Staunton Country Park Estate, 1875
The massive grass field was buzzing with upbeat music and the sounds, shouts and cheers of hundreds of people. Tents and rings occupied the land as far as the eye could see, varying in shapes and sizes. None of them was unattended, aside from the performers and entertainers there was a notable audience at each, sometimes watching in silent awe, sometimes bursting out in loud applause. Whoever wandered this way on this glorious midsummer day could see and know immediately: this was a place of extraordinary joy and wonder. This was the circus.
Not just any circus, either. One of England's biggest and greatest travelling shows, known from Newcastle to Portsmouth. It was a prominent topic of gossip in many a pub and beerhouse when the illustrious Baronet Sir Frederick Wellington hired the circus to give an astounding performance on his newest acquired lands of Staunton Country Park. The man already had fame and influence reaching through the south coast and even beyond, everyone knew this move was yet another attempt to further it. No one minded though—the circus was everyone's.
Truly everyone's, for anyone from the poorest factory worker to the richest lord could find something pleasing on the field. Those seeking a nice atmosphere could visit one of the bandstands to listen to the fine music of the brass bands there. Those looking for unadulterated fun instead could watch as Dropsy the Clown tricked and pranked the oblivious volunteers in dozens of hilarious ways.
Another very popular section was that of the artists, with acrobats, tightrope walkers and trapeze acts enrapturing the audience with seemingly impossible and death-defying stunts. Rowdy spectators made bets on when an artist would fail or fall, but they seldom won anything—this circus only housed talented performers.
If one was still not satisfied with the action, they needed to look no further: scattered around were those who dealt with only the most stunning displays. Jugglers challenged passer-bys to keep five or six balls in motion for a reward or amazed them by juggling things like lit torches. Others spun numerous plates atop tall poles, keeping them from falling with what seemed like sorcery.
One more different spectacle were the knife throwers who once again relied on bold volunteers to display their skill and accuracy with the deadly tools. Some were crazy enough to go much further and swallow the knives before following up with eating and then breathing out fire.
A break from the intensity was much needed for many after all these, and they quickly found their way to the tents of the mediums, mesmerists and fortune tellers. The Gypsy community was most prevalent in this section, many venerable women had practice in such arts.
For just a small fee, curious watchers were shown a variety of mystical and occult acts, ranging from crowd pleasers to those very personal in nature. Many asked for various spells and blessings to be applied to them, each wishing for what they lacked the most: health, wealth or even love. Some ached to hear about their lost loved ones once more through a medium who claimed to be able to summon the spirit of the dead.
However, many would argue that these numerous aforementioned acts all pale in comparison to the one that could be seen—and
was being seen by a huge crowd—in the middle of the field at the largest ring: the performance of famous animal tamer Tobias Hicks.
The young man arrived to the scene an hour ago, standing atop not one, but two large horses prancing in complete sync. He presented himself to the growing audience and began his show, which has been going on without a break ever since. First were a number of tricks with the two horses which demonstrated complete trust in both each other and their trainer. Many gentlemen noted that if their own stallions were this calm and well-groomed, they would have been just as successful in the military as the organiser Sir Wellington.
The equestrian show was just the beginning however, as soon there were new animals led into the ring by Tobias' assistants. A collective gasp escaped the audience when the majestic lion let out a mighty roar or when the fierce tiger pounced to the edge of the ring as if it wanted to feast on the onlookers today. Though this of course did not happen, Tobias made sure to keep up the excitement as he laid his head into the lion's mouth for several seconds and rode the tiger as if it was a mere horse. When the excessive noise of the people started bothering the animals, he calmed them down and continued.
Suddenly, he stepped out of the ring and took the hand of one lucky lady from the front rows. He brought her inside and guided her to do a few simple stunts with the two animals who seemingly accepted her just as they did Tobias. The trainer took a bow together with his ‘accomplice’ after the successful performance and led her out of the ring.
Nothing else was needed for the rest. The front rows filled with girls screaming and reaching over into the ring, dying for a chance for a couple minutes spent together with the exotic animals...and their even more exotic tamer.
