Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-09-26
A FRIGEpFUI SCENE.

The London papers contain accounts Of au
exhibition at Cremorne, on Monday evening,
the ~ ultiml. A female Blondin had been en-
gagged to cross the Thames on tight rope fl ON
the gardens. 1t is said that the actual span of
the river at this point is two thousand feet wide,
while the height of the rope from the water
varied from fifty to one hundred feet I'm
mense crowds had collected to witness the feat,
and the artistic when she made her appearance
was received with loud bursts of applause.
Two-thrds of the distance had been accom-
plished with apparent ease and certainty, when
the performer stopped to rest on one of the
main supporters Of the rope. She remained so
long that apprehension of a contretemps began
to spread Nor were they groundless, for at
tempts were made by attendants on shore and
in boats to tighten the remaining six or seven
hundred feet of rope. For very great part of
this formidable length no guy-ropes were to be
seen There were tales of the ropes having
been cut in the course of the preceding night
for the sake of the weight by which the main
cord was or should have been made steady.
On the other hand, it was alleged that these
weights or guys had never been put up
After sitting wearisome length OF time on
the narrow ledge on the summit OF the timber
support, the performer essayed to advance.
She very soon found the task too dangerous,
time from her first arrival at this point to her
finally quitting it was full three-quarters of an
hour. Again the female Blondin set forth, and
at this time made so much progress that when
she hestated for the second time it had become
nearly impossible for her to recede. This she
nevertheless attempted to do under the greatest
difficulties. The rope swayed like garden
swing. Cries were raised for line, and when
one was brought efforts were made to throw 1t
over the cord on which the poor creature was
endeayoring to maintain her balance.
The excitement became general and soon
grew into alarm. For awhile many pacified
their fears with half suspicion that the danger
was only acted but its reality soon became ap-
parent. Twilight was deepening, and in little
time she would be unable to see the rope.
Having stood for ten minutes or longer, unde-
cided to attemp a retreat or an advance, the fe-
male Blondin sat down on the rope, and bal
anced her pole across her knees. Renewed
efforts were made to throw cords over the main
rope. but unsuccessfully. At length an outcry
was made that she was going to fall. At that
moment she renquished her pole, which came
splashng down among the boats below. In
another she was clnging by her hands, now to
the "tight" rope, now to compile of weights,
and now to the cords by which part OF the rope
was held in perfect steadiness. The courage
displayed by her at this period was truly ad-
mirable. Descending by the grasp OF three
quarter inch cord, or mere whale-llne, in TACT,
this daring imitator of the "Hero OF Niagara"
reached in safety boat which had been rowed
TO her rescue. On reaching the boat she was
loudly cheered, and received quite an ovation
on her return to the gardens, where she lamen-
ted with tears her not having completed task
which she felt thoroughly competent to perform.
Her hands, it is stated, were severely cut by the
line which had afforded her the means Of es-
cape.