New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-16
TIGHT.ROPE.

There is passion implanted III the humap
bosom for seeing that which has been deemed
impossible, and for hearing that which mas oeen
considered incredible. Fifty years OF continu-
Gus tsble.tipping would destroy ell interest IN
that amusement, exceptthe uncomfortable inter-
est which is attached to nuisance. II ghosts
should become common, either the whole power
of human ingenuity would be exerted to Keep
them from walking, or we should no more
regard them than we do the cuts and dogs OF the
freside. When the frat man went into the
lions cage, and puffed and buiied the royal cap
tive, all the world was agape with astonishmenti
but, now that the miracle is repeated IN every
,ncnsgeric, it IA hardly considered an extraor'
binary attraction oven in the villages. 1888
Tight-rope walking has shared the usual tate
of wonders. When NJ. Blondin first per-
formed the perilous journey, pausing upon
the middle strand to fry bis omelette, with the
majestic Niagara roaring beneath him, amaze
ment filed both the American and the Euro
rran mind. But indifference soon succeeded
and then certain latent disappointment be-
Gauss tie agile man refused to tumble OF and
he killed. Imitators came fast, stretched their
ropes. paced them with confidence. cooked ONE
le;tes, and did everything which had been done
before. Bondn was a Frenehman. Our ma
tional pride was aroused, and now we havo "s
Great American Funambuist," whose vulgar,
everyday name "a Henry Leslie, who in the
very august presence of .ex-President Willard
Fillmore and LADY," has just been walking over
the Falls in a magnificent gold costume"
carrying cooking stove, cooking an omeette,
letting off fireworks, and doing and daring all
the other ropc.miracles. But the Funambulist
is fred by new ambitions, and announces his
intention Of soon walking with two pals OF
water OH his shoulders and o peach.basket at
tached to each foot" After this, We suppose
he will walk upon his head. with the American
flag waving from each boot. And then
! We shall speak plainly upon this point. The
American public is not to be bored with impnn.
ity. The great congregation of sight-eeers is
not to be trified with. After doing everything
else conceivable, We consider it duty which
the Funambulist owes to his country--to fall
from the rope Ito fall, like Icarus, perpcndicu.
lary down into the seething waters OF Niagara,
with his cooking-stove, pesch-baskets, pals,
and other apparatus, letting off Roman candles
as he descends! 1t may be objected that he
will probably be drowned. That is his bust.
ness. That, in fact, Is the important point TO
be settled for the satisfaction of the popular
mind-whether he will be drowned or not.
Mere walking has grown stale, and a restless
community must have something to bet upon.
Supcrfnous lags the veteran on The rope; let
us see how he will comport himself in the wa
ter! Should he come out drcnched and tri-
umphant, what an ovation awaits him! what
kilograms to tho newspapers!liwhat presenta-
lions of silver cups! what offers of engagements
from rival managers! Should he be drowned
but that. as We said before, is his business ror
There was once such word in the language
as foolhardy, but it has been expunged, we
take it, from "the bright lexicon" of the age.
1t is something to find even tight-rope walking
carried to perfection. 1t is something not to DO
bored. Niagara has been esteemed {" pretty
piece OF natural wonder; but there's nothing IN
it. Balloons have had their day. The dwaris
have become cheap and common. The man
4 who eats fire aud drinks poison is o hoary an
tiquity. The interchangeable Mr.. Barnum las
satiated tho curiosity Of nations, and well.nlgn
Exhausted the noble science of sight-showing.
! A man, therefore, who risks his neck to rescue
tho community from sasai and tho newspapers
from desperate dullness, may be regarded as
public benefactor, and, should he perish in hi
struggles to amuse, he will die a martyr, an'
leave behind him fair claim upon the well
.lknown monumental generosity Of the time
Tze Wo,. sayss --'s'- -
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