The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-27 00:00:00

FATAL ACCIDENT.

A most deplorable accident, by which two poor
men lost their lives, occurred on Thursday night in
the Portobello-gardens. It will be recollected that
some time since advertisements appeared in the
public journals, announcing that
in connection
Blondin, Whose
name is familiar to the public, connection with
the Falls of Niagara, over which he is stated to
have performed several perilous acrobatic feats on.
the tight-rope, would make his debut in these gar-
dens, and perform " a terrific ascent" on a rope at
an elevation of 50 feet from the ground. The rope
on which M. Blondin was to walk was placed on the
piece of ground to the right of the principal pro-
menade. It was fastened at one end to upright poles
at a distance of about 30 feet from the ground, the
other end being secured to other poles, which were
at an elevation of 50 feet, so that the rope presented
an inclined plane, sloping in the direction from.
which the ascent was commenced. The entire length.
was something more than 100 yards. The two men.
who unfortunately were killed were stationed at
the end of the rope 50 feet from the ground, on a
small platform or ladder, for the purpose of hold-
ing lights and receiving M. Blondin when be had
accomplished his journey. Their names are John
Cunningham, a carpenter, and Thomas Neill, the
gardener of the place; both were married, and had
families. Shortly before ten o'clock M. Blondin
appeared upon the top of the ladder, at the com-
mencement of the rope, and began to walk along
steadily. The blue fire which was lighted when.
he set out threw a bright lurid glare, by which 110
could be distinctly perceived cautiously treadi▪
ng
crowd
the rope, steadying himself with
the ai
balancing pole. He had passed the two poles Whd of
i a.▪
ch.
whenformed the first prop to the ropes, a sudden
andcrash
hewas
seen
washeard the
to fall t lasto
two poles came
aTi do
the
ground.
at once rushed to where he fell, not exactly under-
standing what had butoccurred,believing that he
was killed. He, however, quickly got up, and
stated that he had escaped uninjured. In a few
moments the people were attracted to the real scene
of the catastrophe, by the sound of groans proceed-
ing from the place where the poles fell. A scene
of groat confusion ensued, several of the torches
having been extinguished, and the preeise nature
or extent of the accident not being yet known.
When lights were procured the two unhappy men
were found lying on the ground—one of them.
(Cunningham) bleeding from a wound in the heal
They were raised immediately and conveyed upon
cars to the Meath Hospital, where they were at once
attended to by Mr. John Keegan, the resident
pupil, who, after an examination, stated that they
were both dead. The bodies were then given into
the care of the police, and an inquest will be held
on them to-day.—Dublin paper.

A GALLANT RESCUE.—About four o'clock in OA
afternoon a boy fell over into Folkestone harbour whilst at-
tempting to stop a a cap blown in that direction by the wind.
Ropes were thrown to the lad from two or three Wt.' the
nearest vessels, but he did not appear to have suifivlent
energy to catch at either of them ; and although boat's were
being pulled rapidly towards him, his weakening struggles
evidenced too plainly that he must have sunk; wb en a brave
fellow, named Thomas Horton, suddenly sprang from among
the spectators, succeeded in catching the drowning lad
at the first plunge, and held his head above the water untiL
a boat arrived to their assistance. A cheer resounded front
all sides as the rescue was effected ; but a more substantial'
mark of admiration was not wanting, for we observed a
subscription was immediately set on foot to reward Horton.
fur his courage and success,