Reminiscences of the Henglers—The Rope-dancing Henglers at
Astley’s—Circus of Price and Powell—Its Acquisition by the
Henglers—Clerical Presentation to Frowde, the Clown—Circus
Difficulties at Liverpool—Retirement of Edward Hengler—Rivalry of
Howes and Cushing—Discontinuance of the Tenting System—Miss Jenny
Louise Hengler—Conversion of the Palais Royal into an
Amphitheatre—Felix Rivolti, the Ring-master.
Conscious as I am of the imperfections of the foregoing record of circus
performances in this country, it is a relief to my mind to be enabled to
supplement the history with some further particulars concerning the
establishments so long, and with such well-deserved success, conducted
by the gentlemen who bear the renowned names of Hengler and Sanger. I am
indebted for the following memoir of the Henglers to a gentleman well
known in the equestrian profession, and who has for many years held the
important position of acting-manager in one of the best-appointed and
most admirably-conducted circuses in this country.
Mr Charles Hengler, the proprietor of the cirque in Argyle Street, may
be said to have been born to the equestrian profession, his father
having been a celebrated tight-rope dancer with Ducrow, in whose service
he remained for several years; and thus had an opportunity of teaching
his sons his own profession.
Edward Henry Hengler, the eldest, became famous in England and on the
Continent under the title of Herr Hengler, and was the most celebrated
professor of that art in his day. He died a few years since. John Milton
Hengler, a younger son, inherited the family talent, and also became
famous in America, and on the Continent. He came to England on the
retirement of his elder brother, and was considered a worthy successor.
A few years ago he retired from active service, and opened a riding
school in Liverpool, where he is still residing, highly respected and
esteemed by all who know him. Charles Hengler was, fortunately for him,
too tall to follow in the footsteps of his brothers, so his father
determined to make him the business man of the family, and his present
position is ample proof of his father’s success in so doing.
After leaving Ducrow, Hengler, with his sons, joined the circus of Price
and Powell—Powell having married one of his daughters. Here they
remained some time, Charles attending to the business department, and
his father and brothers performing in the ring. As the showman’s life
is, at the best, a very precarious one, Price and Powell got into
difficulties while performing at Greenwich, and were consequently
obliged to dispose of their concern, which was purchased by Charles and
Edward Hengler. Price went abroad, and Powell, who was an excellent
equestrian, accepted an engagement with the new proprietors, who carried
on the business for several years with varied success, sometimes making
money, and as frequently losing what they had worked so hard to obtain.
It must be remarked that in those days equestrianism was not so popular
as it has since become, and there were two men in the business who
carried all before them, namely, Ducrow and Batty; so young and
struggling beginners had a hard battle to fight, the best towns in
England being in the possession of the former. But, as usual in all such
cases, courage and perseverance, combined with honesty of purpose and
strict attention to business, ultimately met its reward; for Henglers’
circus at last made a name for itself, being the most respectably
conducted establishment of that class travelling the provinces.
During the summer months they ‘tented,’ and in the winter erected
temporary wooden buildings in populous towns, in which the second visit
was invariably more remunerative than the previous one—a sufficient
proof of the high estimation in which the company were held. This is not
to be wondered at, when it is stated that several performers, who were
then with Mr Hengler, are yet on his establishment; notably, Mr James
Franks, one of the best clowns in his line of business of this or any
other day. Also Mr Bridges, Mr Powell, and a few others. Of course, with
the exception of Mr Powell, they were very young men when they first
joined him. There was also another very clever clown on the
establishment, of whom I must say a few words. This was James Frowde, a
nephew of the proprietors. This gentleman, who several years since
retired from the equestrian profession, was an immense favourite with
all classes. His appearance in the ring was invariably greeted with
acclamations, and in private life his company was sought by many of the
most respectable members of the community. To give some idea of the
popularity of this gentleman, I may state that while the company were
located in Chester in 1856, several clergymen presented him with a very
valuable Bible. This was made the subject of an eulogistic paragraph in
_Punch_, in which the recipient and the donors were equally
complimented—the one for deserving such a testimonial, the others for
their liberal appreciation of his conduct as clown, Christian, and
gentleman. It would be well if more of our divines followed so excellent
an example; not necessarily by presenting Bibles, for the poor player
not only possesses the book, but in most instances acts up to its
teachings.
It was while residing in Chester that Mr Hengler obtained the patronage
of the Marquis of Westminster; of course on previous occasions he had
been patronized by many distinguished personages, and this particular
instance is mentioned only because it was the source of Mr Hengler’s
gaining a footing in Liverpool. I may here be allowed to quote a short
paragraph which appeared in the _Chester Observer_:—
‘HENGLER’S CIRQUE.—The patronage and presence of the Mayor at this
admirably-conducted place of entertainment on Tuesday last filled the
building to overflowing.... Last night the performances were under the
patronage of Earl Grosvenor, M. P. In the morning the Marquis of
Westminster honoured the establishment with his patronage and presence,
the noble lord kindly and duly appreciating the just claim that Mr
Hengler has on the public as regards talent, attraction, and propriety,
and so, with his usual discretion and sound judgment, took this
opportunity to signify to Mr Henry, the manager, his conscientious
approval of Mr Hengler’s admirably-conducted establishment.’ Mr Hengler
also received a letter from the Marquis conveying a similar opinion.
For several years it had been the desire of Mr Hengler and other
equestrian managers to obtain permission from the authorities of
Liverpool to erect a temporary circus in that town. Applications were
frequently made, and as frequently refused. The invariable answer was,
‘If you wish to perform in this town, you must make an arrangement with
Mr Copeland; he has the Amphitheatre, and we cannot allow any one to
oppose him.’ Now although the Amphitheatre, as its name imports, had
been originally built for equestrian performances, they had with one or
two exceptions, and these in its earliest days, proved failures. Of
course no manager possessing the knowledge of Mr Hengler would risk
going there, especially as the best arrangement it was possible to make
with the then proprietor was something like ‘Heads I win, tails you
lose.’ I think I am not far wrong in stating that Mr Hengler had made
seven or eight applications; and invariably received a similar reply,
‘You can’t be allowed to build here. The Amphitheatre is open to you; go
there, or go away.’ Armed with the Marquis of Westminster’s letter, and
several other valuable testimonials, Mr Hengler determined to make one
more trial; with what success I shall presently show.
A piece of ground, the property of the corporation, was vacant in Dale
Street, and was a capital site for the erection of a temporary circus.
Mr Hengler, and his architect, Mr O’Hara, went to Liverpool, and
obtained an interview with the then Mayor, a celebrated builder and a
liberal-minded gentleman.
The testimonials were shown and a promise was made, that, at the next
meeting of the Council, Mr Hengler’s request should be brought forward,
and that the Mayor would assist him by using his influence. With this Mr
Hengler was compelled to be satisfied.
From Chester, Mr Hengler went to Bradford, on which occasion the
following paragraph appeared in the _Leeds Mercury_, of January 10,
1857—
‘Mr Hengler’s Establishment receives, as it deserves, the patronage of
immense audiences. The performances are so unique and varied, that they
cannot fail to please; while it is gratifying to perceive the strict
care that is taken to prevent anything that could offend the most
fastidious. The generality of such entertainments are more or less loose
in their morality; but the able and correct manner in which these
performances are conducted is testified by the fact, that they have met
with the approbation of the local clergy. The Rev. Vicar patronizes the
performance on Monday next. And on that occasion Mr Hengler affords free
admission to the day-schools connected with the Church of England.’
This, of course, was of great value to Mr Hengler; and the authorities
at Liverpool were duly apprised of it; and, in a few days, the welcome
intelligence was conveyed to Mr Hengler that his request had been
complied with, and Mr O’Hara was started off to make arrangements for
the erection of the circus. This he soon succeeded in doing, Messrs
Holmes and Nicol, the eminent builders, undertaking its erection.
This circus was opened by Mr Hengler on March the 15th, 1857. To give
some idea of its style and appointments, I cannot do better than quote
the following description from the _Liverpool Daily Mail_ of March 20th,
1857.
‘HENGLER’S CIRQUE VARIETIES.—During the present week Mr Charles Hengler
has opened, in Dale Street, a handsome, commodious, and spacious
theatre, devoted to equestrian performances, which has been constructed
by Messrs Holmes and Nicol of this town, on the model of Franconi’s
famous Cirque, in the Champs Elysees, Paris. The building, though of a
temporary character, is most admirably suited for the purpose for which
it is designed; and while accommodating an immense number of spectators,
who can all easily witness the performances, the ventilation is perfect,
and with an entire absence of draughts. There is nothing to offend the
senses of smell or sight. The audience is placed in compartments round
the circle; the frequenters of the boxes being seated on cushioned
chairs, with a carpeted flooring under their feet. The compartments
entitled pit and gallery are also very comfortable, while round the
whole building runs a spacious promenade. The ceiling is covered with
coloured folds of chintz, which give a brilliant and cleanly appearance;
and the pillars supporting the roof are neatly papered, and ornamented
with flags and shields. The whole aspect is, in fact, what has long been
a desideratum in this country, and we regret it will have to be pulled
down again in a few months.
‘With respect to the performances, we can only speak most highly; they
are decidedly the best we have witnessed here since the appearance of
the French Company.
‘The horses are beautiful and well trained, the grooms smart and natty,
and the dresses of all connected with the establishment new and
tasteful. We have not space to mention a tithe of the performances,
which present many novelties, and display the varied talent of the
company to great advantage; the gentlemen being all daring and skilful,
and the ladies, equally clever, yet modest and charming. In fact, we can
strongly recommend our readers to pay a visit to Mr Hengler’s circus;
for, as we were surprised and delighted ourselves, we feel assured that
no one can regret patronizing an entertainment so harmless, pleasing,
and exciting.’
In one respect, the writer of the above paragraph made a mistake, for,
although the circus was originally intended to be a temporary building,
the success was so great that it remained standing for five years, Mr
Hengler visiting Liverpool for four months each winter. At this time the
company comprised William Powell, Anthony and John Bridges, the Brothers
Francisco, the clowns Frowde, Hogini, and Bibb, Ferdinand and Eugene,
Madame Bridges, Miss Adrian, etc. The performing horses were introduced
by Mr Hengler. Previous to Mr Hengler visiting Liverpool, the
partnership terminated between him and his brother Edward, the latter
having realized sufficient to retire from the profession.
The ground in Dale Street being wanted by the corporation for building
purposes, Mr Hengler obtained a site for the erection of a building in
Newington, and a lease of the ground for seven years. He here built a
very fine and capacious cirque, the builders who erected the one in Dale
Street undertaking the contract. It was to be a brick building; and they
were under heavy penalties to get it completed by a certain time.
Unfortunately for them, they had no sooner commenced, than a strike took
place amongst the brick-makers; and the builders had to appeal to Mr
Hengler, who allowed them to erect a wooden structure, they agreeing to
erect, at the expiration of the strike, brick walls around it, which was
done.
Here Mr Hengler remained for seven years, the term of his lease. The
ground was then required for a new railway, and he had to leave
Liverpool, not being able to find a site adapted to his purpose. While
Mr Hengler remained here, several other circuses attempted to oppose
him, the authorities, who had remained inflexible for so many years,
granting indiscriminate permission to whoever applied to them. All of
them failed, and soon left the town. A notable example occurred in one
especial case.
Howes and Cushing, the American equestrian managers, chartered a vessel,
and landed at Liverpool with the largest company and stud that had ever
visited these shores. They obtained the best position in Liverpool for
the erection of their tent: and this, only after Mr Hengler had been
open in Dale Street about one month. They inundated the town with their
large pictorial posters, paid fabulous sums for fronts and sides of
houses on which to have them affixed. Liverpool really went Howes and
Cushing mad. The American colours were flying from every house in which
any of the company lodged. Columns of advertisements were in all the
Liverpool newspapers; and the day upon which they advertised to parade
the town every house in the line of procession was closed. The streets
were crowded; all Liverpool seemed to have congregated on the line of
route. Special trains came from the surrounding districts.
The procession was certainly a noble one. A huge car, in which the band
was seated, was drawn by forty horses, driven in hand. The whole of the
company, a very extensive one, was placed in the other cars, which were
elaborately carved and gilt. The pageant terminated with a procession of
Indians, and a huge musical instrument which was played by steam power.
And what was the result? The morning after their first performance the
papers were unanimous in saying Mr Hengler’s entertainment was far
superior. One of them stated that ‘the greatest circus in America has
met more than its match in Liverpool.’ They remained but two weeks; the
business falling off very considerably, while Mr Hengler’s increased
nightly.
After a few very successful seasons in Liverpool Mr Hengler discontinued
the tenting business in the summer months,—never to him a very congenial
occupation, and erected large buildings in several important towns,
notably, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, and Hull. Those in Glasgow and Hull
are still in existence; and, when not occupied by the proprietor, are
let for concerts, and entertainments of a similar character.
In 1865 Mr Hengler was offered an engagement at Cremorne Gardens, where
there was a very fine building, originally erected for equestrian
purposes, but used latterly for exhibiting a Stereorama, which proved a
great failure, although the paintings were by those eminent artists,
Grieve and Telbin. For several years Mr Hengler had been desirous of
performing before a London audience, and thought this a good opportunity
of feeling the pulse of the metropolitan public. He therefore came to
terms with the then proprietor, Mr E. T. Smith; but, even in those days,
Cremorne was in its decadence, and the engagement was neither pleasant
to Mr Hengler nor his company. With the exception of one or two
miserable attempts, circus performers bade a final adieu to a place
which has lately gained such unenviable notoriety. After leaving
Cremorne Mr Hengler went to Hull, where he had a most successful season.
It may be a matter of surprise to many people that Mr Hengler never
brought any of his family (a very numerous one) up to the equestrian
business, with the exception of his daughter, Miss Jenny Louise. He was
always desirous that they should receive a good education. Now it would
be almost an impossibility to combine the two things, for, at the very
time children should be studying their lessons in school, they would be
compelled to be practising in the ring, and performing at night, as
Infant Prodigies, Lightning Lilliputians, or Bounding Brothers. Then how
about Miss Jenny Louise? it maybe asked. That young lady did not
commence riding before the public until she was eighteen years of age;
but she had such an intense desire to become an _equestrienne_, that she
learned, under her father’s tuition, more in one year, than many others
would have learned in a lifetime. She was naturally graceful, very
feminine, and she possessed the necessary nerve and firmness. She was
always most deservedly an immense favourite with the public, her skilful
horsemanship and charmingly graceful appearance never failing to secure
her hosts of admirers of both sexes.
I now come to Mr Hengler’s second appearance in London, which had such a
different result to the previous one, as will be shown in the sequel. In
1871, a gutta percha merchant, who had made several ventures in the
equestrian business, obtained possession of the Palais Royal in Argyle
Street, the site of the present cirque, and wished Mr Hengler to join
him. Mr Hengler took time to consider the proposal, which after due
consideration he declined, the previous experiments of the gutta percha
merchant in the equestrian business having invariably proved so
unsuccessful that his shows became known amongst equestrians as the
Gutta Percha Circus, an appropriate title, they having in most instances
so suddenly collapsed.
After some difficulty, Mr Hengler succeeded in obtaining possession of
the Palais Royal, as it was then called, and speedily converted it into
the elegant theatre, so admirably adapted for its present purposes,
which was opened in the autumn of 1871. His first season was not a
profitable one, in a pecuniary sense; and this, in a great measure, is
to be accounted for by the fact, that circus entertainments in London
had become very unpopular. In the first place, the circus in Holborn had
been badly managed, the proprietors not understanding the business. In
this year it was again opened by one of the former proprietors, and the
season not having proved profitable, the place was soon closed.
In 1872 it was opened under the auspices of the gutta percha merchant,
though his name did not appear publicly in the matter. Astley’s also
opened under the management of the Brothers Sanger, gentlemen of great
experience in the profession, and who, as a matter of course, were
formidable rivals. There were now ‘three Richmonds in the field,’ and,
as Mr Hengler, although popular in the provinces, was not known to any
great extent in London, he had to bide his time, until the superiority
of his entertainments became known and appreciated. At any rate he had
sown the seed; the harvest was to be gathered hereafter. All who visited
the place were delighted with the high character of the entertainments.
Everything was neat and elegant; the horses were considered, by good
judges, to be far superior to those usually exhibited in places of this
description. Miss Jenny Louise Hengler had already become a great
favourite with lovers of high-class riding.
At Christmas, _Cinderella_, with a host of juveniles, was for the first
time produced in a London Cirque. Everybody who witnessed it left the
place delighted; and it became the talk of London. The mid-day
performances were invariably well attended, and by the best families in
London and its suburbs; but Mr Hengler’s expenses were very great, and
the receipts, though good, were not commensurate with his outlay and
risk. He remained in London until the beginning of May, and then went
into the provinces, where he met with his usual success.
In November, 1872, he again opened the Cirque in Argyle Street, to which
he brought a very clever company, the principal features being Miss
Jenny Louise Hengler, ‘Little Sandy,’ who made his first appearance in
London, and the performing horses. This season, the Prince and Princess
of Wales and family honoured the Cirque with a visit, and expressed
themselves highly delighted with the entertainment. Mr Joe Bibb, another
very clever grotesque and clown, appeared during this season, and soon
became popular. Mr H. B. Williams, a lyrical jester, was also a
favourite. Mr Charles Fish, an American rider, made his first appearance
in England, and created a sensation.
At Christmas, _Jack the Giant Killer_ was produced, with an army of
forty juveniles, whose evolutions were highly commended. This season was
a very profitable one, although the circus in Holborn and Astley’s were
open at the same time. Mr Hengler remained until the beginning of March,
when he left for Dublin.
After visiting several towns, he returned to London in November, 1873.
This was a very successful season—several new engagements having been
effected, notably Mr William Bell, one of the best, if not the very
best, equestrians in the profession, and Mr Lloyd, another extraordinary
rider. Little Sandy now became, if possible, more popular than before;
and the portrait of Miss Jenny Louise Hengler was in all the
photographers’ windows, and in everybody’s album.
Mr Felix Rivolti, the genial ring-master who had been with Mr Hengler,
with the exception of a few months, about eighteen years, was still in
great force. This gentleman had the happy knack of pleasing all
audiences, as one half invariably laughed with him, the other half as
certainly laughed at him. Very good judges considered him the best
ring-master since the celebrated Widdicomb delighted his audiences at
Astley’s.
Observe with what a self-sufficient smirk Rivolti enters the arena,
gracefully handing in the young lady; see how he places her on her
horse, and then looks round the house, as much as to say, ‘In one minute
you will be delighted to see what I can make her do.’ He cracks his
whip, the horse starts into a canter, the young lady leaps from his
back, over garlands, through hoops, etc., etc., when the horse stops,
and while the audience are applauding, how happy Rivolti appears! He
looks around as much as to say to the audience, ‘I told you I could do
it. But wait a minute. You see this clown; now I am going to make him do
all manner of funny things.’ Then ‘Little Sandy’ performs some of his
quaint tricks as only ‘Little Sandy’ can, and while the audience are
laughing and applauding, with what complacency Rivolti looks at them,
every feature in his face beaming with gratification. His many admirers
will be sorry to hear that he has for the present left the profession,
to which, however, he will probably soon return.
Mr John Henry Cooke returned from America this year, and again joined Mr
Hengler’s Company. _Cinderella_ was reproduced for the Christmas
holidays, and with greater splendour than on the previous occasion.
Large audiences visited the circus, and the season proved a very
profitable one. The Prince and Princess of Wales and family again
visited the cirque. From London Mr Hengler and his company went to
Dublin, and from thence to Hull and Glasgow, returning to London to open
for the fourth season in December 1874. The company was of the usual
excellence, including a new importation from America, Mr Wooda Cook, a
very clever equestrian; ‘Little Sandy,’ and Mr Barry, a very pleasing
lyrical jester, a great favourite in America, where he has been located
several years. The other performers are all excellent. The great feature
for the Christmas holidays was a new pantomime, entitled _Little Red
Riding Hood_, performed (with the exception of ‘Little Sandy,’ who
enacts the Wicked Wolf) entirely by children, original music being
composed by Messieurs Rivière and Stanislaus. The idea of this piece is
entirely original, nothing of a similar description having been produced
in the arena. The cirque is crowded at every representation, and the
present promises to be a greater success than either of Mr Hengler’s
previous seasons in Argyle Street.