New-York tribune., 1907-03-31
RIOTOUS ADJECTIVES.
Barnum S BGiIey's Programme a
Verbal BrainStOrm.

The circus press agent is irrepressble. Just
plnolt the time when he seems TO have exhausted
all the possibilities OF adjective and ALTERATION.
he bohs up serenely with new lines and new
combinations OF words that tickle the fancy and
demand attention.
This years crop OF circus adjectives reaches its
apparent limit in the Barnum & Bailey ltera-
sure. and those who attend the performances Of
the big show at Madison Square Garden have no
reason 10 complain OF ennui while waiting for
che fanfare Of frumpets that signalizes the open
ang Of the pageant. In the words Of the press
agent, the printed programme is "delectably
and delightsomely Observation-Disclosures that
means.
SEN the nervy little Norwegian, perform his
novel ski sailing stunt 10 realize that II IS bcth
thrilling and unusual, for the programme con-
veys the information that the bold ski jumper
performs the most fearful. fitting falcon flights
on skimming skis" that the feat IN question Is a
'perilous, pyramidal and prodigally proficient
reproduction Of the most dangerously dlVertlng
sport IN the wide world" and that II consists OF
a lightning dive, dash and glide. on skimming
skis down declivitous incline: sweeping, soar
ing, sensational flight through space. across a
greWsome gap. and finish on a resilient land
sng platform" Certainly that Is going some
even for circus press agent.
Our ole friend. the Dip Of Death" in which
Isabelle Butler, a young American girl, takes
soaring skid through space IN an automoolle. IS
adJectlHely served up IN brand new dress: rms
year il is delightfully."- daring. dashing death
defying automobile flight and somersaulL" But
this IS not all II Is also ''the crOWuiDg culll-
nation Of the circus sensations OF a century; an
set that reaches the topmost limit OF daring and
devilish endeavor. and makes all the other So
called auto thrillers seem poor, puny and profit
less beside st.: presented in all its audacioEs yet
artistic awfulness at cost so stupendous as to
Btagger belief, and with such reckless disre-
gard OF danger as 10 astOnish. startle and stu
pefy the spectators; a diabolical deVil-wagon
drive down a precptous incline: dizzy dread
some. dauntless dip: appalnngly perilous
aeTial flight; smooth, slick and sliding landing
on moOn-shaped receiving platform, and safe,
sure and satisfying spin 20 the grOund-and all
in the space OF a dozen seconds" Whew!-and
there are literary fellows who say that the Eng
nsh language lacks in expression and variety! .
If all this doesn't satisfy ones zest for adj
sective and ALTERATION there Is still the pretty
and picturesque prelude to the worlds greatest
programme Of pleasurable performances" which
IS graphically described in q line as THE Pa
geant of the Nations" "a gorgeous, glorious
picture Of military movement and cosmopolitan
costumng" which leads up TO and concludes
with the new. novel and surprisingly splendid
horse ballet. the Tournament OF the GaTlands.
presenting the royal troupe OF trained thorough
breds in the prettiest and most POLITICALLY pleas
1ng cOnceit OF the year-an equine dance of the
waving lOral wands: and the Manuel HerZog
school of stations in remarkable display OF
trained animal intelligence and control"
circus without programme would be a sad
affair." and circus programme without its ailit-
eratively artistic descriptions and curious climax
Gaping comments would seem stale, fat and
WOfuly improbable.