CHIARINT'S CIRCUS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 268, 22 November 1879, Page 2

CHIARINT'S CIRCUS.

Never before in Nelson was there congregated under one roof so large a crowd as that wbich assembled last night in the big pavilion where Cbiarini's circus troupe give their performances. Tbe crowd alone was a sight worth seeing, especially when some particular performance elicited a larger amount of applause than usual, and then the quick action of tier upon tier of hands in the act of clapping presented a most peculiar appearance. The number present was variously estimated at between 2000 and 2500. The pro- , ceedings commenced by a troupe of eight gorgeously dressed horsemen and horsewomen entering the arena upon grey horses, well shaped, displaying playing good breeding, and in splendid condition, and after going through various movements they baited and formed two ranks in open order, when Signor Cbiarini and Miss Nellie Reid, the " Queeu of the Arena," entered on two magnificent black stallions, and then the manoeuvres became more and more complicated until the audience were lost in wonder at the marvellously perfect state of training to which the horses have been brought. Mr Sylvester then introduced his two zebras, which went through all sorts of performances, showing how complete is the mastery he has obtained over them. The next item on the programe wa9 to our thinking the best of the evening. ft consisted of the performances of the pretty and graceful Miss Rosa Lee on a barebacked horse. The ease and dexterity with which this charming young lady performed ail sorts of juggling tricks, such as balancing numerous plates simultaneously on the points of knives held in her hand and in her mouth, throwing up and catching three knives at a time, and soon, while cantering round the ring at a smart canter were surprising to a degree, ami she well earned the repeated rounds of applause with which she was greeted. Miss Nellie Read then made her second appearai.ee accompanied by a very handsome grey horse, which, obedient to her word, went through all kinds of strange movements, including the dancing of a jig on a small raised platform about six feet in diameter. The "boneless man," Mons Bartolo, we shall not attempt to describe, for any endeavor to do so would be sure to result in failure, and even if we did, succeed, nobody would believe what they read in the absence of ocular demonstration of its truth. Then there was more riding and jumping through hoops such as is inseparable from circus performances, and Signor Cbiarini, at one time with two black stallions, and at another with a beautiful chestnut horse exhibited the power he had over these animals, and to what perfection they are to be trained when taken in hand by one who so thoroughly understands them as he does. Some very graceful feats were then performed on a swinging trapeze by a young lady, who appeared to be quite as much at home twenty feet up in the air as on the ground. The was followed by Mdlle Lotta, " the woman with the iron jaws," and also the proprietress of muscular arms that many a man might envy. Her first performance was to seize an ordinary American wooden chair by the back with her teeth and swing it backwards and forwards with as much ease as an ordinary individual would the tiniest of doll's chairs ; then by way of recreation she picked up a pair of heavy dumb-bells, in the handling of which she exhibited a pleasing gracefulness combined with proof of great strength; then more chairbiting, and this time it was swung and shifted about in such a manner as to exercise the great-

est amount of leverage upon the powerful jaw by which it was gripped ; more dumb-bells, and then an eighteen gallon cask containing ttatei- was lifted by the lady's teeth by a cord which was fastened to It} then she hung by her feet from the trapeze, a rope, to which was attached a cannon staled to weigh 1751b5, was suspended from her teeth, and in this particularly uncomfortable position she fired off the piece of ordnance. Some splendid feats were then petforrfled by a young boy on a bareback horse, and here again obr descriptive powers are entirely inadequate to giving even a fair idea of his performances, which can only be properly appreciated by those who have seen them. The tigers in their cage were theu wheeled into the arena, and Mr Wilson entered, and ,»ent through a variety of performances with the savage and treacherous brutes, afier whidh ihey were rewarded by receiving certain delicate morsels' iv the shape of big lumps of beef, tbeir appreciation of which wa9 given expression to by ugly roars, wbich made many a one look to tbe iron bars which fenced them in to see that they were thoroughly strong.and perfectly sound. This brought to a close a performance which wits the beat of its kind that has been seen in Nelsou The management is perfect, and the whole of the appointments are excellent. No time is lost in unnecessary delays, as there is a large staff of attendants', all dressed in neat livery, and thoroughly up to tlieir work, so that everything is done with the regularity of clockwork. Tbe clowns are fuil of fun and tricks, and both young and old are every now and then provoked [to uncontrollable laughter by their drolleries. If Signor Chiarini is as well satisfied with his reception here as the people are with the performances of his clever company, he will certainly carry away with him very pleasant recollections of Nelson. This afternoon there was another large at teudance- especially of children, whose faces of wonderment at the various equestrian performances were a perfect study, and whose peals of laughter at the jokes and antics of the clowns were a treat to listen to. There will be another performance this evening, and again on Monday afternoon and evening.