The Morning herald., 1876-06-23
A Lady to Cross Niagara on a Single
Rope.

The great sensation of the present day in
the amusement world is the projected trip
across the Niagara River of young lady,
lately arrived from Europe, and known as
Signorina Maria Spelterini. The young ar
tiste arrived in New York about two months
ago, and has since been making preparation
to accomplish the feat that gave Blondin a
world v ide reputation. During her stay in
this city, Spelterini gave two representa-
tions in Jsnes' wood, and performed feats
Oh tie high rope 100 feet above the ground
thss III once convinced the spectators OF her
per- Il right to the ecomiums she has re
ceived from the European press. Some
we'll known managers who were present at
her initial performance freely expressed the
opinion that she excelled in grace and daring
any aptfste that has ever visited this coun
try. A reporter paid Mile. Spelterini visit
Yesterday afternoon, and in course OF q con
versation learned the following facts:
She was born in Livorno, Italy, and made
her first appearance in public with her
fathers company when she was three years
of age. She performed until she reached
the age of ten upon the tight rope and then
commenced the slack wire and the rolling
oAAo
brilliant success, performing two years in
Berlin and Vienna. In 1871 she went to
Russia and made such grand success upon
the high rope that she adopted that branch
of her profession entirely and gave it her
sole attention. She is gifted with wonderful
nerve, combined with cool daring, and du
ring her entire career has never made =
single mistake, although on several occa-
sions she was only saved from accident by
great presence of mind. 1873, when per-
forming in the Surrey Gardens. London, on
the day on which the Alexandra Palace was
destroyed by fire, she was standing on theI
platform waiting to perform her act, when
the rope broke and the shock threw down
the pole on the other end. The one
supporting the platform on which she
stood rocked violently as her assistant was
jumping about to throw himself off, but she
caught him by the hair of the head anG
made him stand still until assistance was
brought, and they both landed on terra
frma safe and sound. On one occasion,
when performing at night in Jersey at q
height of 1875 feet over the bay, violent
thunder storm arose, frightening everybody
in the vicinity, but she went through her
performance with the tightening flashing
all around her and never for a moment lost
her presence of mind. Last year, at Oporto,
she was advertised to carry boy across on
her back, distance of 200 feet, about
eighty feet from the ground. The boy dis
appointed her and she carried her brother
across, gentleman weighing ITO pounds
Speaking of Niagara, the Spelterina does
not regard the feat as anything extraordl-
nary, as walking across the river does not
display the artiste's nerve half as much as
the performances that she proposes to give
on the rope. If sufiicionO strain can be got
on the rope SO as to stretch 1t tolerably
straight she will be able to give her entire
repertoire, and, in any case, If the rope can
be properly guyed, she will perform isome
ten or twelve different acts.
The rope is now being manufactured IN
this city, and when completed will measure
1000 feet and weigh 1,70O pounds. 1t will
REQUIRE 1000 pounds weight of guys to
keep 1t fairly steady. The rope will be
stretched across the Niagara Rapids about
200 feet below the Railroad Suspension
Bridge, and 300 feet on each bank of the
river will be enclosed and arranged with
seats for the accommodation Of the specta
tors. The Erie, New York Central, Great
Western, Canada Southern and ether roads
will run trains at excursion rates to accom-
modate the visitors anxious to pay visit to
the Falls and see woman cross the rapids
on rope, feat never before attempted.
The first performance will be given on July
1, Dominion Day, at 4 P. NJ, and the Sec
ond at the same hour on July 4, in honor
of the Centennial celebration. The Spelter
ini and her brother left last night for the
international Hotel, where she will remain
during her stay at Niagara Falls.