Evening star., 1901-05-06
PRETTY CITY OF TENTS
THE RISGLING BROTHERS, MANI.
MOTH ESTABLISHMENT.
Main Amphitheater Capable of Seat
Ing $4,000 PerSons-Fine Street
Parade Today.

terday on the spot where Ringing Bros.
circus has since taken up its abode. From
early in the morning until late at night
the tide of humanity swept along the
streets in the vicinity of the park, 18th and
c streets northeast. Each newcomer had
faith i'll his own luck and was to to be
deferred from his visit by the disappointed
groups he met coming from the grounds
The disappointment was not complete. y
merry -go-round that seemed to chafe under
the restraint of the Sunday laws was set
In one corner of the big open space. But
still more significant was a big structure
made up of bales of hay which occupied
the center of the place devoted to the
nienagerle tent. This repaSt was a guar
antee that distinguished quadrupeds were
expected and SoOthed the unrest which
troubled the bosom Of the expectant small
BOY. Yet there were ominous rumors of
those railway VicisSitudes which assume to
delay even circus.
Early this morning a large colored wo-
man hurried along East Capitol street. 1T
were long time arrIVin,' said she, with
radiant features; but | done seed it" II
Was only the faithful, such as she who
enjoyed the privilege Of seeing how the
canvas city is built in a few hours.
The ground, roughened by the tramp of
many horses during the recent rainy sea
son, was soon covered with bilowing can
vas, and then reduced to the condition
which circus performers demand. The
menaSerle tent was up first 1t sheltered
nearly a hundred wagons, and the herd Of
thirty elephants proceeded to make itself
comfortable. one of the standards of
measurement among circus men, of a
snow S Importance, is the number of ele-
phdnts 1t contains And the phrase, thirty
elephants would be calculated to inspire
instant respect in the mind of an old
timer. The erection of kitchen was one
of the first duties Of the hour and enter
tdlnrntnt Tor man and beast
provided by this wandering community
which must perfOrce carry its own tavern
Its own blacksmith shop and all the rest
OF the accOmpanimcntS of a well-regrlated
municipality. The last tent to be erected
was the maiD tent. containing three rings
a track whose distance is estimated at q
quarter of Il mile, and a seating capacity
of 1900.
The Parade a Feature.
One of the most reassuring incidents of
the engagement was the big street parade,
which, contrary to precedent started near
ly on time. With banners and gilded vans
it Slittered through the principal streets.
causing waves OF tingling joy to surge with
III the breasts of the young and arousng
old memories of past delights in their
elders. accompanied by q desire to once more
scent the fragrant sawdust of the tented
arena.
The Ringing circus IS a product of the
west. and has been seen in Washington but
once before when It received the universal
approval of the people for it's complete
ness and elabOrateneSS of detail. In addi-
ton to the usual features of a street pa
rade the pageant this morning presented
a number of novelties, which We're heartily
appreciated by the crowds that lined the
way. The famous clown band diSCourSed
discordant music from the top of one of
the highest chariots, while a body of mu-
SiCianS from AlgierS riVaed them with
midway melodies from another. A steam
chi If DlT,11Gr tori h.1l
ed cavalry band and the inspiring and
characteristic strains by the regular band
wagon artists made up an unusual musical
feature.
The herd of elephants ridden by British
soldiers, the gaily trapped camels and the
large number of open cages, plumed knights
and Gashng ladies and the hundreds Of
horses, with arched necks and nodding
plumes completed an imposing spectacle.
A notable characteristic of the Ringing
circus is it's appearance of perpetual new
ness. Nothing old ever has a place in its
displays. The proprietors hold it as a car
dnaI principle that Soiled tnery makes
but a sorry sight, and every effort is made
to live up to that principle. Their horses
are of the finest and are kept in remark
able state of sickness. The gliding and
paint is aglisten and everything has an air
of newness and life that is the secret of
much of the success of the entire enter
prise.
The feature of the parade which attract
ed more than ordinary attention was a
hay wagon, which brought up the rear 1t
contained three clown farmers, who gave
an exhibition of comic tumblng to the
unspeakahle delight of the sidewalk spec-
tators The engagement of the circus is
for two days, and the weather combines
with the announcements of the manage
ment in making the prospect good for a
heavy attendance.
An exhibition was given this afternoon
beginning at > o clock, the great tent being
crowded. Another performance will be
given at clock this evening.