New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-19
THE CIRCUS BEGINS.
FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON AT
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
LARGE AUDIENCE AND A GOOD SHOW.

The circus has a hard row to hoe because the
New-York public has been taught for so many
years 20 believe that there is only one circus IN
the world But the circus will hoe Its row. be-
cause IL Is good circus. Also the row is ripe lot
the hoeing II may take little time. Tor the puoc
In slow to learn some things: or IT may not take
long for the public is quick to cntch the realities
Of other things The audience OF last night at the
Madison Square Garden seemed to indicate that inc
town would soon discover the worth OF the SNOW
and the applause which was bestowed seemed 10 IN
dictate that what there were there had discovered
II already.
There were many people on hand last night to
sac the first performance of the combined Adam
Forepaugh and Sells Brothers circuses and they
we're well repaid II had all the elements that are
necessary for a varied and amusing show ana IL
had some elements that were novel. AS Is usually
the case some of the principal hits were mace oy
features OF which perhaps least was expected
The burlesque musical performance of the clown
band was extremely funny. and delighted the
audience more than some Of the really remarKaoe
feats OF acrobatcs and riding. Another OF the pest
acts OF all was that of Woodwards trained seals
and sea lions They have been seen here BEFORE
though not in a circus. and they cannot be seen
too often by those who enjoy exhibitions of animal
training. No more remarkable instance has ever
been seen here. or perhaps anywhere. The Hagen
beck show a wonderful show and there was
a good deal of it. but there was no one act in IT
do not do all that trained dogs do but they do some
things that trained dogs never do.
The aerial act OF the Hanlons has long been
known here and elsewhere, and has seldom been
excelled. 1t is done smoothly and as effectively
as ever The performance of Achille Philion. who
goes up a long spiral on revolving globe. Is dif-
ferent from the performance of the kind that was
last seen here, inasmuch as Mr.. Philon stays
on the outside Of his globe, instead OF shutting
himself up in H. He also adds display OF fire.
works TO the rest Of the excitement OF his adven-
ture.
There is too much expert riding to be mentioned
IN detail This department Is under the direction
Of Frank J. Melville who knows all about II. and
the Meivilles have been circus riders and directors
of circus riders since the memory of man goeth
not to the contrary Both the Forepaugh ana the
seIls Brothers shows have hitherto made spe-
cialty OF trained elephants. and so the elephants
become especially important feature or the
nresent aggregation A herd Of elephants has
usually been looked upon merely as so many tons
of bone and hide worth so much for exhibition ana
including many receptacles for the peanuts sold
by the who paid for the privilege. But the
managers of the present show look with sort of
contempt on an elephant who is not also an ACTOR,
and speak of him In sighting manner as IL 10
say: We don't quite remember what we hlred
Such are two big African elephants, which have
that worth going 10 the Garden 10 see,
but no talent TO speak Of except for the stowage
of peanuts African elephants are not domestic
animals like the Indian ones, and they have no
pretty little ways There are plenty OF other anil am,
the trouble with tigers is that they do not eat pea
nuts and so lack the gentle. social ways OF the
animals which have that civilized taste. as almost
all the others in the show have Peanuts are
wasted on any beast of the cat tribe. but almost
all the others have an understanding with the man
who has the privilege OF selling Them and are
grateful for all that they get.
II may be remarked. just as reminder, that
the circus is stay for only two weeks, and
nobody must complain. when he goes to the Garden
the week after next and does not find II there,
that the managers did not advertise the fact and
the papers did not mention II. Two weeks will
. end r, and there will be more for year, SO
Met that be understood.