Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1859-07-16
rtJE GREAT BLONDIN FEAT.

rHE GREAT BLONDIN FEAT.
The New York Tribune of July lst,
contains over two columns descriptive
OF the tight rope performance Of Blon-
din at Niagara. We select tlr follow
ing paragraph:
At precisely half past four o'clock,
NJ. Blondin appeared in the pleasure
garden, where the American end Of
the rope was fastened. There was a
short tight-rore erected herein, upon
which the daring Frenchman mounted
and went through many of his most
graceful and pleasing feats, to the
great admiration of the spectators. He
was dressed in dress similar to the
one frequently worn by acrobats and
public gymnasts, viz: pink tights,
buckskin moccasins, and spangled
tunic Of yellow silk; he was barehead-
ed, without even the tillet of white sat
in that is frequently worn.
At Is minutes past s he stepped up
on the large rope, where he converscd
few minutes with his friends in the
most cool and unconcerned manner,
having apparently no more doubt of
his successfully accomplishing this un-
dertaking than he had of attempting
it. As he stood for minute on the
rope, before stepping out, he addressed
the crowd as follows:
"Gentlemen, any one what please to
across, l carry him on my back"
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 rap
idly and firmly, as if he had been on a
bridge, until he chose to stop to in
dulge in some gymnastic evolu,ions for
few minutes. lie balanced himself
on one leg, sat down, and lay down on
the rope at full length, then, recover
ing 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 if it was
a solid platform, he deliberately low.
cred a small line to the little steam
boat, the 'tsMaid Of the MIST" that had
steamed out to that. point; to the line
was attached bottle Of wine by the
captain Of the boat, and the bottle be.
ing drawn up by the adventurcr, he
opened it, and, making a comprehen,
sive bow to both crowds on the sides
of the river, he drank the health of all
present; then throwing the bottle into
the river, he walked on, stopping no
more until he reached the Canada
shore. He was exactly nineteen min.
ntes crossing the river, including stops.
On his, arrival at the Canada shore he
: was cheered vociferously. He waited
here about half an hour, when he pre-.
pared to return: At.6:42 he stepped
; on the rope to commence his return
passage. He rested but once, laying
:. down on the rope for two minutes, and
!; accomplishing the return trip in eight
minutes, g4 -s..r5..lgaf y. tng ats mn
I As soon as he reached the shore
q the cheers and shouting were almost
|deafening. M. Blondin having beer
permitted an instant for rcfreshment
was seized by the enthusiastic crowc
and placed on their shoulders and
borne in triumph. He was then placee
in a carriage and escorted through al
the principal streets of the village, ths
= crowd thronging him OH all sides, ant
cheering in the widest manner. H.
did not appear very much exhausted
and manifested no more fear or nerv
). BUSINESS than any ungymnastic novice
{ would at eating his breakfast. III
announces his discrimination to repea
his feat at intervals during the summer
Thus was successfully accomplished
tone fthe most daring and useless feat
that even this fast age has ever wit
messed. 80 Z. s.2il7s i al.a h,.t.
1s'.a REJOlClNGS AT MILAN. eagE
Russell, the celebrated correspond
ent Of the London Times, writes from
Milan under date Of June S, a brillian
account Of the rcjoicings at that capi
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