Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-07-06
RECORDED ". y, .
rIii. 1ii > BENEFIT or
N. BLONDIN.

The arrival was the signal for increased en-
thusiasm, and the "Old War of 'l2" cannon
made report which reverberated with an ex-
traordinary loud echo, louder than the report
# the gun itself; the band struck up that soul
stirring strain, and kept at it, semi-Occ ssion-
ally, OF . Yankee Doodle" The rope being
al in readiness for the private exhibition, that
part OF the programme was gone through with,
nothing occurring of any interest worth noting
except the increased excitement which was
going up to the - nineties =" After this being
over, grand rush was made to the bank of the
fi'er, ard expected to see some persons pitch
over, but fortunately nothing occurred to mar
the performance
At quarter past FIVE, NJ. Blondin appeared
IN his handsome spangled dress and went
through some flourish Of rubbing his hands
dry, while friend, who was with him, said
that NJ B. would return in half an hour after
he crossed.
s,Tlpti0n at this moment. Hardly word was
loud spoken; all breathless anxiety. NJ. Blon-
DIN took his balance-pole in his hands and
mrunted the rope, where it overreached the
land. and commenced to walk out very eau
tIonsly, though without any apparent fear
The guys were twenty feet apart, and at this
distance could be easily counted. He contin-
u"i along until about fifty feet, when he stop
ped and laid hat upon his back. After few
moments IN this posture, he again took up the
route. and proceeded nearly one-half the dis
tanee- lie struck q graceful attitude, which
consisted cf raising his hand To shied his ewes
from the rays Of the sun and looked toward the
falls, afterwards reversing his view to the sus-
pension bridge. The anxiety was now greater
than ever; the steamer Maid Of the Mist was
struggling hard against the current TO deliver
the bottle. filled with some fluid for the Mon
s'eur To wet his whistle. The boat finally came
up 20 the point. the bottle was hauled up, and
he went through the motions Of drinking his
Patrons health. He now raised himself to an
upright position on the rope and continued at
lIyelier pace until he reached the centre.
where there were no guys and his step was
very cautious until he passed the Rubicon of
the stayleSs rope, and marched boldly up the
ascent OF the rope with great case, and in a mo-
ineit NOR o vas on terra fTDsa. The band
struck up lively airs, the people loudly cheered,
and the bubble was broken-the great feat ac-
c"mPli.hed, and the crowd satisfied, as very
les waited to see him recross, many expressing
the remark. it was enough for one day.
hen he started he was compelled to descend
q deefIvity on the American aud an ascent of
great height on the Canadian side of the river,
tor, despite the power Of the windlass the rope
Gagged fully sixty feet His appearance on the
rope when about the middle, until he arrived
on the opposite shore, was most singular; he
looked more like a naked child of about ak
old than full-sized man, and his walking up
the ascent like cat making as rapid tracks
along fence with a brick coming in the rear.
IA could be. :
There are various reports Of his doing won
derful things that he did not do, such ms walk
ing Sithous the balance pole, turning over on
the repe, etc. For such rumors you must make
hoerai allowance, as there were other things
soid on the ground besides mineral water. To
say tAat VI Blondin was frisky and full Of an
Ties lsJuSt about as absurd; on the contrary, he
wasvey cautious indeed, he laid on his back,
stood sin striking posture on one foot, and
hauled the bottle from the boat; these are the
only feats he did perform, beyond the walk
across. The simple feat Of walking, notwith-
standing the large number of stays, was truly
! :reat in that particular line. Just think of q
rpe suspended 2i5 feet in the air, and n walk
er il about 500 feet, and you have an idea OF
NJ; he accomplished. ACORN.