Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-09-06
Blondin and Farini ut Niagara.

The Buffalo Express of the Goth ultimo re-
counts the feats of the rival rope-walkers over
the Niagara river, as follows:
The announcement that these notorious indi-
vidusls would each carry 2 man upon their re-
spective backs over their respective cables,
drew a crowd to the Falls yesterday. At least
one Thousand persons went from this city.
Blondin performance was witnessed by, we
should say, four thousand people, stationed
within his enclosures on the American and
Canadian sides, and upon the bridge.
Precisely at four o'clock the Frcnchman
made his appearance, and ran out upon his
rope. Having proceeded perhaps two hundred
feet, he commenced u series Of gymnastic ex-
ercises that We venture to say no other man in
the world would dare attempt. First he lay
full length upon the rope; then he turned
number of back somersaults 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 were performed with
amazing rapidity-a rapidity that was fearful
TO witness, or would have been, but for the per-
feet self-pOssessiOn that was apparent in every
motion.
Having reached the centre Of his rope, Blon-
din 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 a permanent fixture at that
point. This swing hangs about thirty feet be-
low the cable. Here he set himself whirling,
making eighteen revolutions in about as many
seconds, and performing various other sur
prising feats, concluding and climaxing the
whole by hanging to the swing with his head
downwards. He then ascended to the cable
picked up his pole, and trotted to the Canada
side. The time occupied in the whole journey
was little over fifteen minutes.
After a 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. Consider
ing the fact that Mr.. Colcord weighs one hun
dred and forty-fve pounds, and that Blondin
himself weighs but one hundred and twenty
fys, it may be imagined that he had a pretty
good load TO carry. 1t was perfectly wonderful
to witness the ease with which Blondin achieved
this most difficult and dangerous undertaking
COlcOrd left his perch-we cannot think of
better word-but twice during the entire walk
and then merely stood upon the rope for half q
minute or so, for the purpose If " Strengthening
out" In exactly fourteen minutes from the
time they left the Canada shore they were re-
ceived upon the American side with the hearty
plaudits of the assembled thousands.
Farini started with his mana Canadian by
the name of McMullen-at five o'clock. He
entered upon his task with evident fear and
trembling, and proceeded with it in bungling
and awkward manner. Having gone about
fifty feet, he compelled his animate load to de-
scend from his position, stretch out its respec-
tive legs, place its hands upon his shoulders,
and trudge along after him. 1t was carry and
unload, unload and carry, for three-quarters
of an hour that be occupied in his /" perform
snce'-which is acknowledged by all to have
been an exceedingly sorry one. 1t was wit
messed by less than fifteen hundred persons.
Farini may have pluck, but he lacks tact and
experience. He may aspire to be called the
rival Of BlOndin, but at present he must con-
sent to be known merely as his imitator.