THE CIRCUS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5320, 15 April 1878, Page 2

THE CIRCUS.

bine prevailed on Saturday, and the matinee performance was attended by over 2000 persons, the juvenile element predominating. A grand triumphal cavalcade intro, .duced. the entire company . mounted oh »aily caparisoned horses, the herd of elephants, camels, banner-bearers, &c. The entree waa a. very effective ' one. The elephant Titauia followed in a series of wonderful feats, which her trainer, Professor Johnson, had taught her ; and a lengthy and varied programme waa gone through, iu a manner which both astonished and delighted the spectators. After the circus performance, those present were afforded an .opportunity, of seeing the animals fed, which being a' novel feature to most of those present proved highly attractive. The collection of beasts includes a herd of six elephants, a drove of camels, a black hairy rhinoceros, a sea-lion, two lions and a lioness, a Bengal tiger, an American bison, an American elk, a snake, &c. A concert and variety entertainment concluded the afternoon’s show. ; EVENING PERFORMANCE. It was announced that the doors would be opeu at 7 o’clock for the evening performance, but long before that hour people began to crowd in, and by a quarter past more than three-fourths of the seats were filled. The desire to get good places, or indeed any place at all, prevented many from spending much time.in the menagerie tents, and the animals did notreceive much attention, as would other wise, have been the case. When the circus was as full as it was fair to the spectators to crowd it, the doors were closed, and many hundreds who intended to pay a visit had to go away disappointed. Of these a good many patronised what is called a “ side show,” where there were several curiosities, including the learned pig, who rather astonished the beholders by playing and winning a game of euchre, its opponent being one who was deemed an expert. The immense body of people grouped round the arena in the large tent had ah imposing effect, and it may be safely said that many of those present had never in their lives seen so large a number- assembled together. Young Wellington was greatly astonished, and old people could not but regard the gathering as a striking proof of the rate at which the population here has increased of late.

The performance commenced with the usual cavalcade, and the horses and riders, all gaily bedecked, looked as usual picturesque. The appearance of the trained,, elephant Titania and the tricks it performed afforded surprise to those to whom such a sight was a novelty. The huge ungainly animal proved its docility, and (if the term may be used) its agility, by waltzing, walking on its knees, balancing on a pedestal, and by various other tricks, all of which were gone through with ponderous deliberation. The act concluded with a sensational scene. Mr. G. W. Johnson, the ■ trainer, stretched himself on the ground and allowed Titania to step over him twice. Abalardo Lowande introduced the first ’equestrian act, and proved himself very expert in leaping ; his feat of throwing three spnjersaults in quick succession over banners earned him very hearty applause. One of the b’st things done was the leaping from a spring board by Mr. W. Batchelor, who after some preliminary jumps, in which he was accompanied by other members of the company, gave ah astonishing proof of his skill. Next to the spring board there were placed three elephants' aide by side, then four camels and one: dromedary, and over these 5 sprang “the champion leaper of the world,”-as the bill styled him, turning two somersaults as he went flying through the air. ' This was sensational, but that which followed, i was more so. Martinho Lowande, after doing all sorts of things on a bare-backed horse, had handed tb him his son, a tiny little fellow of four years, and after several proofs of the baby’s skill and coolness, the child stood on his father’s head, and kept his balance there without any assistance, the horse cantering round the ring all the : time. Then Tony, a few years older, eclipsed this feat by standing on.his father’s head with one foot, while holding his other foot in one hand. There was some clever juggling by a Japanese, who is no doubt proud of his name,' Awati Gatnoshin. Professor Richards gave an excellent performance with the Indian clubs, an exercise which when > well done is decidedly graceful, and requires strength and great skill, with quickness oh the hands and sight. There were many other acts, in which the various perforraers-acquitted themselves successfully. The bumpkin who stumbles into the ring and will insist on riding a horse, and who turns out to be one of the company, was duly represented, but it was a failure as far as cleverness was concerned, and might well be omitted. The joke is top; stale, and to be worth a laugh must be much better carried out. Act No. 15 and last consisted of Professor Johnson, the, lion-tanner, entering a cage with thrtee lions,’ aud when there making them go through some tricks. A atari ling effect was produced by the professor firing off a, revolver rapidly, thus causing not a few to think that he had been attacked by one of the lions. After the circus part of the show was’ over, a concert, for admission’ to which a shilling was charged, was given to a large audience. It took a longtime for the immense crowd to get out by one dhorway, and it would he very convenient if one er two more exists were provided at the close 'of the main portion of the entertainment. Those who had. to show the audience to the seats and find room for such a crowd, did their work very well indeed, and prevented any confusion arising. It would be advisable for young children to go in the afternoons, for they would have a much better opportunity of seeing the sights in the menagerie than they can have at night, and they would not be so crowded. ■ ■ ■