51
ROYAL VISIT TO THE "WILD WEST.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Princess Louise of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Crown Prince of Denmark, Duke of Teek, and the Marquis of Lorne, visited the American Exhibition yesterday afternoon, and after having been conducted through the main building the Royal party took up a position on the grand stand to witness a special performance of the Wild West Show. The first part of the programme was a grand processional review, in which the whole of the Indians, cowboys, scouts, and Mexicans connected with the show took part. After riding round at full gallop, the whole of the band formed a long line and advanced, with Colonel Cody at their head, towards the grand stand. A race between a cowboy, a Mexican, and an Indian, on ponies, followed ; after which an illustration was given of an attack by Indians on an emigrant waggon with equal vigour, the frontiersmen eventually driving off their assailants. Then came shooting feats by Miss Oakley and Miss Smith, a race between frontier girls, and the riding of bucking horses by cowboys. The exciting incident of the attack on the Dradwood stage coach by Indians, and the rescue by Buffalo Bill and his band of scouts, followed, and after this a realistic representation of Indian camp life was witnessed. The closing scene was the most exciting of the show. In the centre of the arena stood a settler's cabin, the head of the family having, it was to be presumed, just returned from a hunting expedition, when suddenly a hostile Indian appeared, and was promptly shot by the settler. A band of savages immediately rushed from all directions, and, after a desperate combat, the cabin seemed to be on the eve of capture when, with a ringing cheer, Buffalo Bill and his scouts dashed up and dispersed the Indian braves. At the conclusion the principal performers were presented to the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Indians seemed greatly to appreciate the Royal visit, and Red Shirt, to whom the Prince was introduced as the coming chief of the Pale Face Nation, said, through Broncho Bill, it made his heart glad that one so high above other men should visit him. Though his skin was red and the pale-faced chief's was white, their hearts were one. The Prince then handed Red Shirt a number of cigarettes, which the latter passed round to his companions. A number of relics of Indian fights were shown to the Royal party, including tomahawks, bows and arrows, and scalps. All the Royal visitors expressed themselves highly pleased with the exhibition, and on leaving the Prince warmly complimented Colonel Cody and the directors, and expressed the wish that the venture would prove a grand success.
52
THE AMERICAN EXHIBITION.
BY A LADY.
The American Exhibition was opened on Monday, the [?] inst. Thanks to the kindness of a curteous editor I was able to be present, and also by invitation to partake of the first-rate luncheon usually provided for privileged few. It was a feast indeed. Every luxury that the sea on does and does not afford was on the table. The fruit [?]; the wines also. I can treat my readers to a sort of [?] feast by describing my share of the repast. First, soup, then salmon, with mayonnaise sauce; then chicken, tongue and salad, ices, and two slices of pine apple, followed by muscatel grapes. I was kept in countenance at the luncheon table by very few of my own, sex, only about six I think, while there must have been at least three hundred gentlemen present; and I noticed the number of my waiter was 175, so that we were well cared for.
I sat very near to Mr. Wyndham, the David Garrick of Criterion celebrity, and he seemed quite as attractive off the stage as he did upon it.
I noticed Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft also, and later Mr. and Mrs. Ledger, he being the editor of the theatrical organ, the Era.
The heat and the crush were terrible. I advise those who go to take their opera glasses with them. I left mine behind and suffered in consequence. As in the case of similar recent echibitions held at South Kensington, everything looked as if in need of the touch of the "Fairy Order."
Beyond the Hon. W. F. Cody's "Wild West" Show, there was nothing particularly attractive, but the 20,000 people assembled seemed perfectly satisfied with the entertainment provided for them. The large amphitheatre is not covered in, but spectators in wet weather will be safely protected.
Buffalo Bill's personal appearance, is very fairly represented by the somewhat crude portraiture seen on the centre of the programme. He is a typical American. Long hair falling on to his shoulders, equally long moustache, and short Napoleonie beard. He wears a monstrous hat with prodigious brim, picturesquely on one side, and a turned down collar showing a great deal of neck. His general physique and peculiar dress are are unmaskably American.
The native tribes shown are veritable Indians, and the strange life and hazardous existence, as witnessed by these dwellers in the Far West is well represnted. Every one would seem to carry his life in his hand, and the seriousness of the law, for the lack of civil enforcement is upheld at pistol point.
The savagery and outlawry of so-called civilized men is bardly less dangerous than the fierce raids of their redskinned predecessors. There is a very interesting sketch of marvellous career of Colonel Cody and of some of his strangely-named contemporaries.
So great are the dangers, and so critical the situations through which they have passed, that one natuarlly thinks they must bear charmed lives. Looking at these strange denizens of the almost trackless plains of the far West, one partially realizes how widely renowed are the carefully governed and law-abiding folk of this Empire.
Life seems so curiously cheap, it is a marvel any escape the perils that psring up like blades of grass around. Violence, bloodshed, and general recklessness appear to be the material order of things. Murder frequent, and death apparently of no account. Most bloodcurdling are some of the situations we are introduced to, rough sketches of which are given in the book. Conspicuous enough is that which shows Mr. Cody's first scalp, bristling with its panoply of feathers, and held aloft in fierce triumph; the bleeding for lying prostrate at his feet.
The cow-boy proper is well represented and is a sort of pricturesque savage. He is brisling with venomous looking knives, revolvers, and other weapons, from the sight of which any woman would turn away her face with a sense of revolt.
The feats of arms to which we are treated are so realistic that it is difficult to believe it is a bloodless battle we view. The fierce encounter being followed by every imaginable sign of war to the knife. From my heart I pitied the woman whose loved ones are exposed to the terrible dangers of this wild life. Harrowing to the feelings was it to see a log but wherein are the settlers preparing for rest, wholly unconscious of the stealthy foe, treacherously advancing upon them.
The attack, by Indians, on the historical coach of the Deadwood line, and the rescue by scouts and plainsmen, is thrilling indeed, the tearing horses, and the wild onslaught generally, make one thankful no such perils beset the traveller in this land.
Not particularly delicate is the dance of the Indian women, and to see them ride astride is rather shocking to insular notions.
Judging by specimens of the race, it would appear that the women of the Far West have not the horror of firearms which many of the sex feel here.
There is a young person of 15 years, not by the way very prepossessing looking, who seems as much at home with her rifle as most of us are with the needle; as a proff of this, of glass balls thrown from the hand she scored 325 successive hits, without a miss, and out of 400 in all, arose 395 balls.
The name of this lady is Lillian T. Smith, and a sister in arms is Miss Annie Oakley. At the age of 14, by the sale of game and skins, shot and trapped by herself, Miss Oakley freed her father's farm from a heavy mortgage.
As a rider her skill is most remarkable. It is said a gentleman possessed a very vicious horse tha tnone could break, offered it to this girl of 21 if she could make it acceptable, and in three days the feat was accomplished and the prize secured.
Such women are well calculated to justify the opinions that ourselves physically as well as mentally the equal of man, an opinion I certainly do not share, nor am I destrous of being convinced that it is true.
Very interesting did I find the medicine man, but a more grotesque looking object I never saw, a bogie well fitted to frighten refractory children by unprincipled nurses.
The Indian in his way is as religious as the most devout Christain, and as careful of religious observance as the extremist Ritualist. His faith embraces two gods, equal in wisdom and power, the one beneficent the other evil. The savage firmly believes in immortality after death, and does not allow that his condition in future state depends in any way on the course of conduct pursued on this side of the grave.
The soul is said to escape by the mouth, and only by two methods can it be prevented from reaching the Paradise that remains.
Strangulation is one means which precludes the chance of future happiness, hence the savages terror of that form of death. And again, scalping is a dire disaster that means annihilation. Indians sometimes refrain from scalping their victims because they beliee such forbearance proceeds them the services of the vanquised in a future state. Another's belief that scalping deprives the savage of immortality leads to the extrordianry feats of courage, thereby Indians stive to save the ded friends from the enemy's knife. The Indian Squaws and their pappouses, here are interesting to visitors; like all mothers, civilized or uncivilized, interest in their children was a source of satisfaction. They tiny bodies painted in Indian fashion save a wierd look to these odd bits of humanity, and provoked in thoughtful minds many in Southampton Street, Strand, would find it hard to solve satisfactory.
I was fairly astonished to see how wonderfully some of the native riders kept their seats on the backs of certain ustangs, adepts at the art of back-jumping, backs to perfect bow, and springing perpendicularly several feer in the air.
After the wonderful proofs of good horsemanship, there was a buffalo hunt.
The race of "Mexican thoroughbreds," which turned out to be very stupid donkeys, and, like the proverbial makes persisted in going every way but to the right, to the suggestive tune, "We won't go home till morning" was a very amusing feature of the proceedings, and a pleasant change from the blood-and-thunder aspect of use preceding exhibitions.
The royal family were conspicious by their absence. Canon Farrar read the opening prayer, and a sort of thanksgiving, in which all present were expectedto be, concluded the religious part of the proceedings. As a pleasant lounge, the American Exhibitiob will supply what we have lost by the closing of the gardens at South Kensington. There are, I believe, at West Brompton three acres of recreation grounds where, in fine weather, we may expect to enjoy fresh air, good music; and we have reason to be greatful to the enterprise which provides such pleasant recreation for the dwellers in, and visitors to, the Metropolis.
THE AFFAIRS OF MR. S. DONKIN, JUN.
At Newcastly County Court on Tuesday afternoon Samuel Donkin, jun., auctioneer, Bywell, Felton, was furher publicly examined before Mr. Registrar Ingledew. Mr. T. Hoyle appeared on behalf of the trustee, Mr. Forster for a creditor, and Mr. R. Nicholson (Morpeth) for the debtor. - In reply to Mr. Hoyla the debtore stated that he conducted several sales on behalf of this grandfather, but he (the debtor) got no benefit from teh sales, as they were for his bank account. He had not debted himself with commission from any of the sales in question. The commissions would not clear, clear of expenses, be over $200. His deficiency would be increased by whatever the amount of commision he recieved. The debtor was next examined by Mr. Forester with respect to his dealings with Mr. Rosenberg, money lender, Newcastle. He stated that he used to borrow sums of 100 form Mr. Rosenberg, at the rate of $7 10s per month. The examniation was adjourned in order that the debtor may furnish an account of the commission recieved on certain sales.
53
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR
Beteween the dark and the daylight, When the night is beginning to lower, Comes a pause in the day's occupations, That is kown as the children's hour. -LONGFELLOW
WILD HORSES
As there are herds of buffalows on the wide rolling prairies, so ae here great gangs of wild horses, which the Indians call "Mustangs." Now these wild horses and their brave riders are a great feautre in the exhibition of Buffalo Bill, and so I am sure you will be interested to hear something abou the mustang. One traveller says:-"Where the traveller in the West now finds [Hounahing?] towns and villages, we found nothing but endless and monotonous prairies, rolling in long, smooth, wavy lines, day after day. Descendng one of those gentle declivities about noon, we beheld before and below us, feeding in a grassy plain, a herd of small horses. They were mostly of a bright chestnut colour, although many were curiously dappled with patches of white, red, and brown. The mustang, as the native horse of the North American continent is called, is smaller than the domesticated horse, and generally of a bright chestnut colour. The horses marked with odd colours and patches are called pinto, or painted, by the Mexicans, and calico by the Americans. We had heard of the wild horses of the West. Probably this was a wandering drove of those beautiful reatures that had been detained here by the luxuriant grass on which they were tranquilly feeding, without any suspicion of the approach of man. We knewenough about wild orses to know that we must be war and creep up unperceived. The mustang in his native state is very easily scared, or "stampeded," It often happens that a drove of horses, peacefully feeding, will take right a some rifle, or at a mere [whim?], as one may say, and as soon as one or two start off wildly, the entire herd will joing in flight as if pursued by some deadly enemy. They may be alarmed by the passing of a wolf, or by the playing of the moonbeams among the thunderbrush; no matter what the cause of their alarm, they fly like the wind, crashing and plunging over one another, wild with terror, and blindly scattering ar and wide over the country. This is what the frontiersman calls a "stampede."
Here is a further account of how the mustan is caught and tamed. "The Indian pony or mustang is more easily tamed and tractable when he has [?] been reduced to bondage. In droves of tens of thousands, the wild horse of North America formerly roved the plains from Western Nebraska to Mexico. Even within a few years the native American horse was to be met with as far north as the Platte River. But the setlement of the country has crowded he wandering herds farther southwards, and now they may be found only in Texas, New Mexico, and in regions far to he south-west. The Mexicans are most expert at catching this timorous creature. They throw the lasso with amazing dexterity. Riding at full speed, the Mexicans career over the plains like wild men, whirling their curled lariats or lassos over their heads as they fli. Their horses are covered with foam, and often bleeding from the cruel spurs with wich they are urged on. The earth trembles under the tramp of many hoofs beating the solid ground, as pursuer and pursued gallop madly far and wide. Sudenly the lariat sings through the air, its noose opens itself and drops over the head of the terriried fugitive, the hunter's steed instatly braces itself with its forefeet, and drops on its haunches so as to make an anchorage, as it were, for the caught mustang. And there is no escape now for the captive."
THE INDIANS OF THE FAR WEST
And now me must have a peep at the Indians of he far West, and for this I will borrow an account from another traveller. "The sun was sinking behind the hills as I came in sight of the Indian village. It comprised, perhaps, a dozen lodges made of skins strethed over poles. There were, besides, two or three dilapidated-looking cabins built of drift-logs, and two huge structures of te same material, used for smokin salmon. Below the villae I saw several bands of Indian horses. A number of children were playing round the lodges. There were several garden paces, rudely fenced, and two or three fields of rye and wheat stubble; the crops had been gathered." The traveller advanced to one of the largest tensts, and bodly requested the night's rest for himself and his lame horse that he needed. One of the Indians took his horse, while the other led the way to the tent: "I followed without looking back' to have expressed the least soubt, by word or sign, as to the safety of my beast or his equipents, would have been a sad breach of manners. Lifting a robe that hung over the entrance and served as a door, he motioned me to go in. I did so, and making my way to the opposite side, sat down. The ground was covered with mating, save in the centre, which was bare. The dead coals lying thre showed that this was their fireplace. There were four Indan women seated on one side of the tent. Two were quite old; one of them was busy making a wicker basket; the other, who was partly supported by sundry robes and parcels, seemed to be sick, as she was doing nothing. Of the remaining two, one was extremely homely, apparently about thirty years old, and busy plaiting matting."
A YOUNG SQUAW AND PAPOOSE.
"The fourth and last was young and ver prettyl she was nursing a little papoose, or Indian baby, and her dress and manner seemed to show that she was a invouriate. The first three were dressed in plain dark-coloured calico, with leggings made of strips of blankets, and their blankets were of the ordinary kind used by the Indians-of white, yellow, and blue stripes. All looked rather old, and decidedly dirty. Very different was the dress of the youngest squaw. It was new and very pretty calico; her leggings made of fine white doeskin, with long fringes; her mocassins were gaily ornamented with beads and sundry devices worked into them with coloured thread; while her blanket was a new one, being a bright crimson with a black border. In addition this young mother was adorned wih bracelets of some kind of metal; had several silver rings o her fingers, shell ear-rings in her ears, and a chain of shells woven through her hair. Her papoose was dressed in a single garmet none too long, but adorned with beads and bits of coloured ribbon."
WE SUP TOGETHER
"The two squaws who had been workin set about getting supper. One produced a sack of flour and sitrred up a pan of dough; the other took down a couple of dried salmon from a string of hem which hung from one o the poles of he tent. These she placed each upon a stick, and the, building a fire, set them before it to toast. Next she took down some pieces of dried meat, from which she cut a number of thin slices. The dough having been more or less kneaded, squaw number one raked ou some of the ashes, and then proceeded o divide the dough into small cakes, which she laid in the ashes to bake. Sundry preparations of dried berries were added to the repast; and having eating nothing since the morning, I am free to confess that not only had I a good apptitie, but that I found myself able to make a right good meal. Water was the only drink offered. the food was seved up on ti dishes. The two Indians and myself ate first, and the two squaws who had pepared the meal waited upon us. After we had finished the four squaws took their turn. I noticed that the youngest partook freely of the berries, while the others did not touch them."
"About nine o'clock the squaws began to make up the beds. There seemed to be an abundance of robes and blankets in the lodge, and the process of bedmaking was very simple. First, a robe was spread upon the ground, two pairs of blankets were laid upon that, another robe placed over all, and the bed was ready." One traveller spent rather a restless night on that not too easy couch, and the next morning, after duly recompensing his host and hostess, he and his horse set out on their homeward journey.
Next week we will have a chat about Coyotes of the prairies, I have some interesting stories to tell you about them.
I think it is high time for us to have
ANOTHER FISHING PARTY
What do you say? Are you ready to do a little angling? You will want somehing better than a bent pin o catc these fishes with. Try how many you can find in the following line, and I will give a small prize book to the discoverer of the most witin one week from this date.
BURIED FISHES.
Did Edith err in givin me
A cock? let others say.
Hish! rim put round a dish of eggs
With spinach, looks quite gay.
I saw a skipper on Cape Cod
Go by Him Roach's pike,
With this gilt-headed fishing rod,
To fish at Mullet's dyke.
With pipe and whiteboat he was stocked.
And whiffed the air with glee;
For he saw fishes plump and ruddy
Sailing in the sea.
Gray dawn was winking at the moon,
The stars with minnows played;
A tremor, and the great sun peeped
From out the grayling shade.
Sole dabbler in the waves this morn,
This chubby angler shakes
Again with glee. Search well, you'll see
The number that he takes.
The Historical Acrostic has been correctly gueased by Roy, Anie Spence, Theo. King, S. Lawrence, Harry Balls, Nellie Lee, Eddie King, Davie Malcolm, T. Kerr, Welsh Boy, Ethel Bary, F. Reynolds, Florence, and Kate Ross.
Wrong in one light, Spring.
LETTER BOX.
Dear Aunt Maggie,-Thank you so much for the nice prize I received this morning. It is the very thing I wanted most (two pairs of scissors in case.) I really never thought thtat I should get the prize, so it was quite a surprise to me to see my name in the Hour as the msot successful competitior.-JEANIE PICKERING.
AUNT MAGGIE.
Address all communications to-
AUNT MAGGIE (Symington),
Hunstanton, St Edmunds.
54
ACCIDENT AT THE AMERICAN EXHIBITION.
At the American Exhibition on Wednesday, during the afternoon performance of the "Wild West" show, a serious accident occurred to one of the principal characters-Buck Taylor, "the King of the Cowboys." The fourth item of the programme [consists?] of an attack by Indians on an emigrant train, and the repulse of the attack by cowboys, the victory being afterwards celebrated by a Virginian reel danced by American girls and cowboys on horseback. It was in the course of the dance, apparently the gnetlest and least hazardous of all the feats of Buffalo Bill's company from the WIld West, that the unfortunate [?] occurred. When the reel was half finished Buck Taylor's ombrero suddenly fell off, and its owner was seen to sway to and fro on his horse for a few seconds; and then to fall heavily to the gorund, turning a complete back sommersault, and afterwards lying still at full length. The spectators, not unnaturally, took this as a rehearsed effect until music and dancing stopped, and Buffalo Bill and others dismounted, and ran up to the injured man. A surgeon from St. George's Hospital happened to be among the spectators, and he at once rendered assistance, and under his direction Buck Taylor was borne from the arena in an improvised litter and at once conveyed to the St. George's Hospital. From the accounts of the other actors in the event, it seems that Taylor, in reaching over for the hand of his partner during a sort of grand chain, lost for a moment the control of his horse, which swerved and brought him into collision with another rider, the projecting iron cantly of whose saddle struck Taylor's right thighbone just below the hip. The shock rendered Taylor insensible, his hands falling from the reins and his body swaying in a manner that at once attracted the attention of his comrades, although the public noticed nothing until he fell from his horse some thirty or forty paces from the point where the accident occured. As soon as proper assistance had been rendered, and the injured man had been removed from the arena, the dance was continued and the programme brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
Upon inquiry yesterday afternoon at the West London Hospital, Hammersmith, it was stated that Buck Taylor is now out of danger. The limb has been reset, and the patient is progressing satisfactorily. So numerous have been the applications to see the injured man that orders have been given by the medical staff limiting his visitors to his immediate friends.
55
ROYAL VISIT to the AMERICAN EXHIBITION.
The Princess of Wales and a large party paid an unexpected and informal visit to the American Exhibition on Wednesday morning. The party included Prince Albert Victor, the Princesses Victoria, Maud, and Louise of Wales, the Grand Duke Michael of Russia, and gentlemen in attendance. On reaching the Exhibition at eleven o'clock, the Royal party at once proceeded to the Wild West Camp, where they were received by Colonel Cody (Buffalo Bill), Mr Nate Salisbury, and Major John M. Burke, and after visiting Colonel Cody's tent they proceeded to the Royal box. At the request of the Princess, Miss Lilian Smith and Miss Annie Oakley gave their exhibition of shooting, and the Grand Duke Michael then shot at a number of balls thrown from the trap and with Miss Oakley's guns, making a capital score. The Old Deadwood Stage Coach was next brought out, and, Colonel Cody himself driving, the Royal party made the tour of the ring several times. Unusual precautions against accident were taken, the subsequent attack on the coach being made, not by the Indians, but by the more trustworthy cowboys, who gave the visitors an idea of an attack on the coach by road agents or highwaymen. At the conclusion of this episode the Grand Duke Michael and a number of other gentlemen were furnished with mounts by Col. Cody and given a few hints as to the method of riding on a Mexican saddle, and then the buffaloes were stampeded in the open, and the gentlemen joined with the cowboys in the mimic buffalo hunt, having been prepared with revolvers for the purpose. They expressed themselves as greatly pleased with the experience, while the Princess was evidently highly amused at the strange spectacle. The party also visited the stable and the buffalo corral, after which the Indians sang a number of characteristic songs, and the party then returned to the American Exhibition, where they were received by Mr John R. Whitley, Mr Vincent A. Applin, Mr Burnet Landreth, and Mr Townsend Percy, and conducted to the Art Gallery and trophy-rooms. After inspecting these and the other exhibits, they proceeded through the building to the Western Gardens, where the switch-back railroad had been prepared for their reception. The Princess made two round trips on the switch-back, which required two cars to convey the party. Next they proceeded to the toboggan slide, where the Princess went down twice conducted by Colonel Montague, while the Princesses and other members of the party made some half-dozen trips. The Royal party expressed themselves greatly delighted with the novel and exhilarating pastime. Having inspected Bartholdi's diorama of New York Harbour, Bertram and Co.'s American bar was visited for refreshments, and the Princess and party partook of some "cool American drinks." The Royal party left at two p.m.