Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-09

"a n the bus ness that vii be
used in theregular eNhi-
billions have been hung
in order that the performers daring deeds
will thrill the hearts OF prospective and
enees may become thoroughly familiar with
the bars and ropes whose stability and
drmness are the barriers between them
aad disaster. The spirited steeds on which
the gauzy queens Of the charmed circle
viii pirouetie are daily being exercised by their
riders, while clowns. shorn Of their gaudy raj
ment are seriously engaged in the trying ope-
ton Of falling down hard.
How these people have cultivated their mus
cles and joints TO the requisite condition of elas-
tlelty and looseness and how they have acquired
the power of maintaining their equipoiss while
sailing through the air or standing on the
shining Hank of a lerse is often wondered at
From the little child who submits to being Jug
gled on his fathers feet to the mass of muscle
ana sinew who hangs TO spider-web cords far
up IN the huge tent IL Is the result Of constant
training that begins with youth and ends only
With retirement from the profession
METHODS OF TRAINING.
The manager OF the show yesterday explained
the methods used in making acrobats. both in
this country and in Europe.
''ltwas formerly" said the manager "a fixed
belief by those unacquainted with the circus
that only the descendants of performers were
admitted into the business. and while this is
not strictly true. the fact that the ranks are 20
a large extent recruited from the children of
professionals Is clearly established. AssociA-
ton and the prospects of the large Inducements
always offered TO successful artists combine to
retain them in profession TO which they are in
measure adapted before reaching an age at
which they might possibly choose otherwise.
On the other hand parental horror of the cir
Gus Restraints outsiders from coming an until
they are too old to acquire the requisite deK.
terity.
The old school and lite methods have been
left far behind in the improved manner Of in
struction. Machinery has been introduced to
aid m sensational gymnastics and the more
dangerous feats are 70 surrounded by sale
guards that instruction in them is no longer
the appalling task that II once was The time
was not long ago when the gymnast in case of
a slip, had no alternative but terrible fall and
II was only those possessed OF strong arm
quick eye and marvellous self-control who at
tempted the more hazardous feats. NOWADAYS
slip or fall. either IN practice or exhibition
is but trihe. for the strong nets below are
ready. and all that Is required is q knowledge
OF how to alight This. In itself. is no mean
accomplishment, as learners will testify. Ii
was from these accidental falls that gymnast
learned that the net could be used TO make the
head-foremost dive, which was at one time
looked on the triumph Of star performers,
hut is now common that even third-raters
finish with it.
HUMANITY SCORES A POINT.
'Eiders and acrobats deserve high salaries
as it requires the undivided attention OF their
early years to become more than mediocre.
Gymnasts require much less time TO become
proficient, but require much more pluck
than either riders or acrobats. as great
self-control is necessary to feel Mt hon
at giddy height, power thas
many fail to acquire. Many become ca
ceedingly proficient in their exercises on the
horizontal bar near the ground, but when IL
comes TO repeating them high up by the roof
of the tent they can do no more than hold on,
and that with difficulty.
1.-The new mode Of teaching il more humane
than that which obtained years ago and gives
the pupil confidence at once. The children
who we're to be taught eauestrianism were
formerly fitted with a unge belt In other
words a strong web belt fastened round
the waist, ami TO this was attached one
end OF a long cord, the other being in
the hand of the teacher touching mp
the horse with the whip ami calling out his in
structions TO the pupil III the pupil fell of
the saddle next the ring fence be lay suspended
over the horses back. that is. If the instructor
pulled in the stack rapidly. II he didn't, then
the pupil got q fall IL the pupil fell toward
the center, he was generally hauled in and fell
on the sawdust
THE MODERN MACHINE"
ih tho hodcfu "cthoa VI u luuHc
belt' what is called the machine is used.
This consists Of n pole placed erect in the
middle of the ring. with arm projecting
the body of the horses On the end OF
this arm is fastened a pulley, through which
runs the cord that is fastened 20 the usual
belt around the waist of the pupil This er-
tended arm Is delicately adjusted and revolves
with the learner while on the horses back
Then, il there is n fall the horse merely passes
from underneath and the pupil is left sus-
pended IN the air.
''Acrobats while learning are protected in
much the same manner until they have ac-
quired sufficient proficiency TO turn double
somersaults from height. aud when they have
become adept there ID some one to catch them IN
case OF miss even in public. Ii would not pay
to have performer hurt before an audience
for the effect produced is bad, in addition
to the loss of the injured mans services ana
the risk of not being able TO replace him soon.
The gentleness that ID practiced with pupil
in this country Is, unhappily, not the rule IN
Europe. The crusade that has been started in
England against the system OF apprenticing the
learner to an instr uctor has been caused by the
i'll treatment the pupils received at their hands.
The movement has obtained such force that
committee Of members of parliament APP
pointed to investigate the matter. They re-
quested George D. Starr, the press agent OF
this show, to appear before them and
give them the benefit Of his knowledge on the
subject He wentand was questioned IN a man
ner that caused him TO think he was being
made game Of His supposition be found to be
incorrect, SO he made address on the
methods employed here, which was . surprise
and revelation 10 them.
MORALITY OF CIRCUS LIE.
Gas regards the morality Of circus life the
occupation OF the performers forbids that
they should indulge in dissipation Of any kind.
Even if inclined in the direction Of vice, they
have no time to indulge in IT. On the road
they rise at seven or eight O'Clock, leave the
sleeping car and breakfast at a hotel and have
a morning rehearsal. Then comes dinner, the
afternoon performance and supper. Then
the evening performance, and at IL O'Clock, or
an hour and q half after they are through
work. they must be in the car again or Q sevsss
fine is imposed.
In winner the stars 60 TO Europe and per-
form in the heated circus buildings or stay at
home and practice IL is . hard life, but il il
as good as any other honest calling. and can
not recollect a single scandal that has been
proven to lie at the door Of circus actor.