The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-17

ptitouu WtiS IEkafoScu I'd HgthIEE OPEN space
outside the enclosure, where all might wit
ness the ascent from the stlrt. The trapeze
bar Wts suspended ily side ropes about eight
front tho neck Of the balloon. Tied to the
hoop was. ~ suit Of thick winter clothing,
which the Trotriut, who was clad in tights,
proposed putting on when he had reached
the chilling air Of the upper regions.
d ALL being pronounced ready, Donaldson
graslRd the trapeze bar with one hand, and
ground being Embossed, it rose swiftly and
steadily upward, the intrepid man still! cling
ing by one hand to The bar. When the bal
loon had reached considerable height Dor
aldson suddenly, and apparently with little
effort, threw himself into sitting posture on
the bar, kissing bis hand to the crowd below.
a THRILLING SCENE.
Suddenly, pretending to lose his balance,
he fell backwards, sliding head downward
until he caught by bis toes on the side ropes
that suspended the trapeze bar. In this per-
ilous position he swung to and fro several
seconds time which seemed an age to the
awe-stricken crowd below. It was curious
to observe the valying emotions Of the
:cToWd-as varying as the dispositions of each
individual. Some were thrilled with admit
ration Of the courage Of the daring man
and kept their eyes riycted on him. Others,
shuddering with horror, turned away with
pallid faces and beating hearts, and covered
their eyes with their hands to shut out the
dreadful sight. Faint shricks were heard
from the ladies, and some turned to leave the
spot, but true to the Characteristic of their
sex-curiosity-concluded to take one more
look, and looking once, looked again. a
r GyMNAsTIc FEATs.
Throwing himself back in his seat on the
bar, by tremendous muscular effort the
aronaut sat astride the bar. Then began a
series Of gymnastic evolutions-balancing
himself on his back, turning over and "skin-
ming the cat" by the side-ropes. &c. Upward
grandly and steadily, rose the balloon, clcav-
ing the air like n mighty bird. At length
the 'nllooh looked like Il mere speck in tile
clouds, while the man could not be accn with
the naked eye. Opera glasses and telescopes
were brought into reqliisition, and by their
aid Donaldson could be seen still performing
his gymnastic feats. After rising to a ire
mendous height, the balloon hung for few
moments seemingly suspended In mid air,
and then sailed off in southeastern direc-
ton. y.
When the balloon was mere speck in the
distance, invisible to the naked eye and al
most through powerful telescopes, the man
with nerves Of steel and the heart Of lion
REPEATED HIS DARING TRAPEzE FEAT
Of hanging head downward, suspended by
his toes. Such scene was never before wit
messed in Norfolk, and seldom anywhere in
the world. The description Of such scene
reads like romance, hut the reality fur sur
passes the most vivid powers Of sword
painting" and we desist from the vain effort
to depict it. -. ..-.~...-r. .-..
CLOTHING HIMsELr.
When the aerial ship had reached an atti-
tude of about mile and struck the colder
current Of air, the arGnaut was observed to
climb up to the hoop and get his suit Of
thick clothes. Descending to the bar he
dressed himself, aud then resumed the gym
nastic lisplay-cXcrcising himself TO keel
warm.
RUMORS About TIE DESCENT. rs.
Those who were fortunate TO have tcie
scopes saw the balloon gradually descend
| inc. Occasionally the Ironaut would throw
| down n bag of sand to enable the balloon tC
rise, the country probably not being suited
for descent. Late in the evening it was
rumored TINT Donaldson had descended safely
near kempSville in Princess Anne county
Again, it was asserted that passengers on tn,
canal boat had seen Il man clotl,cdin "tights
standing Oh the bank and Signalling the boa
to stop, but tllat nc attention was paid to hi:
signals. At 4 late hour list night nothing
definite Lad been heard Of him, but he i
doubtless safe, and will probably return tx
the city to-day.
complimentary benefit has been rendered
Donaldson by several of the leading bushes:
men Of the city and should he return to-day
he will appear at the Opera House tonight
and give an account Of his wanderings in TIT
clouds. NORFOLK Journal.