Los Angeles herald., 1905-10-10
WONDERFUL EXHIBITION
OF FALL OF P0MPEIl
PAINS PYRoTECHNIcs IGNITE
THE HEAVENS
Several Thousand Persons at Prayer
Park See Magnificent Demonstra-
ton of the Eruption of Mount
VesuVius

There was no library discussion at
Prayers park last night, but Our
Mayor was enwreathed in flames and
had warm time nevertheless. One of
the set pieces given by Pain was bust
of Mayor McAleer, an when the fea-
lures of the city's executive were en-
blazoned distinctly before the thousands
present a cheer went up that would in
nowise detract from the mayors good
opinion of himself
Several thousand persons witnessed
the magnificent pyrotechnics at the
opening performance of the Last
Days of Pompeii'' last night. The prin
cipal spectacle was preceded by an ex
tended program of specialties that were
excellently presented and which con-
tributed largely to the success of the
evenings performance.
Following the specialties, which are
advertised as 'incidents and divertise-
ments," came the earthquake and the
eruption of Vesuvius, presented in all
the splendid glory and perfection of the
art of pyrotechnics.
With the populace gathered in the
streets during the progress of an i'm
portant public event, the earthquake
sends them scurrying in terror in all
directions and Immediately Vesuvius
begins to emit the flames and pour the
molten lava into the magnificent city.
Speedily the splendid edifices of the
ancient city are set on fire and the
scene of conf1agration is strangely and
startlingly realistic. One by one these
buildings are consumed by the blaze
and the scene is not concluded until the
last of the city's buildings is left
charred and smoking mass Of ruins.
The performance ends with a thirty
minute display of fireworks and the
heavens are obscured by the rockets
and pieces shot into the air, there to
explode, showering and sparkling fire
in all directions.
Numerous set pieces wee displayed,
among them being an American beauty
rose, surrounded with the green leaves
of it's bush, making design that was
rewarded with great applause and ex-
pressions of admiration from the aud
fence. A fiery fountain was another
beautiful set piece, and the myriad of
sparks made the picture a complete and
most beautiful one.
The performance opens 18th a parade
of actors, and this spectacle, as the
populace marches down the principal
street of the city, gives opportunity
for a display of beautiful costumes.
Then comes the obstacle races be-
tween Roman boys, who exhibit
wonderful ability in hurdling. climbing
through swinging barrels and cutting
up shines" of various kinds.
Olympian sports, wrestling and box
ing, a ballet de combat, Roman statue
posturing, the Byzantian ballet and a
Pompeiian fire dance by five young
women are among the specialties which
We're good.
The Three Droles. eccentric acrobats
performed many feats, one of their
number being a homeless wonder who
tangled his limbs and body in so many
different shapes that a lightning change
artist would have expired with shame.
The exhibition, or whatever it may be
called, as a whole, is pleasing and
easily in excess of any advertising
claims made by the promoters. 1t is an
extraordinary spectacle and the aud
fence was entertained throughout in a
satisfactory manner.