Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-26

OLD JOHN ROBINSON,
f-ounder OF the Big Tented AmusemenS')
a circus on railroad-ears, and II was ne
who produced the first spectacle u1uei
canvas. There has never been an aiiuse,
rnent OF the tented kind that has touteo
the southern country and MADE the eN-
cellent reputation that his has always
borne. and the name OF his SHOWS mas
become a household word throughout the
length and breadth Of the South.
NEW AND STRIKING FEATURES.
Features new to the circus world were
seen Yesterday. Twenueth-century girh
were there as ring-masters. clowns ana
obiect-holders Living pictures ana many
other novelties were seen that proved
that the Robinson & Franklin Brothers
shows were strictly up-to-date ana per
hans n little beyond. as ciTcuses usually
run. The utmost decorum prevailed. uni
formed and gentlemanly attaches were
al every turn 10 see to the wants OF the
patrons. end people in natty uniforms
seated ladies and children with the Ut
most care and attention.
Promptly at the advertised time the
parade left the show-grounds. Bang
bang, How the elephant danced and the
monkeys grinned when the bands began
10 plavi Lions roared tigers charged
about their cages. and hyenas yelleC IN
glad chorus in response 10 the cries OF
the delighted children. who crowded the
thoroughfares. The elephants staggered
along the. streets with that Indifferent
SWAY that seemed TO say. Clear the way!
We're here to stay" The procession was
a long one, larger than is usually seen
with a circus. and contained almost
everything that could be placed In cir
Gus parade The principal performers
were seated IN traps" instead of the
old style OF having them on horses
backs, and the caliope played the latest
airs.
IN THREE RINGS.
The performance was given in three
rings and on elevated stages; the dome
Of the huge tent was filed with aerial
apparatus. and around 1t all was the
immense hippOdrome track. where the
races were run. Robert Stickney. Jr.i
one Of the worlds representative bare
back riders. was at mis- best. as was also
Miss Rose Dockren. who, b. the way, L
making her first American appearance
with this combination She Is a French
woman and. II is said, has appeared be-
fore all the crowned heads OF Europe
silbon and Sesrist accomplished some
wonderful evOlutions I'm mid-air, blind
folded: and the Cornelius family Of five
acrobats proved themselves most capable
gymnasts and acrobats
Space VIII not permit a detailed ac-
count of the many and varied perform
ances. but they were all OF an excellent
character. and the thousands who wit
messed them were amply repaid and fully
satisfied The entire show has a mos
neat and clean appearance. and one Of
the pleasing features was the fact thai
there were only a few Of the many seats
reserved. ample seating accommodation
being supplied for thousands Of people
without any additional cost.
THE STARS
While Robert Stckney Jr., the cleve
bareback rider, who. by the way, bear
a strong resemblance 10 his father. IN
greatest equestrian of his day. came II
for much OF the applause. Messrs. SilboI
and Segrist were the bright stars of tn
performance. Their performance OF
trapezes 30 feet in the air was startlini
and daring, and when Silhon. with hi
eyes blIndfolded and his body envelopes
I'm a sack. made leap from trapez
into his associates arms. many ladie
turned their heads and children shrieked
The mesagerie OF the Robinson 4
Franklin Brothers show Is an up-to-dat
one. and no circus that has exhibited
here in years has displayed so man,
lions. Kings of the forest, all sizes an
all ages. were Gagged within the menageri
tent. and those who stayed after the per
Torrance in the afternoon We're treate
TO sight which they will not soon for
get The ferocious beasts were fed b
their keepers in the presence of the mul
tltude, and hundreds OF pounds OF ray
meat was poked into the cages. only Z
be devoured with great rapidity by IN
vordcious beasts, whose roars OF deligh
fairly made the earth quake.
BOYS PARTICIPATED.
A feature Of the circus was a race be
tween about twenty lads. who went a
spectators. little dreaming that the
would be called upon as actors The
rushed pell-mell into the ring. though
when called by the director, who offere
concert tickets 10 the six who tnishe
first The boys coursed around tho trac
in remarkably fast time, and while tn
many were disappointed the six receive
tickets. and all. including the spectators
especially the little folks. enjoyed III
event. The wheelbarrow, sack. and bar
rel races were also very amusing.
Miss Lula DERRICK. whose wonderfu
eyratlons on revolving globe. whic
she rolled up a steep Incline ana the
down. Is a balance artist of renown. tie
feat which was performed with grea
skill. was a most gigantic undertaking.
and she was watched throughout by tn
vast gathering with breathless interest.
A GOOD SHOW.
Taken all in all. the Robinson q Frank
ling Brothers show was grand success:
and the thousands OF Richmonders VIII
saw IL Yesterday. and the hundreds O
others who failed 10 go out, but hear
afterwards OF the many good things the
missed. will hail It's return next seaso
with great pleasure.
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Shooung-Match This Afternoon.
There Mill he 4. .,ofoh a. Wet