Year: 1871

The correspondence Of the New York
World, dated Reading, Berks county,
Pa, Sept. Z, says;


One Of the most extraordinary and
slmost incredible exhibitions of human
intrepidity and daring was last Monday
the 4th instant, witnessed by the cili.
zens Of this place. Ii seemed TO me to
equal if not surpass in thrilling and
painful interest anything ever attempted
by Sam Patch or Blondin in their wild.
est efforts. An individual named Don.
aldson--a tight rope walker and magic
ian" as he styles himscli-who had on
the previous "Wednesday made a balloon
ascension in the ordinary way (the first
balloon aseeut Of any kind he had
ever made in his liie), repeated his
performance on Monday last, but this
time with no basket attached to his bal.
loon-nothing whatever, in fact, but a
common trapeze. Upon this he seated
himself with the greatest GOODNESS and
composurc, aud went floating away into
space, to the astouishment OF the lar sc
crowd which had gathered to see him,
but few cheers greeted him, as the
spectators seemed spell bound with fear
aud apprehension After ascending to
considerable distance he commenced
throwing out number of circulars
which he had attached to little hoop
beow the balloon, aud which in the
clear atmosphere appeared like twink
ling stars surrounding the balloon, pro
du;ing a most novel aud pleasing effect,
But this was nothing to what followed
At the height Of some three hundred
feet he commenced balancing himself
on his back on the bar of the trapeze,
aud going through other fearful evolu
tions. He then deliberately slid from
the bar head downward, aud, catching
himself by the feet, remained suspend.
ed for several seconds in that awful
positionl The appalling sight was one
never to be forgotten by those who wit.
messed it. A thrill and ID low murmur
of horror passed through the immense
multitude, who were looking on with
most intense interest, and many hur
ried away from the sight giddy aud
faint. The daring eronaut, however,
went through with his evolutions sue.
cessfully, and, regaiuing his seat, went
soaring rapidly and steadily upwards.
When at the height of three quarters OF
mile he had the astounding nerve 10
repeat his performance, which, ut so
great distance, could only be clearly
visible by the aid of glasses. What
made this ascent all the more hazardous
is that the balloon is a very small one,
carrying but little ballast, and with
nothing but n light anchor attached to
the hoop.


am glad to say that the mrouaut
completed his voyage safely, although
he once or twice seemed to be in con
siderable danger. The trapezc struck
the roof of Henry Connard's residence,
on fifth street, when Mr.. Donaldson
made skilful leap from the trapeze,
aud prevented collision. The balloon
then ascended and came down again on
tho other side Of the road in a field,
and was about striking the top ofa tree
when Mr.. Donaldson turned somer
sault on the trapezo rope aud prevented
the bar from catching in the tree.
There is some talk Of our having u
repetition of this painful exhibition
during our fair next week if the author
tiles do not interfere to prevent it. It
really seems to me that they should,
and that it is also the duty of the lead
ing press of the country to denounco
such unnecessary risk of human life for
the mere qualification Of morbid excite
ment.