The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-04-12 00:00:00

ASTONISHING FEAT AT NIAGARA.

Since the fatal leap of the famous Sam Patch, no feat
of daring has equalled the One recently accomplished at
Niagara by Andrew Greenleaf, of Connecticut. A cor-
respondent gives the following graphic account of
it
One evening. about a week ago, while sitting in the
saloon of the International Hotel, I became interested
in an animated conversation which was in progress
between two perxonx, of whom one seemed to be a
Southerner and the other an Italian. The latter had
registered hie name as Signor Gaspe Morelli, but I have
since learnt that he is really a Yankee boy; that he was
born and raised near Stonington, Connecticut, and
dubbed by hie affectionate parents Andrew Greenleaf.
An he grew older Ise was afflicted with an intense desire
to become a circus performer. and finally ran away from
house to connect hisnielf with *owe strolling company.
Ile was for a while • member of Itarnuin's inoneiuse
"ehow," and hie astonishing performances upon stabs
will be remembered by thowsande. He had before this
time suutunted the name lie now bears, as well to escape
recognition as to avoid the fate of • " prophet in his
own country." He is a handsome, frank-looking loan.
..f about 25, has a fair complexion, and wears a small
black inoustache. At present he is staying here without
an engagement. The conversation referrel to was • ilia-
cussi ~,, upon the possible feats which might be &MOW-
01411ed by a man upon etilts. Signor Morelli fax I will
cell him), asserted his ability to do many things, •
belief in which required considerable faith. The South-
erner. who is a well-known xporting gentleman of New
Orleans, evidently thought the Signor was lying pretty
hard, and at his last announcement he laughed loud
not long. Morelli bad, in fact, expressed bin conviction
that he could cross the Niagara river, walking upon
tilts. amid the foaming and unsounded rapids that
whirl between Goat Island and the Falls._. . .

"11l bet you • thousand dollars to fifty it can't be
done," exclaimed the Southerner.
" I accept the challenge," answered Morelli, quietly.
The astonishment of his hearers at this reply way be
imagined.
" When do you propose to attempt it?" inquired the
challenger.
"Itn soduroloy morning, the 12th of February," tran-
p
quilly re I .1 I%
Tile assurance with which he spoke filled every one
with surprise, which was Out lessened when Ise produced
the l, for his deposit. The stakes were handed
over to Mr. Augustus Train, of Buffalo, and the cum•
palsy separated to await the results of this singular
wager. The interval was spent by Morelli in constant
enrolee, for the purpose of strengthening his limbs,
somewhat relaxed by a MAMOn of rest. Ilts friends es•
issatulateol in vain against the apparently insane hazard,
and even propoaml to return to him the amount lie
would be compelled to forfeit. Ile ;mewed sure of wilt'
Ding. and would listen to no one. Ti avoid a crowd it
eine 4011011110 MI that the attempt would be made upon the
14th (Monday), instead of toothy, en that at 7 Ribs iiiiirn•
lug there were only about dt/ persons by the river bank.
Punctually at that hour Morelli appeared, in this health
and spirit*.
Ile hail with him • pair of stilts, about 12 feet long.
made of wrought iron, let,isharp.eolged, and pointed -
shaped, In fact, almost toreelowly like a doultle•colgeil
dagger. They were firmly lashed to Ids legs, and he
walked towards the river with a confident cutuilu. 'rho
morning was clear and cold, but he wee attired very
lightly, in a dress malty worn by profeeisional Iry sssss tots.
At lit mittutea peat 7 lie stepped Into the water, which
in another moment was holing, lsurging, and netting
beneath hie feet. Tho boldest of the lookersoses hull Ids
breath in suspense as the daring man receded from the
ahore. Ilu clime accosted unmoved, and lIMAMII on slowly
and carefully, avoiding the larger rocks which were
made apparent by the eddying current. His stops at
first were very short and carefully made, but afterwards
became holder anil longer. The MAU, of course, were NO
nineed that the current struck only against their sharp
edges, and produced but little effect ; but the danger
from sunken rocks and the conviction that a mingle false
step would send him to death, produced • feeling whichs
was horribly painful. Once or twice he seemed to lose
his balance, Ind a sickening shudder rim through each
one of the beholders. Recovering himself, lie still kept
on—still receded, until, to our straining eyes, he could
scarcely be distinguished from the foaming UMW%
The middle of the river MN attained at last ; hours
, seemed to have Aud, but it was barely 17 minutes piton
he left the shore.. .

AN he approached the deeeted and most dangerous
part of his route, the suspense became snore fearfully
intense. No word was spoke's, °swept that one man
offered another for • moment's use of Ills lorgnette,
which offer passed unheeded. Just as Morelli reached
the swiftest and deepest part of the current, he seemed
to tutter—sink—ho threw sup his arms ! I closed iny
eyes. Opening than • 'moment after I saw that lie was
still standing. A few 11101111 Call snore, and lie lied
reached the Canadian bank—he wee safe, and fell ex-
lisusted into the WIWI of two awn who were waiting to
receive him... . . . .

At 3 p.m. he has nearly recoved, and, though atilt in
bed, received the congratulations of ileums of visitors
who came inuring in. He left the American Aare 950
feet above the fall, and came out about 1,009 feet above
the Canadian. The nioney has already been handed
over to him, and all will agree that it ham been fairly
won. His generous opponent is able to afford bin loss,
and speaks in praise of Morelli inure enthusiastically
than ever.

"Ile rho liner Weir Me J6lll ran keep It ',nee ,Ine hns•
(rlthitne Marine) Mr. Vortune relater that when
Clilnete )lerehatite are .keil why the Teen ethic!, the natl....
on lif.• one eoloured like thi.e prepared for export, reply
Cl. M man will Gay only fir dronk,—Mnalosh Merchant like
ill tlllOO,l foot., he gets snore iciest loaf made y.,4 to eye."
1.1.11y.re Ton.iison al., know, that tlte cottly torten( and the
northlees brown leaves when coloured look alike. and that '
they inn then rultstitute the &PI for the rod. If Tra
Meretants would a...meagre the practice tif fitelog the leaf,
and but only Pure Tee --ilteappolittntent would be ICin fee-
nuetit mu satirist-Mon mire eertaln. It i.e thei elective id
pondered colour fr" 111 tlw leaf, and votirequent noiforin
onorgy, lIPA rendered the Tow. banshee...l l.y llorniman
,k poptiter. dold seemed let Packet., and as adrertbied,
by A—ente indy.
HOLUMAY'I OINIIIIINT.—UIeers, soiree, and scrofulous, erup-
tions fir which all sorts of eetabllstteti" remedies hate been
tried In rain have linen thoroughly cured In an alturt Incr.
dhly short tint@ by Ilelliotsay's Olutatent. The OURIOIOII
topical applications are were palliative.; but thin unrivalled
unguent penetrate+ the source tif the esti, drtroys the secret
ti..ue, and eradicates the decease for ever. In unllnaq MON
the Ointment ehould he briskly rubbed Into the pone afiected ;
but if too tender or irritable for this proem, they should be
gently lubricated with It. The most inveterate fraternal dimes
will yield, wooer or baler, to this Ointment.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

THE I'DDIDN:ATIDN AND IIIrisoLVTION or PARLIA.
MINT.— We have good reason for anticipating that the
business before the House of l'onimons which it will be
necessary to dispose of will be got through by the 16th
inst., so that the prorogation may take place on that
day. The I limolution would immediately follow, and
the new writs would be issued the same evening, as was
the Case at the dissolution of 18117.—Glube.