The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-26

Some $4,000 people celebrated circus
day. yesterday by attending the two per-
tormauces given by the Adam Foreuaugh
and Sells Brothers combined shows at
North Capitol and L Streets, and undoabt-
eddy every member Of the vast audiences
is willing TO testify Today that the tented
attraction is the best seen in this city in
many years. There was a dearth Of moth
ing thar might 20 to make tent show en-
JOyaale, and there was no lack OF the
charm Of the old-time pleasures combined
with the glitter and glare Of the modern
canvas hiprCdrome. From menagerie to
sidcshow all was as ii should be. and the
Eiories OF the Coiored poster were for once
Outdone by the actual realization. For
nearly three hours during each perform
ance the delighted crowds witnessed and
applauded wonder after wonder and we're
happy They had come expecting a little
md had received more than a suthciency.
Not three rings. but four, were Piled
TO amuse and amaze The audiences. The
tar-famed trio OF circles OF canvas and
dirt are seldom found outside the adver-
usihg matter, but here there were three,
with an additional platform wherein some
band played. the horses capered, the gilt
ter Of bangles was everywhere. and the
crowds laughed and aPplaudod until eX-
hausted. Il is something Of note that not
one Objectionable feature occurred 10 mar
the pleasure Of the day and the showmen
now in the city exhibit an intelligent
knowledge Of the art Of handling crowds.
The menGgeric is all that could be de-
sired. There are no closed wagons and
the row Of threc-score vehicles conta rs
everything from a monkey to a hippopo.a a
mus, while camels. elephants. and zebras
are abundant in the open spaces The
main tent is the largest ever erected n
this city by any show and easily seats
l5,oCo people. Here, after a really good
band concert. which al.eviates the tedious
ness OF the wait the spectator is treated
10 many surprises in divers ways. Ire
old, o.d tiresome features found in rcuses
which save come and gone are missing.
and clean, enjoyable acts substituted.
The opening pageant introduces an array
Of gallant knights and ladies', together
with long lines Of handsomely capsrso-ei
horses. elittering chariots. and solemn pa
rades OF elephants camels and other ami
mails Last but lot least came the
clowns, Of whom there are fifteen, and
each lunuior than the last.
The Introductory feature of the long pro-
gramme Of acrobatic acts was a double
someI saulting contest between dozen
athletes who whirled through the air over
the hacks Of elephants and horses and
gained great applause by their daring
One Of the pretuest features Of the per-
-ormance is the classic posing Of the Jack
son family, who reproduce famous groups
Of statuary and scenes from American /
history. Miss Emma Stickney performed /
af.fr
attracted generous applause. Lowande /
lanced on rope suspended from the TOP
IF the tent while Miss Cline and Miss /
AGair did some thrilling things on the 1
nigh wire.
Stirk and Anita caused comment by SEN !
iational double trapeze performances in /
nldalr. Miss Donayin and Miss Dot Adair /
proved themselves experts on the flying I
rings The Damman sisters and Miss (
3rsehard were graceful in posing on run /
ing globes, while Miss Bonnie caused con- /
5teruation by swings from the top Of the 4
ent TO the sawdust. The famous Spauld- /
ngs and the great Kelly we're remarkably |
lever on the revolving trapeze. 4 troupe /
# eight performing elephants showed that |
hey were as intelligent as some human
leings and danced. stood on their heads |
md walked on their hind legs at the bid
ling Of the trainer.
The Misses Dockrill. Meers. Stickney, 1
Ashton, and Carrea gave exhibitions Of /
Equestrian feats IN which they showed |
heir SIKH on bare backed horses. Miss /
line introduced her horses. Brilliant
nd The Maid. who are trained to dance
nything taught in an academy. Richard
)ockrill showed the intelligence Of his
lorses, sultan" and The Gar" while
William German exhibited his cake-walk-
Ok horse. The pony circus, under the
Erection Of Frank Melville. delighted the
hlidren, and the miniature horses are
veil trained
Messrs. Lowe and Kincade gave an ex-
ibition Of driving tandem fours The
lelrose family gave an ENJOYABLE per
ormauce on bicycles. Bryan, Lozell. and
iarnel did some thrilling turns on the
erial bars. Joseph Kelly turned somer-
aults from the top Of the tent 10 the /
Mound CaFrea exhibited some perilous
loud swings and the La Noles showed
What they could do on revolving ladders.
Adair and Wilton. head balancers: Josie
,shton. on the flying rings; Brochard the
onioruonist; the three Potters on the
rapeze, Reed andMcCree and the Davenes
D equestrian acts, and Dockrell and Ben
ett IN clever burlesque on Roman gIa-
Iators were an interesting
Probably the most wonderful thing on
be programme was Captain Woodward's !
rained seals and sea lions which exhibit
limos. human intelligence singing so'os.
orming brass band juggling with balls. /
Mohlng, reading. and acting like human |
eiugs. William German. Frances Reed
)scar LoWaude. and William De Waite I
sve exhibitions in trick riding which ex-
ite applause
Merit and Alair, the Carl Damman
roupe Of acrobats. the Kenuard brothers
umblers; the Millette troupe OF athletes
be Dayeues, the four potteIs on the high 1
TaDeze. and Bryan, Weitzel. and Zore1la
N The aerial bars, were all startling and
reated much enthusiasm
The thrilling hippodrome races wound
~ the performance. which was one Of the |
est ever witnessed in Washington.
The performance viii be repeated af