The record-union., 1892-07-05
SELLS Big CIRCUS.
Thousands of People Attend the Two
Performances.
Everything Was on a Grand Scale
Great improvements in the Mem
agerie and in the Rings.

The mammoth circus Of Sells Brothers,
besides participating in the parade yes
terday, gave two entertainments at Agri-
cultural Park, which surpassed any show
Of the kind ever seen here before.
Since its return from Australia the cir
Gus has been improved wonderfully in
all of the departments. The menagerie,
which was always better than any other,
is now much larger than it was when
here before, and far more interesting.
Among the collection Of wild beasts eX-
hibited are two immense Bengal tigers.
They were purchased while the circus
was abroad last year and are the largest
ever exhibited in America. 4 whole
drove of kangaroos, flock Of full-grown
and baby emus, and many other new and
wonderful beasts, birds and reptiles were
shown which were not with the circus
before.
The hippopotami were with the show
again, and as usual were the center Of
attraction. Sells Brothers have earned
worldwide reputation with these colossal
animals. ''Sid,' the clown elephant.
was along, too, and several other of the
best features Of the old circus.
The management has made its most
pronounced Improvement in the main
circuS-among the performers. Instead
of having q few tirSt-CI9SS artists and an
army of suffers" as they are called Ia
practice which most big circuses indulge
| in every performer this year is in the
front rank OF the business. This proved
quite refreshing, and that the immense
crowds which attended the performance
yesterday and last evening appreciated
the change was made manifest by their
frequent bursts Of applause.
rid hnfb nd Il
their daring work in finished and grace
full manner, although introducing moth
ing particularly new in their line.
But the gymnasts and acrobats were
the features. :
Particular among these was the Silbon
family OF trapezists. These performers
have been seen before in Sacramento, but
their work now is far superior to what it
was then. True, the elder Silbon was
missing, having died in Australia, but
his place has been filed by another Sill
bon who is every bit his equal. These
people do some most daring work. Wal
ter Silbon, for instance, swings on a long
trapeze distance of fully so feet, lets go,
turns double somersault and catches
his brothers hands, who is hanging head
down from another trapeZe. There is no
other trapeZist IN the business who does
this feat at every performance. Walter,
also, as a finish TO his part, turns triple
somerSault into the net below.
The famous Stirk family of trick BIZ
cyclists are with the circus, and won un-
stinted applause. They deserved it, for
they are without doubt the cleyerest peo-
pie in their line of business.
The mid-air horiZontal-bar act was one
of the best ever seen. All three per-
formers are experts, particularly the one
who does the clown work. He is i'm
mensely funny, taking some most ludi-
crous falls into the net, and yet he is a
finished performer.
The japanese family Of equilibrists,
jugglers and acrobats are with the show
again, and it is good thing that they are,
for they are the superiors of any who
have ever attempted to give similar en-
tertainment here.
There is a whole troupe of Arabian
tumblers and jugglers with the circus
who gave a remarkable exhibition with
muskets and swords and in acrobatic
work. The living statues given by the
celebrated Gilfort Brothers, was a splen-
did attraction, and so were the races,
which concluded the show
Everything connected with the circus
is done on grand scale. Two rings and
a stage are constantly occupied by per-
formers throughout the two hours of
entertainment. Turn where he will the
spectators eyes cannot escape seeing
something, The thousands who saw the
show will remember it with pleasure,
and go to see it when il comes again.