Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-04
THE WALLACE CIRCUS.
Crowds Watched the Street Parade
and Then Visited the Tents.

and Then visited the tents.
The parade of the Wallace circus given
this morning attracted Immense crowds Of
people to the principal thoroughfares OF
the city. Owing to the fact that today is
a holiday and that Washington is rather
unused to the novelty of a show of this
character visiting the city in the fall, the
parade attracted perhaps more than the
ordinary amount of attention, although in
the main the show deserved the stamp of
approval bestowed upon it by the observ-
ant crowds. The parade came along
promptly three-quarters of an hour late,
but to those familiar with circus ethics
little matter like this did not make much
difference Besides, when the work OF es-
tabishing the big tents at the show
grounds, and laboring under disadvantages
which no but a circus empioye knows
anything about. and getting the big street
pageant into line ready for the start are
taken into consideration the small delay OF
an hour is easily forgiven, especially when
the show. was the case this morning, is
of sufficient merit to dispel the disagree
able thoughts Of the tedious wait. There
were no special features in the parade that
deserve elaboration. All were of uniform
excellence, and the general air of pros
perity about the show observable in the
new costumes. the well-kept wagons ana
the sleek and content ed looking animals,
was very pleasing Three bands contrib
uted almost continuous music throughout
the line of march, which was an excep-
tionally long one. while the omnipresent
steam caliope brought up the rear with
vigor.
Among the exhibits that attracted spe-
cial attention were the splendid wild ami
NAL collection, the cages containing the
beasts being for the most part left open for
the benefit of the spectators: the Japanese
family of acrobats and equilibrists, drawn
by a pretty team of ten small ponies: the
snake charmer, in den of poisonous-look-
ing reptiles, and a group of Turkish dane
ers. There We're many other special ex-
hibits, of course, but those enumerated at
tracted the most attention. The horses
with the show as fine a lot has been
seen In this city. Sleek, well-groomed and
ridden by jaunty equestrians. men and
women, they presented very pretty spec
tacle, one that interested profoundly the
lovers Of horseflesh that were among the
crowds that lined the streets. The clowns,
too, came in for their share of attention.
as did the impersonators of Little Red Rid
ing Hood and other Of Mother Goose's
fantastic characters. all of which pleased
the children greatly.
The performance this afternoon began at
2 o'clock, but long before that hour, in
deed before the doors were open at l
O'Clock. the crowds began to gather again,
until when the first rider made his appear
ance on the race track to herald the OPEN
ing of the show hardly a seat was to be
had at any money. The Wallace circus Is
we'll remembered in this city for the excel
lent show given here two years ago, and
the way the performance started out this
afternoon gave the impression that the
standard established then was to be main
tanned in all respects The wonderful Mel
son family of acrobats, Of course, made
the greatest hit, although the other fea-
lures were as meritorious in their way
The performance this evening will begin
at o'clock while the doors will be
opened at o'clock .