The weekly union record., 1865-07-29
The Yankee Blondin at Niagara.

ara NS> Sl 1 daf>laN ANSltSitflSfN lnIu-afatcu
BY the successful debut Of Harry Leslie the
American Blondin. who demonstrated The per
fiction Of rope walking science aud The bound
lessress OF ProvidenJial t,E 5eaTauce hy cross
ing and re-crossiug the irighla chasm Of
Niagara river. Immediately below the suspea.
sion bridge. The number oi spectators present
on the Canadian side was estimated at six
thousand. Early 10 the forenoon a drenching
rain set in, with every indication Of centin-
uance through the day. and it vss generally
believed that Lessie's performance must un-
aveidaby be pcs poned 10 consequence. How.
ever, the vast company we're not to be frastra-
ted in their designs. aud daGnllsSSly breasted
the torrent Of rain. Shortly before o'clock-
in the afternoon the rair storm ahated. and the
appearance Of patches OF blue sky gave PROM
ise OF sufficient cessation 10 permit the rope
walking exhibition. aud the crowd rapidly
concentrated iu the vicinity Of the bridge
Leslie bad stretched bis rope across the river
at about the location selected by Blondin in
his second season, point some six hundred
feet below the bridge. over the first Of the ter
rife rapids commencing at that place. has
span OF about eight hundred feet, and prob
ably an elevation OF two hundred feet from the
wafer. The surge Of the cuFren, at this point
is tremendous. having powerful effect upon
thG lGStAttT ol tue ti iiNt IT Uauh>. aHl tt-
feat OF crossing the seelhing abyss upon a sin.
gle rope must be considered the acme of fool.
hardness The line is about four inch
Manila, and is strayed by eighty gnys, twenty
leuding from a side TO each bank. an open
space of about thirty feel occurring in the
center The heavy ram during The day had
contracted lbe tackle to high degree and the
rope had but little sway, g third of the length
beng nearly horizontal.
Leslie is about twenty eight years Of age.
five feet eight inches high rather slight in
build, but light and agile, and possessed Of
great nerve and muscle. A 5:32 he emerged
from the stand on the American side. immedi.
ately clearing perpendicular precipice Of over
two hundred feet, and bis wife was observed
to take her position at the eud Of the rope and
watch his procress with intense interest.
Amid the grandeur of the surrounding scenery,
the daring adveaiurer seemed like liiputian
upon the airy course, and lis appearance was
the signal for sudden seuce only disturbed
by the roar OF the restless waierS benea'h. He
proceeded slowly and cautiously. aud when
about one fourth of the distance sat down
upon the rope aud rested a few seconds.
Again resumlng his journey, be was noticed to
hesitate at intervals as it laiigued, but after
passing the center space he stepped very regu.
larly aud without hesitation until the stand on
the Canada shore was gained A loud cheer
greeted the success OF The feat, which was
taken up along the bridge to the American
bank, and The bands again struck up music.
The time occup ed in crossing was six minutes
and forty eight seconds
Leslie appeared quite cool and cheerful on
his arrival, rema' kIrg that he was entirely at
home on the rope, but complained that the
r-Dgcual cfrai, oF 10 IA, Of
the rain had rendered he undertaking extra
perllons, and great difficulty was experienced
IN getting the right step in crossing the fasten-
ing. After brief rest on the Canadian side.
employed in a familiar chat. Leslie again
poised the balancing pole and started on his
return, the time being twelve minutes past FIVE
o'clock. He proceeded down The incline with
the same cautious step manifested 10 the first
start, and evidently experienced increased dif
hcuty ID passing the guys leading from The
Canadian shore. At times he was noticed to
relrace his steps, advance ard retire several
times on approaching point where guy was
fastened, II seeming 10 require great skill and
the exercise Of extreme caution against sud-
den Jog of rope liable al these roiais A
short distance out he performed the feat Of
standing on bis left foot placing he ball Of
his right against the left knee. Gaining the
center of the ne. be laid down upon his back
exhibited his expert balancing powers by re-
gaining his feet II a quick and graceful man.
ner. On reaching The opposite incline, as
usually noted in the performance of rope walk.
ers he lost no further time. bnt proceeded
rapidly to the bauk. The time occupied in
the second crossing was thirteen minutes and
twenty-five seconds THIS ended the exhibi-
tion Of the day and the successful termination
was GREETED with prolonged cheers. The gen.
eral impression seemed to he hat Leslie was
the equal of Blondin.-N Y Herald June %.