The record-union., 1893-09-09
THE CIRCUS MAXlMUS.
THE GLADIATORS APPEAR IN A
CHANGED PROGRAMME.
Another Immense Crowd Witnesses
the Ancient Games--Caesar's Ad-
dress to His People.

The Circus Maximus last evening drew
| another immense crowd to the Pavilion
annex.
The spectacle was even grander than
on the opening night and ran much more
smoothly. There were no bitches, no de-
lays, and the performance was finished
| three-quarters of an hour earlier than on
Thursday evening, thus giving the spec
tators ample time to see the exhibits in
the Pavilion, both before and after the
Roman show.
Inc grand march was magnificent af-
TAR. 1t was under the direction OF J. c.
Pierson, the popular Director of the Ath-
letic Club and Magister Arena of the
| circus.
As soon as the great pageant lined uD
before the Emperor Caesar Augustus. the
| band sllenced and the Roman ruler adj
dressed ms subjects as follows:
Romans, our eagles in their cOnOuer-
Ing hight, DER distant Gaul and Britain's
sea-gIrt isle, turn to the mighty city's
sheltering walls and fold their nini6ns
once again in Rome. Your Cesar led
your IegIons far away to many a distant
1 shore, ana roman prOwess vanquished
every Zoe, until the armies Of imperiaI
Rome held sway Ger all the nations
far and near; and now, returning from
these numerous wars. which shed such
Iuster on your race and name, we fain
would turn your thoughts to lighter
themes, to jest and joust, instead of wars
alarms, and so we institute these blood
less games, where Roman youth with
Roman youths may strive as Greek with
Greek, to win the laurel crown. All
Rome IS mere to greet you and applaud, to
grace the lofty grandeur of this pile The
vestal virgins from their temples come
brave senators and men at arms look
down, WhIIe Roman maid and Roman
matron smiles DER all the din Of sweet an
piause. Then, wrestlers, runners. lean
ers, athletes-aIl strip for the contest and
DO battle here as though the foe were
numbering at your gates. Give each and
all his moed OF praise. but let the victor
win and wear the bays"
Inc chanting Yestal virgins aDDeared
after the pageant had Disappeared. and
then the games were inaugurated. The
Greek portion of the games we're omitted
and in their place was given the cestus
contests. These We're interesting and
exciting. A body Of powerfully built
young athletes marched out and after
saluting the Emperor, paired off and
went at each other. The cestus of old
was heavy metal easement for the
hands. and one blow from them was
stunning and often fatal. The cestus
worn by the athletes last night had the
appearance OF being made OF metal, but
were in reality cleverly devised boxing
gloves. But the young men fought as
cautiously as though their lives were at
stake, and when a proper blow was
landed the recipient usually reeied and
fell, unconscious or dead seemingly. The
contests were loudly applauded by the
audience.
The gladiatorial combats which fol-
lowed We're even more realistic than on
the opening night, the performers hay
ing become accustomed to working be-
fore an audience. The contests between
the retiarii and myrmilIones were also
exciting and called forth rounds Of an
plause.
Professors Trorchet and Lastreto re-
pealed their single ShOrt-sWord combat.
and worked the audience up to a high
pitch Of excitement. This is one OF the
most interesting and realistic perform
auces ever witnessed in Sacramento. and
gives the audience something OF an idea
OF what the aEcients considered sport.
The men appear to fight desperately. and
ii seems as ii only the deNtrOus r1rrviucr
with shield and sword saves their lives
dozens of times. But presently one is
seen to tire. His blows become weaker,
while those of his opponent come thicker
and faster, staggering him. The doomed
man defends himself feebIy. but finally
drops his hands. The other gladiator in-
St"IbAS StdOS I4ut III LuS breast BLOOD
begins to flow down the wounded mans
body, and those Of the audience who had
been wearing smiles $50 sure were they
that only show was going on began 10
look serious. Another cruel cut over the
heart and the gladiator falls, while the
victor places his foot upon the prostrate
form and salutes the Emperor.
To cap the climax the dead fgbtpr Il
raised TO the shoulders Of several slaves
and borne of while the band plays SOL
emn dirge.
The mounted sword contests and char
lot races went OF nicely and were lib
orally applauded.
The performance given by the dancing
girls is one OF the greatest features Of the
show. They are all shapely, handsomely
costumed and, what is more important,