It is but natural that the greatest Hippodrome of the world should be quartered at the greatest pleasure-resort of the world, and the arrangements made at the Crystal Palace for the reception and performances of Mr. Myers’ Company will fittingly occupy the first place in this brief account of his establishment, and of the entertainments which will be offered to the public during his visit to England. The stables (marked D on plan), whose dimensions are given elsewhere, occupy the basement at the north end of the building adjoining the Skating Rink, and will be open to the inspection of visitors, affording what is really tantamount to a daily show of horses and ponies of the highest breed, training, and mettle. The arrangements for ventilation and the preservation of cleanliness are perfect. The horses each occupy separate stalls; the floor is of concrete, and the whole is lighted with gas whenever necessary. The elephants and camels are housed in specially-erected stables (E on plan) at the north end of the Second Terrace, near the bear-pit; and the lions are caged on the north lawns, being transported daily with their cages to the various places of exhibition.

The performances take place in various locales—in fact it may safely be affirmed that no arena in England could be found better adapted than the Crystal Palace for the display of Mr. Myers’ resources. The great course of three-quarters of a mile in length (C on plan) has been formed by connecting the First and Second Terraces, on which will take place the steeple-chases, hurdle-races, parades of richly-mounted carriages lavishly plated and decorated, and revivals of classic sports. This transformation has been effected by the construction of two inclined planes, 120 yards in length, built of timber, supported on piles, and overlaid with a thick stratum of earth or tan to form a suitable roadway.

The conformation of the Greek hippodrome was not unlike that of the great course formed in the Crystal Palace grounds, the sides being parallel, and one end semicircular. The site for the hippodrome of old was also chosen, as a rule, on the side of a hill. The circuit of the Olympic hippodrome was about 2,500 feet, or a little less than half a mile; that of the course on the first and second terraces of the Crystal Palace is 3,760 feet, or half as long again. The width of the Greek hippodrome was about 400 feet; that of the Crystal Palace also 400 feet. The Circus Maximus of Rome was three stadia, or about 1,800 feet, in length; and about 600 feet across.

If we picture to ourselves the whole frontage of the Crystal Palace, 1,584 feet in length, tier upon tier affording accommodation to thousands of spectators, and overlooking a combination of natural and artificial scenery such as is hardly to be matched in England, we may justly claim that the Coliseum of Rome in all its glory did not afford a spectacle so picturesque, and with the additional advantage that the performances at the Crystal Palace will be entirely free from debasing elements.

The equestrian performances, entertainments of Oriental jugglery and acrobats, feats of lion-taming, by John Cooper, and other exhibitions, are divided between the great centre transept (A on plan) and the great waterproof tent (B on plan) erected at the north end, occupying 21,600 square feet, and capable of holding 4,000 persons. An ingenious plan has been devised by which the centre transept can be at will transformed into an enormous circus, or revert to its normal use as a promenade, a theatre, or colossal concert-hall. A ring of 44 feet outer and 30 feet inner dimensions, has been formed by constructing a sunken circle about 12 inches below the level of the original floor, which is rendered capable of removal to just such an extent as will disclose the ring, the boarding being replaced to form the ordinary promenade, at such times as the circus performances are not going on. The elephants and other animals will be brought from their stables in the basement and park to the centre transept along an inclined plane of about 250 feet in length, and of ample width to allow both human and quadrupedal performers to pass or repass.