Year: 1859

feet in height above the, river at the brink of
the perpt ndicular part, the ground gradually
rising on both shores to about fifty feet higher
The distance across is over One-fifth OF a
mile All whe have been to the Falls, will
readily understand from our brief description
of the situation, the peculiar and exciting ma
ture of the exploit .


While waiting for Blondin, the little steamer
Maid of the Mist, with numerous passengers,
passed down beneath the cable to her wharf,
on the American shore. AT precisely five
o'clock, Mons. Blondin appeared at the cable
on the American side. From the opposite
shore he appeared like child. He is blonde
in complexion, only 140 pounds in weight,
though sinewy and agile as an athlete. His
balance pole weighs just forty-five pounds
Making his bow to the crowd with Gallo po-
likeness, amid salvo of hurrahs and bursts
of music, he stepped firmly upon the cable,
and began to descend the inclination, rapidly
at times, then slowly, until about two hun
dred feet out, when he sat down, lay at full
length upon the rope, stood upon one foot,
and performed other tricks of the rope dancer.


The rope betrayed his presence upon it by
slight tremor only. There was no swaying
Notwithstanding strong wind blew down
the gorge. When about one-fourth the way
over, he again satdewn, and waited for the
Maid of the Mist to come up beneath him,
when ne dropped cord to her deck, and
drew up small bottle of wine, which he
drank, then cast the empty bottle away and
continued his course, The sun was glowing
and fervid, and he advanced directly towards
it, which was a serious embarrassment as it
dazzed his eyes. He was dressed in flesh
colored tights, and his girdle and coronet, of
glittering PASTE shone in the sunlight with
extreme brillancy.


AS he gradually approached the Canadian
shore, he grew into mans proportinns. He
stepped along firmly and calmly, and came
rapidly to the shore, where he was greeted
with cheers, and conducted to platform ad-
jacent, where most of the Buffalo represent
atlves of the press were seated. He partook
with his friends of refreshments furnished by
Mr.. Kavanaugh, of the Great Western Ho-
tel, and then addressed the crowd stating
that collection would now be taken up for
him, when he would return across the cable
He was received with the utmost enthusiasm,
the daring exploit safely over, and appeared
as cool and unconcerned as though the feat
was of ordinary moment. He was fifteen
minutes crossing, including all stops after
leaving shore. After about half an hours
delay, he again appeared, and stating that
he would cross quicker than any one could
60 round by the bridge, boldly set out on his
return. Going oack was easier than coming
as he had the sun behind him, instead of
glowing in his eyes. He stopped only twice
returning, and was but seven minutes from
ban to bank. The echoing cheers testified
to the feeling upon his safe return from feat
perilous in the extreme, despite the seeming
safety and ease with which Mons. Blondin
performs it.


The exploit will be repeated on Monday af.
ternoon, and those who desire to witness one
of the most thrilling sights in the world will
have an opportunity, and holiday for that
purpose.-BufaLo Com.