introducing all sorts of aero
batic, equilibristic feats, trained aui-
mails, etc. Equestrian feats abound in
prOfuSlOn, among which may be men
toned those of Frank Melville and Ro-
sta de la Plate. And then there were
flying trapeZe performances, wire
walking, Juggling. lofty tumbling, and
Heaven knows what. Then came the
hippodrome with exciting races. The
spectacle of Nero at the Destruction of
Rome" however, proved to be an inno-
Walton that was remarkable. One side
of the great canvas is hung with
scenery representing the city of Rome.
The entire arena. not the rings merely,
is carpeted. The drama is enacted en-
tirely in pantomlme, and begins with a
scene representing the return of Nero
from the Olympian games of Corinth.
followed by representation of the
imperial fete day. Then comes
triumphal procession, introduce
ing all the natiOnalities tributary
to Rome. The costuming is gorgeous,
and at least thousand people appear
in the procession. Next follow the
chariot. elephant, camel races, etc.
three grand ballets which are well
executed. Calcium lights make the night
scene dazzling one. A strong vocal
chorus was another feature. and alto
gether the spectacle, which winds up in
a glory of colored light, flashing armor
and waving limbs, has the virtue of
being both unique and impressive. The
immense audiences were vastly pleased,
and the applause was hearty and fire.
quent. Not the least creditable feature
was the dexterity with which the great
crowds were handled, and the uniform
politeness of the attendants. This aft
ernoon and evening the performance
will be repeated. and then the great
show goes to st. Paul. There will be no
parade this morning.