Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-09-07
Blondin and Farini at Niagara.

The Buffalo Express, of the Both inst, re-
counts the 4eats of the rival rope walkers over
the Niagara rivers follows
The announcer ent that these notorious i'll
1ividuals would each carry man upon their
rcspeetixes backs ever their rsspccfive cables
drew crewd to The Falls yesterday At
least 900 persons went from this city. B!on-
din's performance was witnessed by, We should
say, 4,0oo people, stationed within his enclos-
ures on the A naerican and Canadian sides, ard
upon the Bridge.
Precisely at four O'Clock the Frepchman
made his appearance, and ran out upon bis
rope. Having proceeded perhaps two hun
dred feet, he commenced a series OF gymnastic
exercises that we venture TO say no other man
in the world would have dare attempt. First
he lay at full length upon the rope; then he
turned number of back sumersets then he
hung by both feet then by one foot; then by
one leg crooked at the knee joint then he
stood upon his head. These fcats were per-
formed with amazing rapidity-a Fapdity that
was fearful to witness or would have been but
for the perfect self-poscssion that was apparent
in every motion.
Having reached the centre of his rope. Blon-
din laid asi,ie his balance pole, placed his stom-
ach upon the cable and went through the mo-
tions of swimming, after which he descended
the swing, which is permanent fixture at that
point. This swing hangs about thirty feet be-
low the cable. Here he set himself whirling.
making cightren revolutions in about as many
seconds, and performed various other surpris-
ing feats, concluding and clilnaxing the whole
by hanging to the swing with his head 'wn-
wards. He then asccnded TO the cable. picked
The time occr pied irf the whole Journey was q
little over fifteen minutes.
After a delay of about halt an hour, which
was mainly occupied in adjusting the guys,
Monsieur Blondin made his appearance on the
Canada end of the cable bearing his agent,
Mr.. Harry Colcord upon his back. Consider
ing the fact that Mr.. Colcord weighs one hun
dred aud forty-fve pounds, and that Blondin
himself weighs but one hundred and twenty
| FIVE, it may be imagined that he had a pretty
| good load to carry. It was perfectly wonder
iul to witness the case with which Blondin a.
chieved this most difficult and dangerous IN,
dertaking. Colcord left his perch-we cannot
think of a better word-but twice during the
entire walk, and then merely stood upon the
rope for half MINUTE or so, for the purpose
of Strengthening out" In exactly fourteen
minutes from the time they left the Canadian
shore, they were received upon the American
side with the hearty plaudits of the assembled
thousands.
Farina started with his man-a Canadian
by the name of .McMullen-at five o'clock
He entered upon bis task with evident fear and
trembling, and proceeded with it in a bungling
manner. Having gone about fifty feet, he COM
PEELED his animate load to descend from its po-
sition stretch out its respective legs, place its
hands upon his shoulders and trudge along af-
ter him. 1t was carry and unload, unload and
carry for the three quarters of an hour that he
occupied in his performance. which is ac-
knowledged by all to have been an exceedingly
sorry one. 1t was witnessed by less than fifteen
hundred persons. .Farina may have pluck, but
he lacks tact and experience. He may aspire
to be called the rival of Blondin. but at pres
ent he must consent to be known merely as his
! imitator.