New-York tribune., 1901-04-23
THE RIDERS AND THE CLOWNS.
OPENING OF THE CIRCUS SEASON AT THE
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.

There were those at the Madison Square Garden
last night with whom happiness reached so exalted
z stage that It would have been perfect but for
the calamitous fact that the evening had 10 end
There were Others Of course. who had lived past
the period in which happiness could be so easily
obtained though they were still capable of abun-
dant enjoyment. These latter were the ones who
are constantly looking for something new in the
circus. To the children the circus is the circus.
and that Is enough. If anything they probably pre-
fer that II shall be exactly what II always has
been. Children extremely orderly in their ar
tisuc tastes. They do not like variations That
which went just SO the last time ought to go Just
this time.
They are doubtless right about It. The grown
ups think that the circus people doing pretty
much the same things that they were thirty
forty years ago. and few changes would brighten
It up. They do not trouble themselves with the
thought that the circus people also doing pretty
much the things that they did when the En-
peror Nero. who had the heart of fend and the
appreciation Of a child, encouraged and fostered
the circus These silly older people will not under
stand that their growing up the only mistake.
ana that the circus people are doing their best
cope with their satiated appetite for
city and the children's correct estimate of that
which is worthy of attention. If 1t is old.
And now, II these tired out elderly will be
eooo they shall be told about the Adam Forepaugh
and Sells Brothers Circus. which began it's short
engagement Of weeks in town last evening.
II was, for the most part. the same old circus,
every circus has to be. and ought TO be. But the
thirst for novelty was satisfied with few
features The most surprising Of these the
ride one wheel oe a young named Mint
ing. His wheel the front wheel of bicycle
he began his ride a good many feet above the
ground, and rode up spiral HILL which looked to
De about two feet wide, and UP, TIL IL looked as
u ne were going through the roof. Then, just as
there danger of his breaking a girder with
his scalp, he got to the top Of the hill and rode
away along little path close under the roof for
haf the length Of the garden. Then t.I, he turned
around and rode back and down the bill again.
Nr. Fitzpatrick has varied his ride this year
p. spring ne rode bicycle bg1n qGwn an o se
makes his descent in automobile; but what eA-
hi. which fhe sutomobiIe took With no small
pulling and display Of swirling steam but frniy
The clowns. Of whom there are many. have taken
oef ae turn TINS gsa . The Methods Of
muneipal reform practised by Mrs: Carrie NaQoh d
Sofa sGbeeis 9fsrs Of q There was an
parent effort. however. 10 present these scenes iS ~
hsiruct.. manner ''-@' '--eS
The features which most distinctly @ charaf
osplays, were present in their usual number me
riding Of the sort known as high school, 1t diff
sts from ordinary circus riding IN tati Ian In ,be me
9ss holding steady pace around the r rins ge whi hS
korse scG0 e Id,as der sfng ia qaet on its
sssinarkable degree OF training was shown py the
1t is scarcely necessary to tell persons who have
zone 70 the circus in the last two three seasons
saat Captain Woodwards sea lions and seals are
ssltosether the most wonderful trained animals
zen In this part of the country in many years
1rtney perform tricks which horses. dogs and ele-
tnsnts never attempted and the skill OF me
,,@lgest Of the group equlbrist is no less
Ian marvellous. A few feats We're aGoeo
rns most amusing being the balancing by this am
Ia Ia OF Billiard the tip OF his nose, a ms q
i1fs.ns placed on the other end of the cue. and
ssen, after few seconds his tossing aside the cue
s1a ~ catching the fish in his mouth. .
,,aie rnenagere IS in good order. and the coliec-
n ol rare and curious animals is up 10 It's usuai
irlosrd OF variety. The elephants hold receptions
,rtne ne basement, and Will be pleased to accept con-
eisu e1sisau9ns OF peanuts although they do not 6is.
tso tnelr preference for bonbons and cakes. But
ra re is a hint for the devoted circus goer who
fs1s not have made the discovery: II is much bet
nsri.un iun feeding the hippopotamus than the ele-
thai II 4, Ihe hippopotamus has mouth SO iarge g
s easy to throw peanuts into II, and ne is
oAssiul animal whose plainness OF feature has
~ ied to a lamentable lack OF appreciation OF
e'n1aoe qualities of heart