New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-03-26
HO. FOR THE CIRCUS!
RINGLING BROS. OPEN.
Many NoUeIties Introduced at the
Big Shoe an the Garden.

There is new occasion for rejoicing The circus
novel crcus-is here, and not even the pentential
season is likely to affect the attendance at the en-
tertainnent offered at Madison Square Garden.
1.-THE weather Indictment" is a frequent remark
heard when pews are empty, but though that state
prevailed last night there were few unoccuped seats
in the Garden, and the gathering appeared to be
mighty glad It had left the freside for such a
purpose.
This particular circus gave reason for outbursts
of enthusiasm at the very beginning. and by IL
o'clock the spectators nodded 70 one another Sig
nfcantly. It if thew had said that the
Ringing Brothers artful lot; they knew
how and when to tickle the public, and years Of
practical experience had taught them that Amer
lean audiences like method in the mad rapidly of
the tent entertainment.
Promptly at the hour set. S:15. there
flourish of trumpets and then came forth the ag-
gregation Of troopers. acrobats, bareback riders;
assemblage of attractive women and healthy
men: stately performing horses. Shetland ponies
elephants. heavy dray horses, group of clowns
and varied assortment Of entertainers-al freshly
attlred and eager for their professional occupation
of diverting the public. The last Of those who had
taken part in the professional were hardly hidden
from view when AL. Ringing stepped forth and
took upon himself the direction OF the first night
in New York.
One by one at his command. the numerous and
pleasant array OF novelties was unfolded. The
first or Introductory pa geant closed with ballet,
in which several fine and spirited animals partci-
pated II was excellent exhibition Of skill in
riding, and aroused tremendous applause from the
assenblage. The horses plunged through and over
network OF garlands with grace and agility that
excited the admiration Of every one present This.
the first of the novelties, gave the audience only
the faiutest notion OF the entertainment arranged
To describe the rapidly changing features from be-
ginning to end would require more than one column
OF a newspaper. 1t is enough. for the present TO
make known that the circus is a capital one in
many ways.
There are three rings and two stages. and all
are continuously occupied from the entrance OF
the procession until the final thriller in which
young woman La Belle Roche compacentiy
sits in an automobile that Is hurled twice in the
air before it lands upon a platform That act is
improvement Of performed here last year
and is seemingly more hazardous
There are twenty displays or acts. and each
OF them is diverting; Of them in-
structive. The platform performances are prac-
tlcally side shows On them are presented sew
eral hair-raising speciaties. The first offered last
night was an exhibition Of head walking" that
appeared to excite the wonder OF the spectators.
The Patti Brothers were the performers. and
Of them. Alexander. standing upon his head
elevated platform moved gradually TO flight Of
stairs. He bounced down these, one at time.
and the noise Of his crown hitting them brought
a gasp from everybody in the audience. It was
a heady feat and the performer deserved the APP
p!ause he got.
In the equestrian acts tho particular novelty was
group or nne animals. under the whip or Albert
Schumann. II is called 'the brewery act because
OF the special feature introduced 4 pair OF heavy
horses haul into OF the rings a big wagon
built after the manner Of those used by brewers
There Is a huge piece OF canvas artfully fixed
over the wagon to give the Illusion OF casks OF
beer. The spirited animals. when the vehicle has
been stopped. plunge through the casks with light
ninglike rapidly.
Particular attention should be called to per-
Torrance by the Arthur Saxon Trio three strong
" built men. who give amazing exhibition Of
strength. Two Of them support a bridge
which automobile. heavily freighted, Is driven;
a third balances upon his feet a plank upon
which twelve men standing.
The Curzon Sisters act is not a new one but Il
is always pleasing to the eve. and they were
appauded last night for fully five minutes. There
several groups of clowns. and each is min
iature show in ITSELF The andes of these painted
artists OF the ring exceedingly funny. It's a
feat TO be funny nowadays. but the aggregation OF
clowns in this circus has accomplished IT.
The news incident in connection with this circus
is that It has never before been seen here The
reason Is part and parcel OF the history OF circus
DOM in which the public probably is not interested
Thousands OF men. women and children outside
the city Of New York have been amused by the
Ringing Brothers Show above a quarter OF a cen
fury. and II the evidence of the eye means any
thing the brothers should have reason TO
lament their first at Madison Square Gar
den.