The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-16

buy something. The corridors OF temptation
run from curtain wall TO curtain wall below
and above, all the way round. When the
Jays get in this corridor below they are
overcome by that hunger and thirst that
has been accommodating since breakfast, and
the way they fall upon the eatabIes and
drinkables has never been equaled since
Samson of old fell upon the Phiistines with
the jaWbone of an ass. The enemy is slain
by thousands. Behind a single one of the
half dozen bars are eleven barmaids. A
big scale of prices is on the mirror behind,
and nothing remains to be done but to yank
beer pumps, ladle out drink, and throw
sandwiches, buns and cake at the
clamoring crowd. Through this show
er of edibles and stimulants the
excited Jays move down upon the Pal
marium, where they wander around in a
maize of ignorance and various degrees OF
imbecility. viewing the freaks, animals and
other curiosities-none of which to me- is
a greater curiosity than this same London
crowd. Tommy Atkins, in his gorgeous
glory Of red and blue and sold-as naughty
guardsman, bare legged Highlander,
Queens Own, etc.-and his din1inutive imi-
tator the district messenger boy, with his
saucepan cap tilted on one ear; the 'Arrys
and 'Arriets, the swell frock-coated gentry
from Regent street, in the shiniest of silk
tiles; mothers with boys in Elton jackets,
and the plug of Dickens's time; splendid,
robust-looking young fellows from Oxford
and Cambridge; little chaps in mortar
boards, other little chaps in jaunty sailor
peajackets and flowing trousers, and still
other little chaps in picturesque Highland
costume-dear dear! To the Snowman from
over the big pond these are the circus.
Just as the Jays get fairly started on
the round of human and brute wonders the
stentorian voice of the announcer strikes
the tympanum.
Gentlemen and ladies, the performance
in the arena is now about to begin!"
Here is another sensation scramble. Be
tween the knowledge that he hasn't seen
much here yet and the palpitating fear that
he may miss something there, the Jays"
rush this way and that like lot of sheep
scared by a dog with wool in his mouth.
The entrances to the great auditorium are
many from the corridors, and through these
they catch a glimpse of what is going on
in the ring. Their checks show which is
their proper entrance, but what is a seat
check to a "jay?'' They plunge for the first
hole as if they were rabbits ahead of a.
human efforts of two sets of uniformed
ushers are required to prevent such jams
that nobody can get in. The ''Arrys" and
''Tommys" and frock-coated gentry, and
mothers with children, and the whole mot
ley crowd squeeze in here and there pell-
NELL and swarm upon the vast gathering al
ready in possession of the place.
But who could paint picture of this Won
derful collection of Britons now banked up,
row upon row, gallery upon gallery, from
the rail of the great arena to the remotest
corners of the roof as far as the eye can
reach? Who can describe their wild
paroxysms of laughter at the clowns the
thunders of their enthusiastic applause at
the feats of Workmanship, their roaring
braN os that greet the daring of the hippo
drome? Some other pen than mine. But
this mental vision of the Londoner at play
will abide with me till can see and think
no more.
CHARLES THEODORE MURRAY.