"THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH."

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 278, 23 April 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

"THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH."

I don’t know (writes our London lady correspondent) whether Barnum and Bailey’s show (described as “ the greatest show on earth ”), which has been attracting such crowds since Christmas will pay a visit to New Zealand or not, but should it do so I would advise anyone who likes things on a large scale and is fond of the marvellous to “go to Barnum’s ” by all me ins, for it is well worth a visit if only to see the magnitude of the show and the complete arrangement as regards order and the comfort of the visitors. To really appreciate it though, you would have to visit it half-a-dozen times at least. It is too largo ; there is too much to see. The menagerie, the “ freaks of nature” (which 1 don’t care for), and other exhibitions on view before the grand circus show are of themselves more than enough for several visits. Then you take your seats in the immense amphitheatre and the circus pc- formances begin. There are three different rings, with performingccpiestiians, men, women and animals, going on all at the same time, so that it is impossible to keep the eye fixed on all at once. Ido not as a rule like acrobat’c exhibitions and a; rial flights, but I confess those at Barnum’s performed by “ladies of the ring” are really worth looking at The girls are so very graceful in their movements, and there is nothing objectionable or outrageous in any single performance. As to somersaults and Catherine w heels, never did I sec man or boy cut such capers, or with such celerity as those girl clowns. Dressed in funny, old-fashioned costumes, they had the most ludicrous appearance as they went spinning round and round, with their skirts dying in all directions. The horses (of which there are about 300 altogether) pleased me most. To see seventy of these beautiful and well-trained creatures come in and take their proper places in the ring (in which circular tiers of woodwork had been placed) and stand tier above tier with their fore-feet placed on the one above them and their heads turned towards their trainer wdio was seated on a lovely white horse on a pedestal at the top, and the lust lot (a'l black horses) standing sideways on the bottom wood round all the others in one compact circle was, to my thinking, the best sight of all. Then at a word they all raced round in right and left circles, all being done entirely by tin nisei vcs. The giantess gorilla, “Johanna,” is very amusing. She wears a complete woman's dress, and performs her toilet most sedately, washing her hands and face, using her brush and comb, and then taking afternoon tea with you in a most engaging and affable manner, such as only a gorilla could show. There is a first-rate band of music worth listening to. The expenses attached to this show' must be enormous. Over 1,300 hands arc employed and it cost over £50,000 before opening at Olympia. So much for the “ Greatest Show on Earth.”