Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-11

Intelligence that the shows were strug-
Cling IN q "wash-out' more than hity
miles away from Richmond Surely FOR
tune has played her most fantastic tricks
during the last few days. Very ran
tastic" was she on the opening-day or the
Exposition. but. in the eyes OF the little
ones" that performance fell INTO COM
parative insiguidcance when contrasted
with the ills which beset Mains circus
yesterday morning.
But THE CLOUDS DEPARTED.
Fortunately. hckeness is the distinctive
trait of the Goddess, and having dashed
the hopes Of SO many with gall and
NORWOOD sha instantly set out to Re-
habilitare herself. and the result was an
almost perfect day. Above Us. a great
expanse of vivid blue, in which few
white feecy clouds hoated southwark
waited by slight breeze. which had
fine touch Of autumn in IL. and around
us vast area Of canvas covering in all
I nearly five acres Of CrOund), which con-
tained a galaxy indeed OF all that goes
/ to make up a complete. modern, anu lead
ing circus organization.
The shows did not reach the city until
/ shortly after II o'clock. arriving by the
! Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. and by
the time the paraphernalia had reached
the grounds It was nearly T. No sooner
| had the wagons arrived At thc head OF
| Clay street however, than. as II by
| magic, miniature village In canvas
sprang up. and AT 3 o'clock-only one
hour lato-the afternoon performance was
under way.
From an early hour this morning the
main thoroughfaras of the city were crowd
ell with an anxious. eager thronS, walt
ing for the street parade-which had been
advertised to take place At o'clock-and
many ueopl. occupied seats i'm the win
dows OF houses and stores along the route.
II was pre-emlnent feature OF the
crowl-compOsed as it was for the most
part OF women and chldren-that II WAS
orderly, patient. and eNtr mely sood-na-
tured They hun. on with a teuaclty
born Of kindled hS,qs, and the rarity Of
the occasion till long after IL, b ing for the
most part centred Oh Broad street For the
benefit OF thOsa whose curiosity was
aroused. the writer IS able 70 say that
the Walter l.. Main circus street paride
H. unsurpassed in every direction by any
previous effort in the same line that mas
been seen in this city for years. At Nor
folk last Monday the parade covered one
mile and n quarter in length, and was
made up OF the many attractive features
Of the show Thoroughbred horses. ND
mcrous cages Of Wild animals, splendid
equlpaBcs, and Gorgeous trappings' WIN
music to gladden. the heart, while the
eye feasted, from four large and efficient
bands. went TO make up an unique and
unequlvocal rlgeant.
STUPENDOUS AGGREGATION. y.
The same descriptive terms VIII apply
TO the entire show 1t is unquestion1biy
one Of the biggest and most stIpcnious
aggregations ever put together ior the
amusement OF the public IN TINS country
and il reflects the greatest cfedIt upon
the skin. enterprise, and daring OK It's
protector. Mr.. Walter L. Main. IL IS
pre-eminently a feature Of this parlcu-
lar show that everything connected WIN
il is positively first-class. Such a gamer
ing Of performers. such collection OF
rare animals and splendid horses. such
gorgeous trapp.ngs and magnificent pro-
uerties have rarely. if ever, been placed
| ON view I'm this city. Thera IS An absolute
relef in the absence from this show OK
| all ATTEMPTS az spectacular finish 10 the
| entertainment by introducing hordeS OF
| tlnselled girls. who engage in the syTa-
| tions Of the stage. feature that Is quite
| nromincnt In some other organizations.
| There Is something iucOngruous about
| the mixing up Of theatrical ana circus
! effects. and there Is beyond question Wis
dom in the expenditure OF the money IN
volved in these big pictorial experiments
/ upon the legitin ate features OF the tehled
arena. Yesterday afternoon there was
resent very large audience, and last
| evening the colossal tent was hlled 10 re-
rIation by A cheering multitude VINO
were or should have been. half bewild-
a,ed nv the number Of sensational fea-
| =, res presented for their cOnsld ration.
| There were the usual jockey races, con-
| tests between sprinters and horses, cha-
riot races, steeplechases, hurdle races
| and the undsi al sight Of tSenty-Iour
I horses driven at breakneck speed around
| the arena by a single II an, ana that man
no less C. celebrity than Professor joseph
! Berris. Then, TOO, there are tumDllhg iis-
plays, trapeze performances, high-scnool
| acts by carefully-traned animals, ana III
fact everything that has ever been worth
! seeing in a circus or hippodrome show.
! In every Instance a successful eitort mas
beeu made TO get together the best per-
! q rmers in their various lines. For
eamnle-ln the exhibitions of equestrian
| i'm. bareback acts were simultaneously
performed by Mile. Eleno and Mr.. Frank
| Miller. either OF whom would be con-
| sidered an amply strong feature Tor the
| hcreback rllng event Of any ordinary
| show. ,.r
| Mr.. and Mrs Nutty did very pretty
and effective .bit OF riding, introducing
a carrying feat that was both clever anu
| novel. An amazing feature or the snow
was an aerial speciality OF Messrs surk
| and Zeno. who fairly electrified the audi
encs with their perilous performance IN
mid air. introducing a flying double SOM
| ersault. which the management announce
10 be the only feat Of its KIND hat -
successfully performed In the circus Wo' " y
| of this country. The introduction or "A
riding lion is aptly described by the man.
agement as "a wonderful display OK
human power over the king Of all beasts,
the lion. in a most powerful and darins
exhibition" Ii Is one or the most re-
markable exhibitions Of its KIND ever
| seen. The animal, which Is by no means
" dociie ~ the provsrbiA lamb. Ssuss Z