Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-10
THE BIGGEST SHOW ON EAErH.
Many Thousands Visited the Barnum &
Bailey Circus Lat Night.

Bailey Circus Last Night.
The immense crowd that filed the vast tents
Containing the Barnum & Bailey circus last
night proved the popularity Of that class Of en-
tertainment when presented in the most COM
Plete and artistic manner. Every grade of
society was represented. Foreign min
listers, Senators, Representatives and OFF,
Gals Of every grade sat with ladies Of
recognized position in society and children
who are being brought up in the most luxurious
manner. Side by side with these were the gov
eminent clerks and their families. the business
man. the mechanic and the laborer, each with
his wife and children. all either comfortably
seated or waiting 70 be shown their seats, 80
that they might witness the greatest show on
earth.
Long before the hour for the opening Of the
exhibition tent every reserved scat had been
taken. and those who expected to secure seats
at the grounds disappointed. The crowd
was so great that even before the commence
ment of the performance the sale even Of adj
mission tickets WIS stopped and several thou
sand were turned away. although many OF
them begged admission, expressieg their viii
hngness to stand.
Prom the moment one passed the doorkeeper
there n constantly changing scene Of won
der and interest. In the menagerie tents there
were animals of every description, many OF
them the rarest specimens ever seen In capuv-
ity. The largest tiger ever seen out
side jungle paced to and fro
in his narrow cage and dashed
his tail. inpatient of the restraint put upon
him. but POwerless to alter his condition.
There were also tiny tiger cubs. looking like
good-sized kittens and apparently as harmless,
but containing the germ of all the ferocity
of their kind There splendid group
of lions, noble, majestic, powerful, the ROYALTY
of the animal kingdom. Then there was
grizzly bear heavy. sleepy looking. but with a
wicked eve betraying his yicious disposition.
.'It is believed" said MT. Frank Perly, who WIS
explaining the characteristics of the different
animals 10 STAE reporter, that II
there should be a contest between this
grizzly and our biggest lion the bear would
get the best of 1t. for he would
stand upon his hind legs and ward off blow
with his fore paws until he could get an oppor-
tunity to get grip, and then he would hug the
life out OF the lion The latter, you know,
doesn't seem to have any knowledge of de-
Tense: he just simply attacks by brute force.
The bear Is pugilist and will box with his adj
versary until he gets a chance for body blow
a clinch-"
Then there we're the splendid herds Of ele-
plants, dromedaries, camels. ponies, the hair
less horse, the sacred cows. animals of every
description. scores Of monkeys. a male ostrich
and long array too numerous to mention. but
each of which attracted attention and was
eagerly inspected by the crowd
IN THE EXHIBITION TENT.
Within the mammoth exhibition tent the
scene was a unique one. The seats were filled
with people, while many of those who had
simply bought admission tickets were wander
ing aImlessly around in the vain effort to find
resting place. The opening pageant brought
before the audience all the resources OF the
arena and gave an indication of the immen-
sity Of the display. Then came the ring per-
fOrmances in three rings and two stages, intro
ducing the very cream of the circus profession.
Beautiful horses. highly trained ponies, per-
forming cats sheep and mules. and elephants, !
from the dwarf Tom Thumb to the monster
Mandarin. all contributed to the pleasure of the
crowd. and each act loudly ap-
plaUded. The graceful acrobatic feats by
the most accomplished gymnasts thrilled the |
audience. although easy and confident were |
the performers that the real danger of their |
work did not seem to be apparent. The riding
was excellent. particularly the acts of Miss Mar |
garet Doris, VIM. O'Dale and p. W. Harlow. !
The races of intense interest and fifty !
closed the regular ring performance.
THE SPECTACULAR EXHIBITION.
Imre Kiralys spectacle of Columbus or the |
Discovery of America revealed what it is pos
sible to do in the way of gorgeous effect when !
no limit is put upon the expense. The scenic !
arrangements. the magnificent costumes. the |
large ballet, the great chOruses. the royal pro- !
cessions. al revealed an ingenuity in construc
tion. q careful attention to detail and
a knowledge of ensemble that was
q revelation to the audience: but |
everything was represented with fidelity to |
detail and effect that WAS wonderful and when !
the long procession filed out Of the arena and |
the audience realized that the entire entertain /
ment was concluded there was but one express |
ion. viz: That this was 1.-THE biggest show on |
earth
PERFECT DISCIPLINE.
There was one thing that struck the thinking |
man last night. and that was the perfect disci- |
pline that pervaded every department of this /
great aggregation. Each set of employees have !
their own particular duties to perform and do |
not interfere with those of any other set Each |
act in the ring moves ike elockwork. and |
there is no confusion. no matter how |
many there may be performing at once. !
The head of each department Is held respon- |
sible for those under him. whether he be in |
charge of u wagon train or of the whole arenie |
display. AL these subOrtlina.es feel their re- |
sponsibility to one head-Mr. j. A. Bailey. 1t |
Is his marvellous executive power that has so |
perfectly organized the great army OF people |
under him. Modest and unassuming. but ever |
vigllant and thoughtful. he sits at the en-
trance and nothing escapes his notice. All diff
eulties are referred to him and his decision is |
prompt and irrevoeable. The public are now |
willing to accept the fact, that an open |
secret before, that for the past ten years. even !
during the latter part of the life of Mr.. Bar |
mum, Mr.. Galley was the moving spirit, the |
energetic promoter and the active manager of |
the great circus that known as
Barnums- While the great Snowman |
was alive he received the credit of |
furnishing the public the amusement which |
they craved. Now that Mr.. Barnum il dead |
and the show that called his still continues !
not only with its luster undimned but with an |
increase of beauty and far greater in extent |
the honor and credit Of the work must be given /
To Nr. Bailey The tent this afternoon was
again crowded and it Is anticipated that the last
performance tonight will test the capacity of |
the canvas. Bsarnrm & Baileys show comes |
but once a year and everybody wants to see it.