The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-07-13

plish it, that he never would try; that 1t
was all swindle, that he would never
reach the middle of the river, &C. But
the possibility of his failure and conse.
quent death seemed to be q new element
of attractiveness. Judging from the great
crowd assembled. '
At precisely half-past four o'clock, M.
Blondin appeared in the pleasure garden,
where the American end of the rope was
fastened. There was short tight.rops
erected herein, upon which the daring
Frenchman mounted and went through
many of his most graceful and pleasing 1
feats, to the great admiration of the spec.
tators. His dress was similar to the one
frequently worn by acrobats and pnblic
gymnasts, viz: pink tights, buck.skin
moccasins, and spsngled tunic of yellow
silk; he was bare-headed. without even the
6llet of white satin that is frequently
worn.
At fifteen minutes past Eve be stepped
upon the large rope, where he conversed
few minutes with his friends in the most
cool and unconcerned manner, having ap-
parently no more doubt of his successfully
accomplishing this undertaking than he
had of attempting it. AS he stood for y
minute on the rope, before stepping out,
he addressed the crowd as follows !: aae
"Gentleman, any one what please to
across, I carry him on my back" fu,
No one seemed disposed to accept the
kind offer, and having joked a few minutes
longer, he at last started on his perilous
journey. He walked rapidly and firmly.
as if had been on bridge, until be chose
to stop to indulge ir some gymnastic evo-
lutions for few minutes. He balanced
himself on one leg, sat down, and laid
down on the rope at full length, then re-
covering himself, he walked to the middle
of the river, where he again stopped to
accomplish yet another feat not down in
the bill. Here, standing on the rope,
with as much indifference as il it was q
solid platform, he deliberately lowered q
small line to the little steamboat, the
"Naid of the Mist," that had steamed out
to that point; to the line. there was at.
tached a bottle of wine, by the captain oi
the boat, and the bottle being drawn ur
by the iadventurer, he opened it, snt
making a comprehensive box to boil
crowds on the sides of the river, he dranl
the health Of all present; then throwing
the bottle into the river, he walked on
stopping no more until he reached th
Canada shore. Q He was exactly niretee
minutes crossing the river, ipcludinI
E stops. Or his arrival on the Canad
e shore he was, cheered most vociferously
e He waited here about half an hour, whe
Z he prepared to return. At forty.tw
}, minutes past six he stepped on the rop
# to commence his return passage. H
e rested but once. lying down on the rop
e for two minutes, and accomplishing II
r return trip in eight minutes.
. As soon as he reached the shore, th
u cheers and shouting were almost deafer
o ing. NJ. Blondin, having been permitte
e an instant for refreshment, was seize
by the enthusiastic crowd and placed Q
y their shoulders, aud borne about in II
y ump. He was then placed in . ca
q riage and escorted through oil the pril
's cipal streets Of the village, the crow
g thronging him on ell sides, and chee
l. ing in the widest manner. He d
T. not appear very much exhausted, al
'e manifested no moro fear or nervousne
y than any ungympsstic novice would
10 eating breakfast. He announces his d
" termination to repeat his feat at int
walls during the summer.' h1ezd Dc 1t9i
Z Thus was successfully accomplish
.e one of tho most daring and .usels
- feats that even this fast age has 81
40 Witnessed. .+a ~ .,.-.J f..-........