The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-09-03
BLONDN AND FARM AT NIAGARA

y.
The Buffalo Express of the 30th instant recounts
the ieats of the rival rOpewalkers over the Niagara
river as follows:
The announcement that these notorious indvid-
uaIs would each carry man upon their respective
backs over their respective cables drew crowd to
the Falls yesterday. At least one thousand persons
went from this city. BlOndin's 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 Frenchman made
his appearance, and ran out upon his rope. Having
proceeded perhaps two hundred feet he commenced
series of gymnastic exercises that we venture to
say no other man in the world would dare attempt
First he lay at 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 amaz-
ing rapidity-a rapidity that was fearful to witness
or would have been but for the perfect sefposses-
sion that was apparent in every motion.
Having reached the centre of the rope, Blondin
laid aside his balancepoe, placed his stomach upon
the cable and went through the motions of swim
ming, after which he descended the swing which is
a permanent fixture at that point. This swing
hangs about thirty feet below the cable Here he
set himself whir ling, making eighteen revolutions
| in about as many seconds, and performed various
| other surprising feats, concluding and cmaxing
| the whole by hanging to the swing with his head
downwards. He then assembled to the cable picked
| up his pole and trotted to the Canada side. The
time occupied in the whole journey was lite 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-five 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. 1t was perfectly WON
| derlul to witness the ease with which BlOndn
achieved this most difficult and dangerous under
taking Colcord left his perch-we cannot think
| of better word-but twice during the entire walk
and then merely stood upon the rope for a hall
minute orso, 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 paudits of the as
| sembled thousands.
Farni started with his mana Canadian by the
name OF McMullen-at five o'clock. lie entered
upon his task with evident fear and trembling anC
proceeded with it in bungiing and awkward
| manner. Having gone about fifty feet, he com
PEELED his animate load to descend from its position
stretch out its respective legs place its hands upor
his shoulders, and trudge along after him. 1t was
| carry and unload, unload and carry for the three
quarters of an hOnr that he occupied in his "per
tormance" is acknowledged by all to have
been an exceedingly sorry one. 1t was witnessed
by less than fifteen hundred persons. Farini may
have pluck, but he lacks tact and experience. HI
may aspire to be called the rival of Biondn but a
present he must consent to be known merely as hi
imitatOr.