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THE PROLOGUE TO THE FAIR.
"Buffalo Bill " is a name to conjure with. It is close to the throne of America-the heart of its people. It has touched the chords of the hearts of the rulers occupying the thrones of the old worlds. In metaphor and in reality the poetical name of Buffalo Bill pervades the air. It is the name oftenest on the lips of Columbian visitors. It embodies all that is manly in the typical American. It represents the period and achievement of the only age of chivalry America can boast of. From " prairie to palace " it has borne the aroma of the West, its pioneer dangers, its frontier struggles; these when such dangers and struggles were not merely financial or climacteric, but when they were sanguinary and deadly. " Buffalo Bill's" escutcheon is the symbol of bravery, courage, victory. On the prairie he won his laurels, in the palace he has worn them. For he has carried the fame of American “ valor "–that rare glory-from the land where all men are kings to lands where one is king. Never before, perhaps, in the history of international courtesies did the sovereign of one nation more honor the flag of another than did Queen Victoria-empress of lands o'er which the sun ne'er sets– show the Stars and Stripes, on the occasion of Hon. W. F. Cody's visit to the old world. There, in London, on the auspicious visit of her august majesty to the Wild West, as Buffalo Bill and his braves rode up and wheeled to salute the royal guest and the Stars and Stripes passed the royal view, Britannia's Victoria stood up and bowed to the flag amid the spontaneous and tumultuous cheers of the Americans. Doubtless never before had there been such an overpowering thrill in the battle-brawny heart of the ever-sturdy Buffalo Bill!
The story of his Eastern trip was a continuous chapter of successes. Again we have him in America. His present enterprise outdoes his former record. Now he introduces it as " The Congress of Rough Riders of the World," and truly it is nâmed. Troops of Russian (Cossack), German, French, British, American military, bands of Indians, Mexican and American (cowboy), and Arab riders-what grander idea could have been conceived than this, to have collected together to give exhibitions of not only horsemanship, but of the native sports peculiar to these horse-loving peoples! The idea has been splendidly materialized. It is not only an interesting exposition of horsemanship and manliness, but it also is thoroughly artistic in conception. The color blending is superb. The costumes lend splendid aid to that, and also to the picturesque. This exhibition of the horsemanship, of the sports and pastimes, fun and frolic of each "nation," are of a highly "healthy" tone. They are such as to test the physical "get-up," the perfection of manliness of the actors in their varied physical and functional development. It is a show to see not once but often.
If anything could have been conceived, of such a character, to give one-especially the visitor-a glimpse of the days of their grandfathers, the pioneers of this country, it could not have been better realized than in Buffalo Bill's Wild West. In every sense of the word it is-the prologue to the World's Fair. the Columbian everyone should see it. By its means the magical progress of this country may be measured.
This article is intended only as a preliminary notice to the Congress of Rough Riders. To give a detailed description of the component parts of the congress–the horses and men, manner of equipment and riding, etc., would fill many issues of THE RIDER AND DRIVER, Considering the varied lessons this congress can teach, it is remarkable that the "equestrian " journals have failed to recognize the national importance of Buffalo Bill's grandest effort. THE RIDER AND DRIVER has not, indeed, been remiss in this, for it has noticed it from time to time. But besides it has been preparing to give proper attention to the enterprise for many 44 As the prologue to moons. We expect to be able to do so, if not so thoroughly as we wish, at least approximately. Meantime we may say that we are glad to learn that one of the great monthlies has shown sagacity and enterprise enough to make the Wild West a feature for an early issue. We are, for the present, done.
But there is one personality we can't refrain from giving a "parting shot to." That is Major John M. Burke, that hearty, loyal soul. This traveled thane has a fluent gift of glorious-emphasis which culminates in an irresistible apotheosis of most charming on homie, which makes it a pleasure to come in contact with him. May his shadow never grow less!