The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-02
WONDERS UNDER CANVAS.
Attractions of n High Order of Merit
at the Circus.

The advent of circus in 4 small eoun-
try towa is the event of year. and while
in Washington it hardly attains that dis
tinction. yet the glamour and glitter OF
the whole, the music Of the bands, and
the bright flags waving from the tent tops.
seems to inject into Washington life an
undereurrent ci mild excitement. This
spirit seems to animate everyone from
business men TO small boys Out in the
northeast section, near the circus grounds
on North Capitol and l. Streets, the youth
of the neighborhood is willing victim to
the circus fever, the final symptoms of
which win hardly disappear till long after
the huge tents of the Wallace Shows have
disappeared.
Washington had an attack OF the circus
epidemic yesterday when the parade, with
its blaring bands. spirited horses, and
cages of restless wild beasts, invaded the
down town streets. The gorgeous pageant
was but a foretaste of the excellent things
in store at the circus grounds. Despite
threatening weather the big tents were
well filled at both afternoon and evening
performances, and if the weather today
is pleasant it is likely the high-water
mark of attendance will be touched
To the show itself unstinted praise must
be accorded There was not poor feature
on the entire programme, and NUMBER
were models Of their class. Prominent
among these latter is the turn of the IA
nous Nelson family Of acrobats, who are
the superiors Of any ever seen in Wasn-
iuzton. and the Stirk family Of bicycle
riders who bring into favor with their
clever work what once threatened to be-
come back number in the list of circus
amusements.
Special cars to accommodate the throng
we're placed on the North Capitol Street
line and were crowded both afternoon and
evening. The doors were opened an hour
before the performance began. In the
mean time the spectators either loitered in
the menagerie or found themselves seats
in the big tents, while some were lured
into the side show by the barker who
stood in front. In the big tent an excellent
band rendered, under the direction Of
Bandmaster c. e. Bronson. catchy music,
while dozen clowns ambling around the
sawdust rings kept the audience in an ex-
ceIlent humor. The comedy feature is
strong one in the Wallace shows. The
white-face clowns appear at every oppor-
tunlty and make any intermission In the
performance pass rapidly. Then there are
a number Of comedy turns in the regular
>.
Horace Webb revolving ladder act and also
the horizontal bar turn Of the Livingstones.
The Nelson family of nine born acrobats
presented the star attraction of all the
acts on the programme Nothing seems
too difficult for this wonderful troupe to
attempt and accomplish. They received
great applause. The Japanese acrobats, al
ways good, are especially so in the Wallace
shows.
E1Tz
French ascended slender spiral without
any visible mode of propulsion and then
descended to the platform and stepped
from the globe, much to the wonder of the
audience. many of whom never had an ink
ling that there was a woman in the ball.
Herr Herkenrath. with his trained ele-
phant pony. and wolf-hound, presented
bigh-cIass exhibition. Rather a novelty in
the way of trained animals Is a combina-
ton Of wild and domestic beasts The iii
telligent brutes did well some familiar
tricks and a number OF new ones
An act worthy Of mention was that of
the three Fortune Brothers, who did a
new comic acrobatic turn on the horizontal
bar, The dancing ladder act by W. F.
Judge was an excellent one. The perform
ance concluded with pony. monkey, and
chariot races All were close and exciting.
unlike the usual circus hippodrome. The
horses were all splendid animals and their
riders and drivers almost reckless in their
endeavors to win.
great portion of the audience stayed
to witness the concert after the regular
performance concluded. Many excellent |
and pleasing specialties were introduced. |
clever trained dogs and monkeys. |
After giving performances here this after |
noon and evening the show will proceed to |
where it exhibits Wednesday. |
and from that point Will go to Richmond.