The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-09-10

Ihe secret OF Bl Ondtnss Success.
The Now York Century, of August 9th,
says
The wonderful power that Blondin pos
sesses Of balancing himself is tho point Of
curiosity and amazement to the crowd. By
explaining little of the philosophy Of this
feat we may lessen the astonishment of some
people, and perhaps remove the chief diff
Guilty To rational amount OF self culture,
resulting in an Improvement of the nervous
system. The common toy of man, spinning
on the point OF = wire, explains the whole
matter. The centre of gravity IL lowered to
the bas ., and there it is easily preserved
The use Of the pole answers the same purpose.
Blondin's pole is thirty-six feet long, and
weighs forty-six pounds. Held below the
middle Of the body, it brings his centre of
gravity sufficiently near to the rope, to be
one end and corresponding depression Of
the other restores the balance OF the body.
The skill to govern the position, by an ex-
act movement Of the pole to the required az
tent, and not an inch further, results from
practice. Those who have seen ssthe infant
phenomenon Of the Rave troupe on the
tight rope, must have observed the imperfect
management Of the pole in lees experienced
hands. Philosophically, Blondin and his
pole constitute one body, and the extension
laterally Of it's weight - equivalent to lower
ing the centre of gravity, or enlarging the
base on which he walks. The most perilous
exploit Of III. Blondin is that of carrying a
man on his back Here be runs 4 frightful
risk, because he cannot command the ner-
vous system OF another person. To this ex-
pertinent he will fall a victim, il he persists
in IL. The slightest trepidation OF nerve in
the carried body will imperil his centre OF
gravity, and put it out Of his command, in
spite OF the skill with which he adjusts the
weight to rest ~ much as possible on his
hips, ard as little - possible on his shout
ders. Travellers over mountains are warned
BY their guides to Git passively on the mule,
without attempting to direct the animal
This is what the man must do who rides on
Blondin's back. His own command Of nerve
must be equsl to that Of his master, or he on
dangers both. THETA of dsmounting sew
eral times proves that it was so, and that he
did not avail himself Of any trick in shutting
his eyes from the abyss below.
This s the whole explanation OF M. Blon-
dn's feat-his lowering Of the centre Of grav-
ity near to the base, and bis amazingly skill
full government Of it. We would not advise
any one to try hazardous experiments; bat
the truth of this EXPLANATION NAV be tested
by walking on the edge Of board firmly
fixed in the required position on the ground
or floor, and by using or dispensing with the
balancing pole, or other weight, to control
the centre Of gravity.
THE MEMORY or FaANKLlN,-A base. con-
strucsei Of granite, to support the slab in
memory Of BENJAMIN Franklin and his wife,
was yesterday placed in the position assigned
for 1t. 1t reefs upon plain foundation OF
stone, and in dimensions 10 six feet ten inches
long, four feet ten inches wide, and three
feet deep. The new letter chiselled in the
solid stone, comprises the simple inscrip-
ton: !" Benjamin and Deborah Franklin,
Observation-Disclosures Eve. journal, Aug.
! 10Th.
GA couple OF "Hoosiers'' elopsd the
other day, and being questioned by an a.
quaintance in regard to their destination, the
fair girl Immediately replied ssTo Cincin-
natl. The editors there make such pretty