New-York tribune., 1908-03-20
CAST OF BLUFFS"
The CIRCUS.
"Barnum & Bailey" at the Garden.

One of the principal charms Of performance
a. the circus Is the decisive almost
element OF it IS genuine. II there is a feat that
depends for effect upon fllusIonthat is TO say
upon successful bewderment of the auditors per-
ception-the performers of that feat are exactly
what they pretend be--persons who create iiu-
sion by deceiving the senses From the manager
the etzetties everything and everybody is what
it pretends 10 be The habit of using expletives
10 describe the CIRCUS is, therefore unnecessary.
The observer always knows what 10 eXpect-nan1e-
". pleasure and excitement-and he IS never dis
appointed. Names have changed, but facts nave
not. TO-DAY the rings arenas = but the per
foruarces in them are not different from what
they were. except in being more novel and more
shsorbinglv Interesting. There is the elegant ring
master: there is the facetous clown: there are the
trained horses; there Is the atmosphere OF hShl'
notion rirth and athletic achievement: and, over
all there is the interest Of reality II rope brea KS
if foot slips, if a brace is out Of place-Dedth
But the rope viii break: the foot Will not
slip; the brace will not be out of position. FROM
beginning to end the exhibition is replete with
novelty and diversity il gratifes the vision ana II
keeps the mind continually excited and amused
The Barnum & Bailey Circus. that opened at
Madison Square Garden last night tunder the hlah-
agement of Messrs. Rim gling-happy name for 4
circus manager,t. is almost excessive and is en-
trely bewidering in the number and variety OF ''s
novel and effective features. The word OF promise
that was spoken for 1t. in advance OF Its arrival
has been amply and brilliantly fuhlled-and that Is
an achievement a
has already made. III this paper. or seVsraI OF
me more conspicuous feats thar distinguish the
exhibition and serve TO make Il extraordinary Inc
composed behavior of ''Wotan." trained horse
that makes balloon ascension, and the starting
feat Of the rival automobiles, hurting through the
air in the course Of their frightfully periIous race.
are productive alike of wonder and terror, ana tne
ne nory of them IS one of overwhelming admiration
Of skill ingenuity and inveterate courage The
female performers who ride In those automobiles
s.r-F,.
steel The horse Wotan is, of course, under con-
tro OF his mistress. Lena Marrder. but only per
former Of intrepid spirit and adalnantIne con-
stancv could endure the ordeal of that balloon
secant and descent, the latter made amid the be
u-fIdarnoeut of fireaorks, The great audience-in
itself a most imposing spectacie-"as moved 10 a
tremendous outburst Of spontaneous enthusiasm
The doors Of the Garden were thrown open to
r,,asre an hour before the performance began and
men women and children visited and admired the
numerous clIrostes view in the nenagerie and
curio halls AT exactly SI3 the long and varied
en+ar+ainn1ert was opened with procession, aptly
described in the programme as grand tourna-
Taent There passed in review before the audi
erc fou- hundred historical characters, represent
ing the different phases in the national life OF the
Egvptians Phistines, PhGncians. Africans Abys-
sfnians Romans and Greeks. At the close OF
that briIIiar.t spectacl- the regular performance
began and from that moment until five minutes 10
eleven o'clock the assemblage was lavishly enter
tanned.
The various acts were divided in the programme
into ''displays'' of which there were twenty one
more fascinating than the other Mention may be
made here of the chief novelties offered this
They are the Three Trina Sisters in q daring mid
air acrobatic performance the Leamy Ladies in a
brilliant gymnastic ACT, that closes with daring
performance Illuminated bicycle and
trapeze; the -Four Nevaros. who execute feats OF
daring on a slack wire: the Ten Metzettes clever
family of acrobats. and the Great Fredians who
give fine exhibition of equestrian skill The show
closes with the hazardous act Of Autos That Pass
in the Air thriIlin9~ novelty that was long
and enthusiastically appa uded last night
The circus is for the old. the young but It IS
especially the delight Of the young and the present
r,anaeeuent of this famous amusement mas Wisely
oyiIed an extra act the children. II is display
NJ II In 1t intelligent ponies, dogs. donkeys ana
,,rne- old elephants perform. Mention should also
be made of the pleasant minlcry OF a group OF
clowns and variety performers IL is 70 ne regTelteu
,r,+ the big show has not provided really sood
clown such clown. for instance as was identl-
fed with the Ringing Brothers own show The
1o,,-7 * 4 circus character, and has been looked
,1rop. especially the road, as one OF the star
features of the sho"
--hare is an aspect Of the Crcus,-littie corsid-
"a az a rule but Interesting and worthy OF
- 49,. ,,ositIon namely. of its Manager
There Is OF course splendid training and method
in the working of this great enterprise; there are
clever assistants and resolute executives; uefe are
.r,r..ar+ heads OF departments, divisions. etC
% 10 Manager OF the Circus. If he is successful
.a7g If he IS not does not long remain IN ornce1'
! tr,ilv q Manager He must be a judge az cil1t-
.+ar. he must Know men and how to govern them.
ID must Uossess in o liberal measure, patience
'a,s,a,cs and rpsolute will The height OF every
ratlroad bridge the size of every rhiroad tui-
ei must be known him. and his knowledge must
~. instantly at his command He must kno" the
orlce of almost everything,-from manila rope TO
;.+.r,s ink. from tin cup a giraffe: from "A
t.,,,,onotsrnus 10 yard OF canvas; ana, AT az
,i,,es he must be ready for every eIneig gency'
,yhetber il be Ii wreck a railroad an Overflow
ir., river or a walnut wedged IN the trunk or iIlS
1,e,-,,irq elephgnu The machine over which he
,rasfdes is complex and wonderful. and IT cannot
40 tts work perfectly il the least cog OF IL Is out
of place The mind OF the Manager Il the respoIl-
shIs ND that must keep every part OF tEs ma