Fifty Years of a Showman's Life, or, The Life and Travels of Van Hare
By: by himself.
Contributors: McManus-Young Collection (Library of Congress)
Edition: First
Publisher: W.H. Allen
Published: 1888
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 418
Subjects: Van Hare, G., b. 1815.; Circus performers -- Great Britain -- Biography.
Other titles: Life and travels of Van Hare.
First sentence: I was born at Barlow Hall, near Selby, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, on the 15th of September, 1815, and inherited a most extraordinary memory, for I can recollect every circumstance that has passed from day to day from my childhood, but I hadn't it with me on that eventful day, for I can't bring to my mind whether it was on a beautiful bright day, or a dreadful dark night, when the authors of my being were rejoicing over this restless young scapegrace, nor did they have the presumption to think or even hope that their youthful progeny would ever attain that most sublime honour of being a showman. Why should they? They had never heard of any of the family bearing that distinguished title, nor would they, if they had traced their genealogy back to the landing of William the Conqueror, whom the family of Hare are supposed to have accompanied.
Notes: Source: Gift of John J. and Hanna M. McManus and Morris N. and Chesley V. Young, Oct. 12, 1955.
Table of contents: title: CHAPTER I. Early Life …………………….1; title: CHAPTER II. First Experience as a Public Caterer………... 18; title: CHAPTER III. In Ireland ........... 33; title: CHAPTER IV. The Bedouin Arab Troupe ........ 43; title: CHAPTER V. With E. T. Smith .......... 68; title: CHAPTER VI. Expedition To Hamburg — The Persian Prince ………….. 70; title: CHAPTER VII. The Wizard Dog Napoleon ........ 85; title: CHAPTER VIII. Tour In Spain .......... 103; title: CHAPTER IX. Bull Fights ........... 119; title: CHAPTER X. The "Mary Elizabeth" ........ 180; title: CHAPTER XI. At Cadiz ........... 138; title: CHAPTER XII. Start For Africa .......... 154; title: CHAPTER XIII. Gorilla Hunting ……….170; title: CHAPTER XIV. Back To The Coast ………184; title: CHAPTER XV. The Fan Country………. 196; title: CHAPTER XVI. Among The Cannibals …………212; title: CHAPTER XVII. Europe Again………… 223; title: CHAPTER XVIII. Havana ……………..280; title: CHAPTER XIX. At Cadiz Again ………….247; title: CHAPTER XX. Tour With The Amateur Spanish Gymnasts ……….254; title: CHAPTER XXI. Farewell To Spain ………..273; title: CHAPTER XXII. Hassan, The Gorilla Chief …………282; title: CHAPTER XXIII. Hassan's Engagements …………….299; title: CHAPTER XXIV. Hassan's Teeth .......... 316; title: CHAPTER XXV. Continental Tour……………… 340; title: CHAPTER XXVI. At The Fairs Abroad ……………..367; title: CHAPTER XXVII. Hindoo Snake-Charmers……………….. 377; title: CHAPTER XXVIII. Tour In Sweden And Norway………………. 397