The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, June 9, 1895, Page 17

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1895. TrEASURES OF Winosor Castre. LONDON, May 20, 1895.—There is mno| greater treasure-house of all that is good | and beautiful in art manufacture than | Windsor Castle. Whether we consider the | pictures, the furniture, the plate, bronzes, | china or the marvelous collection of objets @art, with which its rooms are literally crowded, we can come to but one conclu- | sion. There is nothing of an inferior char- | acter. On entering the royal residence by the grand entrance and staircase, so splen- didly decorated by the jubilee presents and ‘ the trophies of old arms and armor, we | find facing the full-length marble statue of | George IV, by Chantrey, a curious and beautiful Burmese dragon gun. This was | taken with others from King Thebaw’s | palace at Mandalay. It is mounted on a | carriage of English workmanship made at ; Woolwich, for another gun which was | taken from Burmese pirates. As will be noticed, the name ‘“Dragon” is bestowed on the gun from its pattern, the muzzle being shaped to resemble a dragon’s | head and the design continued throughout the weapon until the breech-is finished by 2 curved, scaly tail. But leaving for the admiration of experts the general collec- tion, we will proceed to notice some few objects of truly historical interest in the private apartments. | The first in chronological order, which | hang in a quaint little badly lighted cham- | ber, seldom visited except by the royal family and their friends, and known as “the Chapel Retiring-room,” are some curious portraits by Holbein, Janet d other old masters. ‘They are mostly of small size set in plain, narrow. gilt frames. he colors are unfortunately somewhat faded by time. Here, as central figures, may be seen Henry VIII and the unfortu- nate Anne Boleyn, painted by. Holbein. | Henry, as in all'the well-known portraits, wears his flat embroidered hat with feath- ered edge, and gazes with bluff and sturdy countenance composedly at the spectator. A curious feature of the portrait (possibly | an error of the painter) is that the right | eve is distinctly smaller than the left. | Anne, his consort, o a long, oval face | with a_rather dreamy ression; also a | charming bust and khmlL{ers Suspended | from a handsome necklace she wears a | jeweled pendant in the form of the letter | Probably this was a present from her | royal swain in early, happy days. | Attached to the wall, between these two | portraits, is a most daintily-wrou ‘ bracket-clock, which S presi v orning of their The design of egant, and might well r modern French work. The material is richly chased ormolu. At the summit of the domed top is a lion rampant | y ing a shield engraved with the | s of England quartered with | France. On the bracket en | 1 costumes of the period are em- | in low relief. They probably repre- | sent some members.of the royal family. | CURIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL WORKS OF ART. Prominent in the design are the rose, crown, thistle and fleur de lis. ; As one gazes on the upright figure with its tattered plumes and notices the dent | s | on the right cheek of the head-piece it is | | | | | | difficult to avoid moralizing on the conse- | quences of Henry seems to have c 1sed universal grief throughout the nation. s sudden death. It| He had not | markable object in his Royal Highness’s collection is a suit of armor made from the horny scales of the Indian armadiilo, in- crusted with gold and set with turquoises and garnets. There is also a complete suit of Cashmere chain-armor, which is almast as fine as lacework. 5 Tn immediate proximity to the Indian battle-ax is one of the most barbarous but ingenious weapons ever invented. It ap- pears to_be a finely finished old Italian rapier. When a spring in the hilt is | touched a number of small steel spikes start out from the parent blade, and remain rigid at an acute angle. 7 fin the same apartment is also to be | found a collection of Naruleonic relics, in- ally covered with finely executed details. | cluding the _beautifully enameled and jeweled sword of Murat. Here, too, are relics of Tippoo Saib, Sultan of Mysore. The first is a lifesized tiger’s head, which formed one of the chief ornaments of Tip- poo’s throne. The head is formed of thick plates of solid gold, laid over carved wood, and is covered with engraved leaf orna- mentation. The eyes and teeth are of fine rock crystal. The tongue is made of plain THE IVORY THRONE. reached his eighteenth year, and yet con- temporary hi torians say he already pos- sessed more dignity and commanded more respect than his father with all his learn- ing and experience. In the ‘“North Corridor’’ is a small but much-prized relic of William the Dutch- man and Mary, his queen—an old Eng- lish clock by D. Quare. It has a lever escapement and a beautiful engraved sil- ver dial plate. On one side of the clock is engraved within a medallion the mono- A BURMESE DRAGON GUN. The two leaden weights are cased in copper, gilt and elaborately engraved. In the ornamentation may be seen the initials H and A entwined ‘in true lovers’ knots. Also the mottoes “Dieun et mon droit” and | “The most Lappye.” In the beautiful armory of the north cor- ridor is a master-key of Windsor Castle, formerly the property of Queen Mary. The key is of delicately engraved, chased Henry VIII’'s Wedding Present to Anne Boleyn. and pierced steel. On the bow is shown a crown surmounting the cipher M. This is visible_on both sides. The shank and wards are elaborately chased and en- aved. grln the “Guard Chamber” one may in- spect a superb suit of armor dated 1612, which was a period when more was begin- ning to be thought of decoration than gram W. R. with a crown. The reverse side bears the crown and scepter. It is only about six inches in height, and its square squat form clearly showsits maker’s susceptibility. to courtly influences. Like its original owner, its qualities were more of the useful than ornamental description. Here are to be seen also some of the finest specimens of decorated arms in the world. * First to be noticed, in an upright ilass wall-case, is a North African gun of “rench manufacture bearing the inscrip- tion “Puifogat, Arquebusier du Roi a Paris.”. The highly polished barrel is richly en- graved throughout its length and bears gilded rays of glory and trophies of stars and half-moons at the muzzle end. The curiously constructed flint lock is heavily inlaid with silver, and the brown wood stoek is almost entirely overiaid with pink coral in silver settings of a most graceful design. The heelplate is gilded, and evi- dently no pains have been spared to turn a murderous weapon into a perfect work of art.. The gunis probably of late eighteenth century make. Let us turn next to a splendid Eastern weapon, a Javanese kriess, presented to George IV when Prince Regent by Cap- tain William Flint, R. N. Captain’ Flint speaks of the blades of these ‘weapons being frequently poisoned. This kriess has a wavy, water-marked, fluted blade, the center fute being diapered with gold and highly ornamented near the rip with gold floral work.' The richly gil% grip is composed of a grotesque figure, half man, half monkey. The sheath is of light wood encased in very fine metal repousse work. The length of the weapon is two feet. Now we notice a_ double-barreled re- yolver gun presented by the Marquis of Hastings in 18i18. It has octagonal damascened barrels - rifled with eight Brooves and is richly gilt at the muzzle and breech. There is a Persian inscrip- tion on thebarrels. The muzzles, in shape of grotesque faces, are set with four rubics and four turguoises. This gun is fitted with steel flint locks, with gilt ornamen- tation. The stock is of ehony mounted in silver. The length of the entire weapon is 4 feet 7 inches. Near to this hangs a very handsome Indian battle-ax, decorated with diaper work in goid and set with precious stones. It isa fine example of the old artwork of India, in which neither pains nor expense were spared to procure a good result. Here is another curious’ weapon, an In- dian battle-ax and pistol combined. It is yery richly engraved and inlaid with gold. Most old Indian arms are characterized by the high relief of their beautiful cut and hammered gold ornamentation, therein differing to a certain extent from the Per- sian, which depend for their beauty on their damascening, enameling and cary- ing and the rare use of gems in their Jec- oration. This particularly curious weapon is called Tupuncha, and belonged to the Rajah of Jyenagore. It was presented by the Marquis Wellesley in 1804. Rich as is her Majesty’s collection in Indian arms and armor, it is vastly ex- ceeded both in variety and _extent by that of the Prince of Wales, which represents in the manufacture of armor, %fl‘iesnsgit“:us made for Henry, Prince of Wales, eldest son of James L™ Itis liter- the armorers’ art in every province of India, and contains unique specimens from the rudest to the most ly. The most re- gold, as are also the two massive paws on which the head rests. Near to this is to be seen Tippoo’s saber, with grip, cross-guard and pommel of richly chased gilt metal. The lower part of the cross-guard and pommel represents a tiger's head, with crystal eyes. The scabbard is heavily gilt metal, of leaf-pat- tern design, and the circular shield to match is made of buffalo hide, embossed | with leaf patterns. The shield bears, in addition, six round gilt metal studs, and a plain, gilded crescent. These weapons were found with the body of Tippoo, at the ate of Seringapatam, on May 4, 1799. hey were presented to George III by Sir John Craddock in 1811. In another case stands a magnificent trophy. It isthe throne chair, footstoel, crown and scepter taken from the King of Kandy in 1815. The chair and footstool are made of pure gold plates on a hard- wood frame. very inch of the surface is richly decorated with Oriental designs. On the back are represented the sun and two female Hindoo deities. The whole fabric is thickly studded with amethysts and Tock crystals, and at the top are three splendidly cut crystal balls. The eyes of tEe dragons, which form the arms of the throne, are amethgsts of superb quality. The seat and part of the back of the throne, as well as the footstool, are upholstered in crimson velvet. The crown is circular, with four projec- tions, bearing tufts of crimson silk. It also has four tufts of blue silk in the intermedi- ate spaces. The sides of the crown are of plain gold, overlaid with jewel work in Tubies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls. The upper part is of gold repousse work. The scepter is a circular rod of plain gold, thickly ‘studded on the upper part with sharp spikes. The cap, base and bands are enriched with diamonds, em- eralds, rubies and other precious stones. The crown and scepter were given to Wil- liam IV by Sir Robert Brownrigg in 1821. ‘While on the subject. of thrones let us just glance at the beautiful specimen that stands at the west end of the ‘‘throne room.” It was Eresenced to her Majesty by the Maharajah of Travancore. It is en- tirely composed of ivory, elaborately carved and enriched with precious stones. Suit of Armor Made in 1612. The upholstery both of throne and foot- stool is in green velvet. The throne isa perfect model, as much for its adaptability to its purpose as for its graceful lines and beautiful workmanship. The ivory throne was formerly used for installalions of Knights of the Garter, but it and the “‘throne room’” have not been so used since the death of the Prince Consort. In the splendid collection of the Prince of Wales may be seen a solid silver throne, presented by the priests of Madura. The golden throne of Rangit Sing, in the India Museum, is a well-known object. The world-famed “peacock’ throne” of Delhi has ceased to exist. It was made for Shah Jehan in the first half of the seventeenth century, av a cost of over £6,000,000. Its chief ornament was a_peacock, with ex- anded tail, represented in natural colors Ey sapphires, emeralds, rubies, topazes and enamel. The body of the throne was a mass of diamonds and other precious stones. Erxest M. Jussoe. Copyright, 1895. [The above article was written and ilius- trated by the special permission of her Majesty, Queen Victoria. J. OUR WINES IN LONDON, The Difficulty of Getting Them Into the English Market. E.M.J. Mr. Randolph Payne’s Statement Is Reviewed by Mr. Charles A. Wetmore. The statement of Mr. Randolph Payne, an English wine merchant, that California wines were not pushed in London, which appeared in yesterday’s CALr, has pro- voked much discussion among the wine men. Charles A. Wetmore, who has been so prominently identified with the wine interests of the coast, said on this subject: *‘Mr. Payne's remark is by no means new to us. I have heard many intelligent travelers say that they never heard of any California wines in New York, yet Cali- fornia exports and sells in that city more wine than is imported from all the world into the United States. London, as an English merchant once said to me, isa country; it is more than a city. But there are large quantities of wine sold there. Messrs. Grierson, Oldham & Co., Regent street, W., dispose of 20,000 cases a year of California wines, and advertise them extensively. 5 “Mr. Payne speaks of gflymg 6 shillings for a quart of California burgundy in Scot- land. " This was the Big Tree brand, which Oldham & Co. advertise extensively. He says that he finds no difficulty introducin, our wines in the English inns. But a those hotels largely frequented by Ameri- cans, California wines are not popular. That gentleman has made two trips to the coast to expert our wines, and is thoroughly posted on all the brands and vineyards of the State. K *‘Again the L. J. Rose & Co., limited, has its offices in London. This vineyara is en- tirely owned by Englishmen. The Barton estate is also o d in that country. Mr. Hague, who, with his brother, ownsa vineyard and winery at Gilroy, is now sell- ing his own wines in Manchester. He also makes large shipments of California bran- dies to different points. “I am confident that those who wish to tind our wines in the London market can do so with ease, and that is all that can be said. But they do not handle our high grade wines either in London or New York. They prefer those of inferior quality be. cause they cost less, are more salable and there is more profit in them. “The wine-growers of California are at this disadvantage. They cannot afford to hold their wines to make a market: they cannot be wine-growers, wine-brokers and wine-merchants at the same time. A full cellar means credit at the bank. When the cellar is empty the bank wants its money. For this reason we find it hard to squeeze into the London market. If the English merchants wants our wines they mustcome over here and select them. “How can 500 scattered wine-growers of California hope to discover just what suits their galabe? ‘We send on a consignment. 1t is at once dumped into a warehouse and all sorts and variety of expense tagged on toit,. 8o in New York and so in other cities, and by the time it is spld, if ever, the grower is fortunate if he gets his- actual expenditures back. *“Then they ask us why we do not com- bine. Wine'is competitive, and, naturally, each grower struggies to be ahead. “Now, as to the quality of our wines. Mr. oldizam. when acting as expest for the royal commission, said there is a con- tinuously growing export trade in Cali- fornia wines all over the world, and ever- increasing quantities are finding their way to England, where they are taking a recog- nized position, being appreciated by the public for their purity and wholesome- ness.”” IT CAME FROM CANADA. An Idea of the Great Railway Company That Puzzles Local Railroad Men. The Canadian Pacific Railway Company has introduced into this City through the medium of its local agency a decidedly Canadian idea, and railroad men about town are puzzled at Agent Stern’s look of contentment and quizzical smiles. The Canadian corporation in its wisdom has evolved the idea, and now every office of the company displays in a conspicuous place an ornamental leather frame con- taining an admonitory motto for every day in the month. When the agent finds himself in a par- ticularly devout mood he displays a sign, ““To swear is vulgar,” which has a rea%ly depressing effect upon some visitors. Next day it may be “Blessed is he who ex- pects nothing and—gets it,” and should the office be busy the caller may see a card to the effect that, ““A sociable man is one who, when he has 10 minutes to spare, goes and bothers one who has not;” or, “Yes, I'm busy.” An agent on Montgomery street has been watching the signs for several days, and declared yesterday he did not know what etiquette would meet the occasion. From day to day it is, “Yes, it’s windy’;. “Yes, it’s hot'’; *“Yes, 1t's a fine day.” He usually has something to say about news in the papers, and the other day, after ask- ing a question about the Union Pacific troubles, was flisfusged to read in:large blue letters, ““No, I did not see that,” and he began to tell a story on his next visit, when that hated cardbox from Canada proclaimed: “Ilie myseli—sometimes.” At all events, the series of signs have had a striking influence on the manners of callers. MEXICAN EXPOSITION, Viscount R.de Cornely Has Absolutely No Rights as far as America Is Concerned. A. K. Coney, Consul-General of Mexico, stated yesterday that he was just in re- ceipt of letters from the City of Mexico giving the information that arrangements were progressing satisfactorily toward the opening of the Mexican Exhibition on the nd day of April, 1896, but that an exten- sion of from two to three months’ time had been granted to European exhibitors. Viscount R. de Cornely is at presentin Chicago trying to organize a syndicate to buy the right of rfiregentm the foreign department of the Mexican Exposition as far as America is concerned. ““Cornely is still director of the foreign department for Europe,” said the Consul- General, “but for the United Statas he gave all his rights to the American Expo- sition Company and has not the right to sell an inch of ‘space or to grant a single concession as far as this country is con- cerned. The Governors of a number of States have appointed commissioners to confer with the Mexican Exposition Com- pany, but they have no power beyond that. “While I was president of the American Exposition Company,” added Mr. Coney, *‘the commissioners appointed for Califor- nia did not confer, and therefore did not exercise the only power vested in them.’” Most of the ancient mounds are erected on the upper river terraces and may be 2000 or 9&0 years old. RT OF THE Circus RIDER. THE TRAINING MUST NEW YORK, N.Y., June 4, 1895.—There isnever a moment when a rider in the circus ring is entirely free from danger. Of course the various feats become easy enough of accomplishment after long prac- tice, but the performers can never be sure at what moment all their skill and expe- rience will be set at naught through some failure of the horse to do what is expected of him. Suppose a horse shies while the rider is standing on his back preparing for aspring. The chances are ten to one that a fall will result, and yet there is no sure way of knowing when a horse is about to shy. The most trifling thing may cause him to do so—a sudden crash of music, the fall of a programme thrown carelessly into | the ring, a ray of sunshine striking him unexpectedly in the eyes, the creaking of a pulley, any one of a hundred things, swerving a few inches to the right or left, a sudden dart forward, will be more than sufficient to upset the delicately poised equilibrium. Therefore, the art of falling is one of the most i rtant and it is also one of the most difficult of mastery among the circus riders’ accomplishments. It is always easy to recognize a veteran circus-rider in the way he falls. As soon as he sees that the situation is hopeless, that he must go dewn, his hands shoot for his knees like a John O’Brien, the Man Who Was Born in the Ring. [From a photograph.] flash and he hugs himself up automati- cally into a round ball, with nothing ex- posed that can break, unless possibly it be a rib or two in some very exceptional case. Usually striking in this way with tne muscles all tense and the body folded up tight and hard, the rider escapes with a few bruises and a good shaking up. “‘It’s astonishing how many things you can think of,” said De Mott, the famous bareback rider, in a recent talk I had with him, “in the time when you are in the air falling from your horse.” You see we cir- cus riders have seen so many accidents 'ond had it hammered into us so much ever since we were children what we are to do in such cases that it all comes rushing through our heads like a whirlwind. ‘I remember the worst fall I ever had as distinctly as if it were last week, although really it was several years ago. It seems queer, but it happened when I was sitting astride my horse, walking round the ring qmetl{aher doing an act. Allof a sudden something made the horse shy, and before I knew it I was gone, lifted up in the air and turning over, half from habit, I sup- pose, in a back somersault. I heard the ringmaster yell at me and realized that, unless I could get round in the turn so as to clear my head, I would break my neck in striking. Between that and my reach- ing the ground was only the small part of a second, but it seemed as if 1 had oceans of time to argue out the whole situation. I wondered if my horse would step on me; decided how I had better roll to get away; planned just how I would strike the ground with my shoulders, if I managed to save my head, and then I dug my chin down into my breast bone and hustled on that turn. “Well, it was a close shave. They carried me out senseless, and the doctor Rosa Meers. {From a photograph.} said my neck was broken; but it wasn't. 1t was pretty badly wrenched, though, and I carried my chin pressed against my body for weeks aiterwards. You can be sure if I hadn’t got up some fine speed on that turn there would haye been another dead circus rider.” F “Do you mean that a circus rider can make himself turn faster or slower after he isin the air?’ I asked. ¥ “Certainly I do; that is the most im- portant part of somersault work. You see, no mut&r how good a man is, he can never leave his horse for a turn with ex- actly the right amount of spnn%._ Some- times he will throw himself a little too hard. and other times not hard enough; it depends partly on how he feels, and pnrflf on the way the horse is going. Wel when he finds himself in the air, say halt way around on the turn, he feels—that is, 80 circus riders do—by a kind of instinct, whether he is turn- ing too fast or not fast enough, 80 as to land right on the horse. Besides that, he can see most of the way round just where the horse ie and by practice tell whether anything is wrong. =~ Now, suppose he wants to slacken is specd a litle, he simply lifts his head straight up, or even a little back, and that acts like putting on a brake. Then, if he sees he is too slow, all he has to do is to bend his head down on his chest BEGIN IN CHILDHOOD. in the way I was telling you of and his y will shoot Tound twice as fast, like a bicycle %Ying down hill.” ““And how about swerving to one side or the other, can you correct that, too?” *“You can to'a certain extent, but not so much. For instance, if I see I am oing to land too far inside the horse I can throw my body two or three inches out by turn- ing the shoulders in thatdirectio In the same way I can throw my body in by turn- ing my shoulders in the other direction. You can’t count much on that thouch, and if the horse’s body has swerved out from under you, or has made you swerve in the air by a_sideway jerk just as you i’umped, there isn’t much chance of your anding right. The best thing you can do then is to hit your horse snd get away.” “How do you mean hit your horse?’" “‘Come down near to him to push off with one foot for a turn and land safe on the ground. If a circus nider can’t hit his }xfisg at all he's pretty sure to get a nasty all.” Few people realize the immense amount of practice that is necessary to make an accomplished circus rider. 'Nearly all the famous ones have begun their work at a very early age. Lily and Rosie Meers ap- peared in public on” horseback when little girls of 7 and 8, and from that time on they kept practicing constantly, not only in riding, but more particularly in various gymnastic movements and exercises. De Mott told me that when he was a boy of 8 going to school in Philadelphia his father, who was also a circus performer, made him spend four hours a day, two hours in the morning and two in the after- noon, working at exercises for strengthen- ing the legs and giving grace and supple- ness to the body. At that period in his training, he was only allowed fifteen min- utes a day on a horse, the greater part of the work being done on the ground and being in no way more exciting, although rather more varied, than ordinary exercise in a gymnasium. This work, which all accomplished circus riders have to go through, comes under the comprehensive name of “side practice’’ and includes **pass- ing,” ‘“cutting,”” “pirouettes,” ‘battle- ments” and other complicated movements. I had the good fortune to see the Meers sisters at their ‘side practice’ during their recent stay in New York. *‘There is no doubt,” said Mrs. Meers, their mother, who has been in the busi- ness for two score of years and should know what she is talking about, ‘that our society women would be immensely bene- fited if they would learn these same exer- cises that my girls have todo to keep in practice for the ring. There, look at Mar,ie isn’t that good ?” The mother’s pride was justifiable, for Miss Marie did indeed make a graceful figure as she stood literally poised on one e. “‘Marie did not begin to ride in public as young as her sisters,”” continued the mother, “but she had learned grace of movement and strengthened her muscles by working for a number of years in the pantomime performances that are so pop- ular in Europe. The result was that when she began practicing on a_horse at the age OEINGERE nadekver s Srapidl progress and soon caught up with her sisters.’ Here the father, Hubert Meers, joined in the conversation. He is a_queer lookin, little man, very short and stumpy, an impresses f'ou as having but one possible interest ia life, the circus ring. In his day he was a famous clown and acrobat, but now he only appeass as a ringmaster when his daughters ride. 2 ‘‘There’s something too, sir,” he said, in & soft deferential tone, ‘‘in being born of a circus famiiy. Now, in my case, I began doing the- Risley business at the age of 5, with my father, who was a great per- former. "The ‘Risley business’ is where a little chap holds himself out stiff and his tossed around in all kinds of ways onthe feet of a man who lies on his back. That's what my father used to do to me. Then I be%nn riding when I was 10 years old, and as far back 1n 1855 the people in Birming- ham gave me this gold medal for turnin 200 back somersaults in succession. No, didn’t turn them ona horse,but on the ground, which was quite hard enough. It took me twenty minutes to finish them.” ‘“What's the most difficult feat you ever saw done on a horse?” I inquired. Mr. Meers scratched his sandy head and said, after some reflection: *I think the hardest thing was what a man did in England a few years ago, that is a triple act on a galloping horse, consisting of round-all, a flip-flap and two somersaults, Nobody could ever beat that.’” It was charming to see the enthusiasm with which the children of the old circus rider (there were six of them in all grouped around attentive), listened to their father’s description. Each one of them plainl felt that there was nothing on this eartg s0 worthy of their admiration as the skill of a man who could actually do a round- ail. a flip-flap and two somersaulis in the way described. The two youngest daugh- ters stopped sewing white satin covers on their sister’s riding slippers, and listened ! open-mouthed. * It's a great life, this being a circus rider,” continued Mr. Meers. ‘“We travel all over the world, see all the grand cities and fine people, and always get lots of ap- lause. ~That’s something worth living or, I can tell you, applause. You ought to see my little girl Lillie take a little run across the ring and jump clean over two horses. Yes, sir, that’s what she can do, and she isn’t a big girl either. It’s nerve, gir, and knnwingfimw, more than muscle. There, feel of her arm, it isn’t so very hard, not different from any other woman’s, but she can jump over the horses just the same, and they can’t.”” At this the mother and all the six daughters laughed heartily. They im- })ressed one indeed as being a iappy lamily. Perhaps one of tne best authorities on circus riding is John O’Brien, who has been for years and is still equestrian direc- tor in the Barnum show. Mr. O’Brien has the proud distinction of being the only man living actually born in a circus ring, such having been his remarkable experience in Reickson, Wales, where his mother was midst of a daring horseback act when young John made his mundane debut with a great flourish of trumpets from the band and a fluttering of hearts among the ladies. He has probably trained more women into circus riders’ than any other master of the sawdust. He recognizes §race and style as being the chief requisites or a good rider. “If a girl has these,”” he said, *“I will uarantee to make a circus-rider out of Eer even as late as 16 if she will work hard at it. Why, two years ago I started a married woman of 19 in the business, and she has succeeded so well that she is now doing a regular act with the show. She had a special advantage, though, for she had been a contortionist and dancer before working on a horse. “*The first thing I teach them is to learn to balance and to get the quick movement for a recover. Of course there is no dan- ger of a beginner’s falling, because we al- ways use the mechanical apparatus to save them. Lots of them get rattled when they make their firstappearance in public; they are too anxious, want to do too much, and so make mistakes. The foundation ofa good rider is to know how to fall, and to to be able to ‘make for the feet,’” as we call it. Ittakes months and months of prac- tice to learn that, and even then accidents often happen. You see a horse’s back gets sliygery after he begins to sweat, and when a rider’s pumps have touched the sand and got damp the¥ are liable to slip off like a piece of glass.” I asked Mr. O'Brien if there had been much progress in circus riding during his time, much advance in the difficulty of feats performed. ‘‘Undoubtedly there has,” he replied. “I bave an ola circus programme u‘gfinz in the 17 about twenty-five years ago which reads like thi ‘Levy J. North, the champion rider of the world, will actually stand on one foot and ride three times around the ring without a rein.” Of course to-day eny beginner at circus riding would do a trick ’ke that, which was then considered very wonderful.” ‘“ Has any rider dared to try a double somersault on a horse’s back ?” I don’t think so, and I am very sure no | one has ever succeeded. You know a | single somersault on a horse’s back is no joke, and was done for the first time by the merest accident. The rider was the reat-grandfather of our present champion, e Mott, and when he did it he intende to throw a somersault so as to land on the ground, but he made a wrong calculation "and struck the horse’s back on his knees. After that he did the same thing on purpose and finally succeeded in landing on his feet, The only possible way of doing & | double somersault mounted would be for the rider to stand well back on the horse facing the tail and then do what we calla double backward back. You know a back somersault is always easier than a forward one. Buteven so, I should hate to be the man to try a double on a horse.” CLEVELAND MOFFETT. Copyright, 1895. NEW TO-DAY. " BAZ! AT LAST We Have Received a Large Shipment of And Are Prepared to Furnish the BEST WHEEL ON EARTH! RIGID AS A ROCK. LIGHT. “Wonderfully Strong.” FAST. ‘WE ARE ALSO AGENTS FOR THE “BEN-HUR,” AN ABSOLUTELY HIGH GRADE BICYCLE, UP TO DATE IN EVERY DETAIL. NONE BETTER MADE, Price, $S5. WEIGHT, 21% LBS. | | PHYSICAL MANHOOD. After Years of Suffering It Is Restored | by Dr. Sanden’s Elzetric Belt, | (YUINCY, PLUMAS COUNTY, CAL., MAY 15, | 1896.—Dk. A.l. SANDEN—DEAR SIE: 1 will | now report the effect of the Electric Beit I ot of you three or four months ago. Your belt has proved to be and do just what you claim for it. [ was suffering from nervous debility and lost man- hood and was in a bad state, when I saw your beit sdvertised and concluded to try it. I had not worn itlong, when I found my strength returning, and I am cured now. 1 would not take ten timeswhat [ aid for the belt mow. I will always recommend t. Yours truly, J. F. LUMAN. Quincy, Pluras County, Cal. A steady, even flow of electricity - into your body for several hours at i night will bring inew life to the and fro: body. The brain £~ will be refreshed, the nerves strong. quick and active, and every organ of vour body will expand and develop in force and vitality. months, renew perfect manly Vigor to every part. It Is a3 good for women as for men. _Dr. Sauden’s scientific work, “Three Classes of Men,” in con- densed form, can be had upon application, or sent | by muil, closely sealed, free. It gives full informa- tion_ and testimonials of wonderful cures by Dr. Banden’s Electric Belt. If you are weak, send to SANDEN ELECTRIC CO., Council Building, Portland, Or.