Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-19
Monsieur Blondin Wheels his Barrow across
the Niagara &C.

Several causes combined to render yester-
day gala day at the Falls. The severe
heat drove many thither from the city. The
hose companies, excursions from this city T..
the wOman's rights convention, and more
crossing the river by his own road and pri-
waite conveyance, these drew people together
from all quarters.
At three o'clock p NJ, Mons Blondin APP
peared in front of the Falls Hotel lie took
carriage, in which, with his little buggy
and two gentlemen friends, he rode about the
village awhile. and then proceeded to the
river side and entered the enclosure. His
wife soon came, and entered the grounds also.
At little after four, NJ Blondin began n
series OF interesting performances on the
slackrope in the groves. These were c0ntn-
ued till quarter before five, when he ap-
peared at the end of the rope on the Amer
lean side, to the great relief OF the specta-
tors who had melted in the sun for two hours.
The rope occupied its former position: Nj.
Blondin was dressed in his former style OF
body tights lie passed down the cable
backwards, carrying his balancing pole
About 200 feet from the embankment he
paused, sat down, arose again, proceeding,
passed a little beyond the centre, paused, sat
down. Then holding his hat uloft, Capt
T,avis, who was stationed upon the Maid OF
Mist, about 800 feet above point beneath
the cable, shot at it with II rifle. 1t is no1
known whether he hit the target or not. NJ
Blondin. arising, passed on; at about ~
feet from the opposite embankment paused.
sat down and laid down upon the rope. lie
did not pause again until he had gained solid
footing, and was borne with cheers 10 ms
carriage. The heat was very oppressive, the
thermometer standing ut . deg in the shade
The feat was more wonderful SINCE II was
performed backward, aud in the short space
of Is minutes, including all stops.
After refreshing himself with his friends,
NJ. Blondin appeared again at the rope al
half past five. But this time he WAS clad in
dark habiliments with IL false lace, and
very much resembled Il monkey. lie pro
ceeded directly across the river, without once
hating until he gained land. lie had to be
more cautious, and consequently slower
The whole time employed was ten minutes
The wheel-harrow is slender, made mostly
of half inch whitewood. and nailed with small
brads. The wheel is fifteen inches in diam.
tttT, anu ~ lts circumference ibut lh'h''
thick. 1t is carved out in the centre in the
representation Of spukes, and is groyed upon
the circumference to the depth OF three iii
ches. The axel is OF wood, and ut its end
no more than half IN inch in diameter. -
The arms of the barrow are four feet long
made OF inch board and are bent upward
from the box, to which they are attached al
the sides. The box is fourteen inches wide
at the top, about three feet long, and at the
bottom sixteen inches. The tops Of the sides
are irregular, slipping toward the centre and
the ends. The whole box is made Of hnli
inch stuff, except the ends, which are MI incl
thick, and nailed with small brads. TIL,
whole conveyance would not weigh more
than twenty pounds. and thirty pounds
would likely break box, arms or axel.-Bnt
| inLn Ilurier