Ashton’s Circus – Miss Annie Ashton.

Very rare engraved image of Ashton’s Circus.

From the original edition of Town and Country Journal.

‘This remarkable young actress, who forms the subject of the annexed engraving, is the daughter of the popular circus proprietor, Mr. James Ashton, and a native of this colony. At the early age of 10 years she evinced an expertness and graceful movement which would do credit to the most experienced per former of some of her feats on the tightrope aroe exceedingly clever, and promise for her a world-wide reputation in the future. Wheeling a barrow across the unsteady cord is quite a matter of ease with this youthful acrobat, while lovers of more dangerous exploits may be entertained by her elegant motions to a lively tune, or the still more difficult performance of the drum solo. But all these are eclipsed by the thrilling chair feat, in which the future rival of the famous Blondini places a chair upon the rope on two of its feet, and coolly seats herself, polo in hand, as comfortably as any of the astonished spectators, and probably more so Australians will watch with pride the future career of this young lady, whose extraordinary skill is unmixed with a single desire to gain the public appro bation by any question able means. Connected with a family who are distinguished, after professional skill, only by their philanthropy and re cence, this young lady has been received with respectful applause in every district where she has made her appearance. With regard to Mr. Ashton, we cannot speak too highly of’ his great talent or his noble-hearted generosity, in developing native talent, he has succeeded in more instances than those of his gifted family ; for Mr. Taylor, none Help also an Australian, was an apprentice to Mr Ashton and learnt from his able hands the wonders of his art. Mr. Ashton preserves his wondrous skill, despite the passage of years and ceaseless word . and even now nightly crowds assemble to ad mire the agility of a per former whose name has been a household work for the last decade. No town has been visited for professional purposes by this philanthropic actor with out receiving a noble reciprocation of its favours in the endowment of its local institutions, social and religious, with a lavish hand. The company, under Mr. Ashton’s management, comprises numerous performers, of unquestionable- skill, with about forty horses and twelve vehicles. So large a travelling circus is rarely to be met with in the colonies, consequently the advent of Mr Ash ton’s troupe to the provincial townships, has elicited unusual interest, and has met with more than ordinary success, A large and valuable collection of testimonials presented to Mr. Ashton during his recent trip through Queensland and the northern districts of this colony, are ample evidence of the general fix this text favour in which he is held.’