New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-09-08
Islondin and Farini at niagara.


The Buffalo Express of the 30th instant recounts
the feats Of the rival rope-wakers over the Niagara
river as follows:
The announcement that these notorious individu-
ais would each carry man upon their respective
backs over their respective cables, drew crowd
to the falls yesterday. At least 1000 persons went
from this city. Biondin's performance was wit
messed by, we would say, 1000 people, stationed
within his enclosures on the American and Cana
dian sides, and upon the Bridge.
Precisely at 1 O'Clock the FrenChman made his
appearance, and ran out upon his rope. Having
proceeded perhaps two hundred feet, he COM
menced a series of gymnastic exercises that we
venture to say no other man IN the world would
have dared TO attempt. First he lay at full length
upon the rope ; then he turned number of back
summersets; 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 feats
where performed with amazing fapidity-a rapid
ity that was fearful to witness would have been
but for the perfect selfpossession that was appar
ent in every motion.
Having reached the center of his rope Blondn
laid aside his balance pole, placed his stomach
upon the cable, and went through the motions of
swimming. after which he descended the swing,
which is permanent fixture at that point. This
swing hangs about thirty feet below the cable.
Here he set himself whirng, making eighteen re-
volutions in about as many seconds and performed
various other surprising feats, concluding and eli
ma king the whole by hanging to the swing with
his head downwards. He then ascended to the
side. The time eceupiedin the whole journey was
little over fifteen minutes.
After delay OF about half 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. Considering the fact that Mr. Col
| cord weighs one hundred and forty-fige pounds,
and that Blondin himself weighs but one hundred
and twenty y-fve, it may be imagined that he had a
| pretty good load to carry. 1t was perfectly Won
| derful to witness the ease with which Bfondir
| achieved this most difficult and dangerous under
| taking. Colcord left his pereh--we cannot think
| of a better word-but twice during the entire
walk, and then merely stood upon the rope for hall
| minute or so, for the purpose of " Strengthening
| out In exactly fourteen minutes from the time
| they left the Canada shore, they were received
upon the American side with the hearty plaudits OF
| the assembled thousands.
Farina started with his mana Canadian by the
name of Mchiullen--at 5 O'Clock. He entered upon
his task with evident fear and trembling, and pro-
ceeded with it in bunging manner. Having gone
| about fifty feet, he compelled his animate load to
descend from its position, stretch out its respective
legs place its hands upon his shoulders and trudge
along after him. 1t was carry and unload, unloa6
and carry for the three-q quarters of an hour tina
knowledged BY all to have been an eSceedingl
sorry one. 1t was witnessed by less than fifteel
hundred persons. Farina may have pluck, but h
lacks tact and experience. He may aspire to b
called the rival Of Blondon, but at present lie mus
consent to be known merely as his imtator.
RAIN N NORTHERN LotIsIASA.-The Frankli
Sun of the 3lst says: