ST. LEON'S ROYAL PALACE CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2074, 22 October 1885, Page 2

ST. LEON'S ROYAL PALACE CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE.

This big shovr opened at Hamilton on Tuesday evening, and despite the state of tho weather, was well patronised. To say it U the best thiug of its kind that as ever visited Wiiikato would not convey an adequate idea of its merits. Fairly good circuses have coma this way, but tho real circus business, namely, the feats of horsemanship, have always been of a third class character. This is not the case with St. Loon's, when the riding forms, as it should, the principal feature in the programme. But while it excels in this regard, the other elements that go to make a hrst-class performance were forthcoming. The acrobatic feats were fully up to the mark, while the trapeze and wire walking acts were especially good. Tho clownu were immense. We have seen or heard none better in the colony. Tho performance com* menced on Thursday night with tho usual overture by the efficient band attached to the establishment, under the leadership of Professor Smith. Tho "Mascotte Entreo " by members of the company on eight thoroughbreds, gave an opportunity to Mr Jone«, the trainer, of showing the resources of tho stud to advantage. The nurueroHs evolutions were neatly and rapidly executed. Messrs Tindall and Fittman, performed some astonishing feati on the aerial double trapeze, and the appearance of that most amusing of clowns, Talbot McLood, heralded Mr Alfred St. Leon in his wonderful sotnorsault equestrian act. Mr McLeod kept the youthful portion of the audience, and not a few of tho eldrrs, in roars of laughter, while, wit, humour and satire sparkled on hi* tongue. The Russian stallion " Abdallah," introduced by Miss Ida Vernon, performed some startling feats, and together with his fair trainer received the loud applause of tho audience. Little Gus " Tho champion boy Equestrian " was next introduced by his father, Mr Gus St. Leon. Master (Jus is only four year* old, and scarcely looks as much, and yet he rode barebacked on his two lilltputian ponies " General " and " Washington " in a style that would havo done no discredit to the great Gomeisil himself. Tho performance on the invisible wire of Master Erar, is indeed a " Japane-e Wonder " was one of tho best things on tho programme. Mr Gus St. Leon's champion act of horsemanship consist-, in his manipulation of eight horses going at top •peed, and was at once clever and graceful. The first part concluded with a grand exhibition of ground and lofty tumbling, led by Mons Seho, and participated in by a dozen " knights of tho carpet," a title which we presume is not identical with that of "carpet knights." Master Gus contributed to this item. Tho second part opened with a pretty double equestrian act by Mr Gus St. Leon and Miss Rose Victoria, Mr Bits* acting in tho high and honourable capacity of clown. Mr Jone.s and the Messrs St. Leon perfoimed tho duties of ringmaster alternately during tho evening. Tho Arab horse "Echo," carrying Miss Ida Vernon, peifoimed some giacoful feats, such as would place him well in the front in the hunting field, and win the admiration even of "New Chum." Mr W. Jones put his magnificently-trained stallion "Emperor" through a most bewildering number of tricks, with the assistance of Mr Bliss. Mr Eugeno Tindall electrified the audience by liis evolutions on tho lofty ti apeza, and the performance concluded with an excellent version of " Dick Turpin'.s ride to York," Mr Gus St. Leon in tho rolo of the hero, and Mr Alfied St. Loon in that of Tom King. The various incidents in tho old familiar story were faithfully reproduced, down to the death and burial of Bonny Black Bess, the heartiest upplauso greeting the efforts of the various actors. Several items of minor interest filled up tho programme, Mr Duvalh also appearing as clown. Though we have reserved our notice of tho menagerie until the last, it is tho first part of tho show seen by tho visitors, and is by no means the least interesting. The animals include a couple of camels ; one being a survivor of tho Burko and Wills relief expedition : two very fine specimens of the Royal Bengal Tiger, male and female ; two black boars, a leopard, a cheetah, a Tasmanian devil, a dingo, half a dozen wallabies, a family of monkeys, and nomo romarkably small ponies. The keeper, Mr Madden, is tho soul of affability, and is never weary of describing the habits, rolating tho history, and extolling the private virtues of his pots. Needless to say the menagerie is a never failing source •( interest to the jurenilcs. There was an afternoon performance yesterday, and the company again appeared in the evening. Both representations were fairly well attended. In the evening there was an entire change of programme, introducing the equestrian vaulting act, and tho double equestrian act of the Broi. Leon. Altogether, the show is an excellent one, and we heartily commend it to the attention of all those who desire a genuine three hours' amusement. The arrangements in every department aro moat complete, and it is easy to sco that the Bros. St. Loan ha*e graduated in a good school. The circus will appear at Te Awamutu to-night, Kihikihi to-morrow night, and at Cambridge on Saturday night.

Niw York Citt ha« 03,000 paupers. In oat advertising columni Mrs Gwynno draws the Attention of tho travelling public «nd others to tht attractions of the Hamilton Hotel.