Routledge's Book of the Circus. With 90 Illustrations by Jules
Gamier. (Routledge and Co.).--This book is very much superior to the average of volumes which bear similar titles. It does not give a. set of gaudily coloured pictures. The drawings, executed with much vigour, are evidently taken from life ; the letterpress is the work of some one who knows what he is writing about. In the first chapter, the Circus Horse tells his story, and the story of Mademoiselle Fifine who rides him, and also the story of his brother, Black Tulip,' and his rider, who belong to the " Haute kcole " of equestrianism. " All the Fun of the Fair" follows. Londoners know nothing of fairs, now that "Barthemy" and " Greenwich " are done away with ; but they are still in high favour at Paris. It is hardly correct, however, to say that "fairs are almost altogether done away with in England." Barnet Fair (the pleasure fair, we mean) still flourishes, and there is a yearly revel of the kind still held at Oxford in September. In fact, they are not uncommon in the provinces. The " Equilibrist" tells some curious stories, to which the feats of the " Mag- netic Lady" may possibly be compared. A dwarf is very contemptuous of his big rival the giant. "Who ever heard of a giant making his fortune ?" he asks, with much force, whereas " Tom Thumb " and the " Midgets " were able to do very well for themselves. The "Performing Dog" is entertaining. Pigs, he tells us, among other interesting matters, can be trained only by kindness, and donkeys are of an uncertain temper. The Bear protests against ill-treatment. He quotes from Mr. J. G. Wood : "It is but seldom that the bear will make an unprovoked attack on a human being;" and goes on : " Very well, why can't you leave me alone?" Cats, we are told, can be trained to learn many tricks, but have an invincible objection to performing in public. A clown, a lion-tamer, a gymnast, and other performers have much that is curious to tell us, and all that they say is most admirably illustrated by M. Garnier's lively pencil.
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