P. T. Barnum：Struggles and Triumphs, Additional Excerpt 203

In fact, I soon became the General’s _avant courier_, though not doing the duties of an _avant courier_ to an ordinary exhibition, since these duties generally consist in largely puffing the “coming man” and expected show, thus endeavoring to create a public appetite and to excite curiosity. My duties were quite different; after engaging the largest theatre or saloon to be found in the town, I put out a simple placard, announcing that the General would appear on such a day. Thereafter, my whole energies were directed, apparently, to keeping the people quiet; I begged them not to get excited; I assured them through the public journals, that every opportunity should be afforded to permit every person to see “the distinguished little General, who had delighted the principal monarchs of Europe, and more than a million of their subjects,” and that if one exhibition in the largest audience room in the town would not suffice, two or even three would be given.

Source： https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50115
Locator：Additional excerpt 203 · Verified：2026-10-19 · Verification：Short excerpt

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