The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-10
GREAT CROWDS GO ID SEE THE CIRCUS Two Fine Performances Given
 By the RingIings HARD TIMES" FORGOTTEN People Had Plenty of Money and Didn't Mind Spending Seeing
 the Big Show-Some
 Features.
HARD TIMES" FORGOTTEN

Hard times' went down to inglorious defeat before the circus yesterday If any one believed that money was scarce in the Birmingham district his opinions were set at naught by the immense crowds which thronged to see the Ring lings circus for two performances at Smiths park. Not only was the big tent filled at both performances but there were other thousands on the grounds who spent their money freely for rides on mery-go-rounds, for peeps into side shows. and for refreshments There was no lack of small change or silver dollars, either, thus proving conclusively that Birmingham has plenty of ''real' money. The circus people would take no other kind.
 Very Fine Parade.
 Circus day dawned with an indefinable stir in the air that set the small boys heart to beating faser and awakened pleasant memories in the minds of gray boards who had not forgotten childhood's S happy days. The parade was in every respect d most creditable affair, and it was punctually unwound to the gasping crowds that thronged Birmingham s streets. There was a long and glttering array-it would be hard to say how many blocks long. The cars, floats and trap pings were spick and span, despite the fact that there is only one more town to visit before the circus will disband and go into winter quarters at Kariboo, Wis. The Ringlings deserve praise for the high. point of excellence at which they maintain their huge organization Neatness, cleanliness, and order are con spicuous in every detail of their show.
 Show In Detail.
 The menagerie, a large and costly one, containing unusually large herd of elephants and many rare animals not usually seen in circus zoos, won favor with the thousands who visited the cir GUS yesterday. The performance given beneath the "big top" was bewildering in it's variety and remarkable for it's gen. eral excellence There were no poor acts at all; on the contrary there were many new features that some of the most eX- perienced circusgoers had never seen be- fore. As a rule, it seems hard to intro duce an element of newness in circus performances, but the Ringlings have succeeded in doing this season what seemed impossible. They have the best of the old acts and a great many other acts that are startlingly true. The trained elephants have more tricks than ever before, while all the other trained animals showed more than average tal- ent. company of trained pigs made a great hit while the equestrianism. the acrobatic work, the juggling. eontortion flying trapeze acts, and multitude of other features won deserved applause The three rings and two elevated stages were occupied all the time while the clowns made merry around the hippo drome.
 The races in conclusion were thrilling, being enlivened by some cowboy riding that was highly exciting. The circus pleased two great audiences who came to see and were shown. A long run will be made today to Fulton, Ky, where the closing performances of the season will be given.