The morning call., 1893-04-20

ing by every means in our power the scene
Of the old Roman Coliseum, in surroundings,
scenery and even atmosphere" So spake
Mr.. Adam.
The arenie display opened last evening
with wonderful punctuality. So far the
show has exeeled in this respect There
have been none of those tiresOme waits that
characterize nearly all amateur and so many
professional performances. Shortly after
o'clock the band struck up the grand over
ture 10 "Fingaps Cave" by MendelSsohn.
and directly afterward in filed the process
sion announced by the mounted herald,
gracefully bestriding barebacked steed
and showing a pretty specimen of his eques-
TRAN powers S he galloped round the arena
and wheeling suddenly round stood in the
center, while he started echoes with his
horn.
a word OF praise should be given to the
herald, S. w. MorShead He halls from the
Preside, and the horse he rides in his own.
There is considerable affection between
"Duke"-as he is called-and his master.
Duke is a good-siZed bay, with an even tenn
per. betokening good digestion. de is
thoroughbred, too, and was imported to the
coast from pleasant pasture In Kentucky.
Like most Of the horses engaged, lie takes
a keen interest in the proceedings and
fairly trembles with mingled excitement
and pleasure when he stands looking on at
the games.
The procession is most edifying
spectacle. All the participants have been
excellently drilled, and file into their places
evenly and with measured stride. The
Nubiau slaves are feature OF the process
sion, and formed striking contrast to the
many-eOlored vsstments of the athletes.
Their scant attire does not seem to inc0n-
Venience them any, and they render yeoman
service in carrying ont the dead.
The sAcrifcial OK has at length succumbed
to discipline and consents to be dragged
around the arena once night He cannot
be said TO enjoy it, however, as he presents
a somewhat detected appearance. Per-
haps he has obtained Smattering of Roman
history, as he seems to be pondering all the
while. doubtless saying to himself, What
is TO be the upshot of all this? Why stn |
decked out like this. with my horns and tail
painted gold? Are these fellows having fun
with me, or do they really mean business
and intend to sacrifice me after the show is
Over9" And the unhappy beast heaves a
sigh as he thinks OF the peaceful pasture
lands of Berkeley.
Another point noticeable in the process
sion is the profuslon of Bohemian clubmen
in the ranks of the Senators. Does not the
Olympic Club number among its members
men If equal rank and venerable appear
ance?
Cesar makes striking figure as he stands
erect in his chariot of gold. And when he
passes out of the arena, and takes his place
In the imperial loge, he delivers his address
in resonant tones that lose none of their
cIearness from the strain be is compelled to
put upUE Ills fOlCc HI sdIlt Jli. dGu ME-
Schroeder as Caesar and LiVia look and act
their parts to perfection.
And so the games begin. In the pentath-
Ion welcome change has been made. In
place Of wearisOlne repetition of the
original procession each body OF athletes
enters the arena in its turn. The runners
enter running, the leapers and wrestlers
enter at a brisk walk and the diScDs-throw-
ers and javelin men lose no time in getting
upon the scene IF their exercises. Then
in rula aah 10 M
Elephants race the whole length of the
arena on their way out All this saves time
and adds to the effect.
The wrestlers are in great demand. Their
style of contest gives so many opportu-
mites for acr0batic feats that the spectators
wax enthusiastic and greet the contestants
with cheer after cheer. The javelin men
also have considerably improved by prac-
tiee, at least three men striking the target
last highland with the point OF the
spear, too-and one came near making a
bullseye. He was so astOnished at his
proves that be missed in the next throw
by many yards. Once in night was enough
for him.
The dancers give a really wonderful ex-
h1oitiOn. Hablted in shining robes of
green, white, gold and purple, they 60
through all the graceful eYoutOns of the
may dance while the orchestra plays light
catchy music. The sand OF the arena is not
the sort OF floor that Carmencita would care
TO dance upon, and yet these slim girls do
notexhtblt the least sign Of awkwardness.
The performance makes pleasing prelude
10 the realistic scenes 10 follow.
linen came the gladiatoTial combats.
Two bodies Of mendiani face each other
until The arena is strewn with dead. In one
contest last evening both combatants fell
dead. Very effective, and so far SO good
But unfortunately one of the corpses, on
being handled somewhat roughly by two
Nnoian slaves whose business 1t was to
convey 1t from the arena, so far forgot
Itself as to vigorously protest, amid the
laughter OF those who witnessed the Incl
dent. 1t is astonishing how quickly some
OF the corpses grow stiff. No sooner has
stalwaIt warrior bit the dust than he
siiffens out like a rod of Iron, and is car
Tied from the arena with head, arms, body
and legs all in one horizontal line
In the duel between Professors Tropchet
and Lastreto the former had provided him
self with skin of some dark red LIQUID
concealed beneath his vest, the idea being
10 burst this on falling so that mimic blood
might flow from the supposed wound. This
makes the duel more realistic than before,
but the slaves sh Ould be more careful in
carrying him out as last night the skin fell
from his vest as he was being lifted up and
lay there. a silent witness to the deception,
a vivid Illustration Of The unreality Of all
things.
The mounted tournament continues to
gain favor. The six Preside soldiers
Sergeants Adams aud FuremAn and Cor
porals SOyuleyski, pynehue, Forster aud
Eeliy-weTe received with perfect ovation