AMUSING THE PUBLIC.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 165, 6 April 1871, Page 5

AMUSING THE PUBLIC.

(From the "Pall 2lall Gazette." 1 )

Master Stephen Gosson, who wrote wLat'he was pleased to ca'.l "a peasant invective ag.iinst poets, pipers, players, jesters, and such like caterpillars of a commonwealth," would'find some curious texts for a discourse in the strauge shows with which we are entertained at the present day. In order to get a nriaroco3inic survey of the odd world of amusing vanities, and of the persons who devote their lives and limbs to the business of divertiug the public, it is only necessary to examine the advertising sheets of a journal specially concerned in promoting the interests of those against whom old Gossou set up his " fl.sgge of defiance " in the year 57. We propose to put before our readers the result of a short investigation recently made in. the columns of a newspaper which is generally looked upon as the orgau of the musical, equestrian, and theatrical professions.

It is not easy to classify the different species of show people developed by the current demand for various kinds of abnormal talent. Occasionally the quadrupeds are offered as more accomplished and astonishing than the human bipeds ; and the clown dog, for example, who can jeer with his hind legs at h»s own master, fairly claims to be reckoned among the Christian merry men who are distinguished as talking clowns, singing clowns, knockabout clowns, and " extempore-punning" clowns. We discover a connection not to ba ethnologically justified between what are known as Irish comics and nigger melodists. The manager who desires to furnish his establishment wii.li one usually applies for the other ; and a very pretty entertainment thess blended mimetic nationalities must produce. Within the last twelvemonths, the can-can dancers have increased in popularity. They go on tour 3, like the stars of legitimate comedy, and the lady who leads the troupe duly publishes the geographical area of operations with a flourish of "Opinions of the Press" on the corps from kindly and discreet critics. A celebrated artiste of the chaste quadrille quotes the " Morning Post." which referred to her ("the Cha-.ripion Cancar.ist") as exhibiting something of the power which Carrick described in Lvn — " When Lun appeared with matchless art and whim, He gave the power of speech to every limb."

Tne Champion Cancanist was quite right not to conceal so superb a compliment as this under a bushel. The gymnasts, male and female, muster in great force. One lofty and ambitious tumbler, alluding to himself, like Casaar, in the third person, declares that he "stands Al in his mid-air and Herculanean entertainments. He does notintroduce childish tricks, such as hanging by the toes and nose (?) dropping on one leg quick to stun people and stunning yourself; doing leaps for life, which often end in death. What he acconiplishes are sterling feats, executed with ease and grace, a pleasure to witness, combined with a smart appearance." We have also " electric "* gymnasts (the name suggests the gymnotus), " who takes a double leap for life every evening." The proprietor of a music-hall offers to accept the challenge of a rival entrepreneur, and will back his Madame Cerissa for L 25 to outshine Madame Le Blonde on the double trapeze, in somersaulting, in pirouetting, in hand to hand leaps. When Madame Le Blonde is beaten in these feminine and elegant exercises, Madame Cemsa is open to a contest with any female acrobat in the universe. The lady globe -walker, we leain is v the talk of the town," and must be seen to be believed." A father who walks on a wire offers his son to represent a monkey, a dog, or a cat, for Christmas. The technical education of the youth dots not seem to have been neglected by his parent. Anothfr preparation for the amusement of the public is described as " the infantine essence of negro droliery." Madame Wheeler has a husband who manages the " Kalospinthechromokrose," while Madame and a select patty exemplify "living statuary, taken from mythology, illuminated with powerful lime lights." A comedy is offered for sale, in the manner of a child's caul, in " The Times "" — to save a sinking lessee from destruction. A gentle >nan who is retiring from the profession is ready to sacrifice the wig, moustaches, and baujo, with which he made his fortune for a trifle. Pauoramas are drugs in the market. A speculator in a panorama can have one dirt-cheap, with a lecturer and " a man who understands naphtha lamps" thrown into the bargain. Musicians, on contrary, are difficult to procure. A flute who would be content with life as it is in a lunatic asylum, is tempted with £30 per annum, two suits of clothes in the j'ear, and hia meals. A "married bombardon" is another desideratum. "Musicians," writes a circus manager in atone of manifestly bitter facetiousn.es3, " who cannot give 'two bars' notice without leaving need not communicate." The owner of the horses Saladin and Sultan wants an entire company of ladies and gentlemen to act up to these distinguished animals. ITors is an attractive proclamation for a capitalist-*-*' Theatre, to let. Population about 20,000. , Jlo> place of amusement" within thirteen miles."' v "'' "• "