Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1860-07-26
BlOndin, the Tight. Rope Walker.


account Of his latest visit 10 Niagara from which
We extract the following account of The tight.
rope performance of Monsieur Blondin
" As we approached Niagara, the printed
advertisements, distributed through the cars.
informed US that Monsieur BIondln was 10 walk
the rope across the rapids that afternoon-an
unexpected sigh, for which we determined icS
expedite our dinner and defer the eontempla- |
lion of The cataract.
We joined The crowd toward the show in the |
middle OF the afternoon aud entered the encio- |
sure at The republican end of the rope (lhe
other end of course being in her Majesly's do.
mlnions) for the accommodation of The more |
privileged spectators. There was great rush
al The entrance, and we had some trouble to
guard the ladies who were with us against the
rudeness OF two or three well-dressed men, VIII
thought must have been dining too freely
explained aflerward By the tact that their UNI
necessary elbowing and crowding were merely |
to call OF attenlion while they picked my COM
panion's pocket! The wallet which they stole
(mlnus $500 and some private papers which il
conlained) was found the next morning under
tho Suspension Bridge, near by.
A band of music was out.playing the roar efl
Niagara very vigorously, and in front of the
raised seats, stood rough board shaDty which
was TO be the dressing room OF the performer
and, reaching from this TO the rope, was a fen
ced-In-way, at the extremity of which, near
the brink Of the precipice, | succeeded in get
ting the most favorable stand. The view of
The fearful rapids below; the occasional passing
OF railroad train across the chasm by that mi
racle OF mechanic ingenuity, the Suspension
Bridge; the sublime scenery Of the opposite
shore. and the comments of the surrounding
crowd, help..d to while away the hour or two
OF expectation, under very hot sun.
Retiring TO his shanty for minute or two,
after all was arranged, his reappearance was
announced BY grand utmost-iania from The
band and forward came Tacumseh with high
crown OF many colored feathers on bis head
not with slow pace, as would be expected
from Indian Chief. but dancing jig all the
way TO the precipce. 1t was curious however,
10 see that The smile on his lip, aud his other
signs of merriment for many, were altogether
mechanical aud arliiicIsl. while the closely
compressed eyelid through which bis keen blue
eye wac hardly visible, showed the inner minds
utter absorption aud concentration in the work
he had to do.
| The rope was dra wn from shore 20 shore eight
hundred teet across aud two hundred and fifty
feet high over the Niagara rapids--a perilous
bridge tor human feet TO walk took hold of
his arm as he stood trying the rope. for mo-
menl, with the ball Of his foot 1t was like
bunch of iron wire, wholly unimpressible. And
away lie went---his mocassined feet hugging
the two sides Of the swsying cable, his balance
pole playing up and down, and his little figure
gradually diminishing as he walked steadily
on and reached the middle of the chssm, where
he proceeded TO stand on one leg and hold the
other GOT at right anglesl The spectators Of
course were all brealhlessly silent--ihough
nd h~a. al - sr.E So feo~
ward, than to see done. He did il with SO much
apparent ease and certainty that il was like
seeing bird fly or a spider walk the ceiling
not to be wondered at for that kind of creature.
| am inclined to think it would befnore start.
ling (better enabling Que to imagine himself in
the performers place) If he were 70 do II in
common clothes.
Looking scarce larger than a butterfly as he
reached the opposite shore, Blondn remained
4 fifteen or twenty minutes out OF sight, and then
the plslol was fired TO announce his RETURN
He came quietly on TO the center, where he
stopped 10 liz down at full length on The rope,
and execute various postures and gymnastics
and between this and hIs reaching our shore
again, tie made several pretended trips, as il
losing his balgnce--lhe screams sfthe alright
ed ladies' at this very comically varying the
tune which was endeavored by the band.
IL as hc SahhS UP thc ntaut VI TUG Eupo uHuu
, | cav that his lips were tightly drawn togethel
r and bis features were rigIdly Sc, with the men.
/, tai exertion, and it was an expression of face
/ that would be worth painting as type Of de-
termined will. Through ali the anxiety of q
\ spectators suspense, could not help admiring
the little man exceedingly, and was the frs
d to give him hand when he stepped on the cliff
IL was colds clammy grip that he gave me il
a return, and his fingers felt icy and wet Ever
Q body who could reach him gave him a shake q
e the hand on bis way to the shanty, and the en-
J. thusasm for him seemed universal. And thu
q ended - the chow of human life put fearfully Il
+ peril"
e Mr.. Dloudin, was afterwards told, has
st wife and several children, and resides at Mag
ii ara, having adopted itas his theatre of perform
70 aRce. Ills professional profits amount to te
thousand dollars year"