Evening star., 1897-05-05
PARADE WAS GORGEOUS
Thousands Watched the Circus Pageant This
Morning
Some New Features-Barnum & Bail
ey's Horses Very Much In
Evidence.

Ding! ding!"
Now, don't hurry, children There is
plenty of time, for 1t isn't within two blocks
yet. Harry, stop that pushing or I'll put
you at the end of the line and keep you up
stairsI'
Ding! and there is a rush of feet and a
wild clamor of shrtn screams and yells as
the little ones go scampering down the last
flight of stairs. out upon the street and
make a headlong rush for the route of the
circus parade. The advent of the circus in
Washington is always one of the annual
trials of school teachers life, and this
little scene was probably enacted In every
school building in the city that luckily for
the children happened to be within easy
distance of the parade.
The parade today was one of the most
gorgeous that it has ever been the pleasure
Of Washingtonians to witness The route
was a comprehensive one, and took in all of
the principal thoroughfares, and incidental
ly all of the larger school buildings and at
every point along the route there was a
dehsely packed mass of humanity awaiting
the appearance of the pageant.
Barnum and Bailey.s .Greatest Show on
Earth has always enjoyed high reputa-
ton for its street displays, but today's
show, while not as long perhaps as some
others that have been seen here ecfipsed
IN splendor, in richness of costume and in
handsome equfpages any that have passed
.n.ougn the streets Oh Washington. The
principal feature was the pageant repre-
senting the reception rendered TO Columbus
at Barcelona 400 years ago 1t embraced
some of the handsomest costumes and tran
pings imaginable. and was historically cor
rect as well as gorgeous. The costumes in
this portion Of the parade were really bean
tiful and excited no little comment. pre-
cedlng this show was the conventional dis
pay Ia syo OF W wiid beasts. except that it was
larger and better than ever before. The
oens containing the beasts were elahora TO
and looked fresh and new.
Another charming display that led the
pusessioh popses was that of fcrty splendid bay
aorses driven by one man. The customary
noats representing the nursery rhymes and
Lairy stories Of childhood had place in
nne. and delighted the children One of the
has ,nost plsaslng sights, and one that always
nas place In Barnum and Bailey's aggre-
CATIONS. Is the fine display of horses. and
some OF the most beautiful specimens of
thls friend OF man were to be seen t,aily
capar1soned and seemingly conscious Of the
admiration they excited. The elephants of
course, came in for their share of the popu-
lar attention. and their handsome tran
pings also excited comment. The bands
were all that could be wished for and will
make excellent music at the various per
formances to be given here. Handsome
charlots and elaborate equipages added the
color to the pageant, and altogether the
sight was one that fully merited the at
tention bestowed upon 1t by the thousands
OF persons who journeyed downtown to see
It.
The weather man seemed rather kindly
disposed toward the circus people and those
who wished to see the parade early this
morning, but about 10 o'clock sent a down.
pour that made most of the participants
in the show and not few of the spec
tators wish they were anywhere but out
from cover. 1t did not last long, however,
and after the rain had ceased the costumes
and trappings and handsome chariots SEEM
ed brighter than ever
The performance given this afternoon
was attended by thousands, and when the
parade was started around the tent the i'm
mense canvas structure was filled to over
flowing. The regular performance this
evening as well as the two performances
tomorrow will be given rain or shine. Be-
sides the conventional features that are al
ways to be found with a circus Barnum
and Bailey's show this year contains some
new and startling sights, which are worth
alone, without the customary features, a
visit to the immense tent during exhibi-
tion