Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-03-22
a .u.s.vUITH .vRHV.RS OF STEEL.

Young Donaldson, the daring aeronaut,
who made Il balloon ascension at Reading,
Pa, on the Both of last August, and per-
formed series of trapeZe ieats when a
mile or more from the earth, repeated his
thrilling performance in n, rtok on Mon
day last. No basket was attached to the
balloon, but its place was supplied by a
trapeZe similar to those used by circus per-
formers, and above the trapeze was placed
q hoop, secured to which was suit of
heavy clothing TO be used by the aerial
voyager when he enc ountercd the cold cur
rents. The Norfolk Journal in describing
the ascension says that when the balloon
was released FROM its moorings and reach
ed great altitude. Donaldson suddenly
and apparently with little effort threw him
self into a sitting posture on the bar. kiss
ing his hand TO the crowd below. Sudden
~ pretending TO lose his balance. he fell
backwards, sliding head downward until he
caught by his toes ON the side ropes that
suspended the trapeze bar. In this peril
Gus position he swung to and fro several
scconds-a time which seemed an age to
the awe stricken crowd below. 1t was GU
rious to observe the varying emotions of
the crowd-aS the disposition of each indi-
vidual. Some were thrilled with admi,a-
ton of the courage of the daring man and
kept their eyes riveted upon him. Others,
sbuddering with horror, turned away with
paid faces and beating hearts, and covered
their eyes with their hands to shut out the
dreadful sight. Faint shrieks were heard
from the ladies, and some turned to leave
the spot, but true TO the character of their
-curosity-concluded to take one more
look, and looking once, looked again.
Throwing himself back in his seat on the
bar the aeronaut sat astrido the same.
Then began series of gymnastic evolu-
tions-balancing himself on horseback,
turning over and 'skinning the cat blythe
side ronag etc Inward OrauHly and
steadily rose the balloon cleaving the air
like mighty bird. At length II look ed like
a mere speck in the clouds. Opera glasses
and telescopes were brought into requisi-
ton, and by their aid Donaldson could be
seen still performing his gymnastic feats.
After rising % a tremendous height the bal
loon hung for few moments seemingly
suspended in mid air, and then sailed on
In a southeastern direction. When the bal
loon was mere speck in the distance in
visible to the naked eye and almost through
powerful telescopes, the man with nerves
OF steel and heart of a lion repeated his dar-
ing trapeze ieats by hanging head down
ward, suspended by his toes. Such a scene
was never before witnessed in Norfolk and
seldom anywhere in the world. The de-
scription of such a scene reads like n ro-
nance, but the reality far surpasses the
most vivid powers of word painting and
we desist from the vain effort TO depict II.
When the aerial ship had reached an alti-
tude of about half mile, aud struck the
colder current Of air, the aeronaut was OBJ
served to climb up to the hoop, and get his
suit of thick clothes. Descending TO the
bar he dressed himself, aud then resumed
his gymnastic Notwithstanding himself
to Aeep warm. Tho,e who were fortunate
enough to have telescopes saw the balloon
gradually descending. Occasionally the
aerOnaut would throw down n bag OF sand
to enable the balloon 10 ride-the country
L. 4 hi.
Donaldson had descended safely near
Kempsvile, in Princess Anne county,
Exchange,