Year: 1871

The Flying Trapeze In the Air.


From the New York World.


READING, Pa, Sept, 7.-One of the
most extraordinary and almost incredible
exhibitions of human intrepidity and
daring was last Monday, the 4th inst,


witnessed by the citizens of this place.
1t seemed to me TO equal if not surpass
in thrilling and painful interest anything
ever attempted by Sam. Patch of Blondin
in their widest efforts. An individual
named Donsldsou-s tight-rope walker and


magician" as he styles hImself-who
had on the previous Wednesday made
balloon ascension in the ordinary way
(the first balloon ascent of any kind he had
ever made in his life), repeated his per-
formance on Monday last, but this time
with no basket attached TO his balloon
nothing whatever, in fact. but common
trapeze. Upon this be seated himself
with the greatest GOODNESS and composure,
and went floating away into space, to the
astonishment of the large crowd which had
gathered to see him; but few cheers greet
ing him, as the spectators seemed SPELL
bound with fear and apprehension. After
ascending q considerable distance he COM
menced throwing out number of circu-
lars which he had attached to little hoop
below the balloon, and which, in the
clear atmosphere, appeared like twink
ling stars surrounding the balloon, pro-
ducing q most novel and pleasing effect.
But this was nothing to what followed. At
the height of some three hundred feet
he commenced balancing himself on his
bach, on the bar of the trapeze, and 60
ing through other fearful evolutiOns.
He then deliberately slid from the bar
head downward, and, catching himself by
the feet, remained suspended for several
seconds in that awful position The ap-
palling sight was one never to be forgot
ten by those who witnessed it. A thrill
and a low mulmur of horror passed
through the immense multitude, who were
looking on with the inteDsest interest,
and many hurried away from the sight
giddy and faint. The daring aeronaut,
however, went through his evolutions
successfully, and, regaining his seat,
went soaring rapidly and steadily
upward. When at the height of three
quarters of mile, he had the astounding
nerve to repeat his performance, which,
at so great q distance, could only be
clearly visible by the aid of glasses.
What made this ascent all the more haz-
aIdous is that the balloon is a very small
one, carrying but little ballast, and moth
ing but a light anchor attached to the
hoop.


am glad to say that the aeronaut COM
pleted his voyage safely, although he
once or twice seemed to be in consider
able danger. The trapeze struck the
roof of Henry Conrsd's residence, on
Fifth street. when Mr.. Donaldson made
q skillful leap from the trapeze and pre-
vented a collision. The balloon then
and came down again on the |
other side of the road in a field, and |
was about striking the top of tree,
when Mr.. Donaldson turned somersault |
on the trapezs rope and prevented the
bar from catching in the tree. There is |
some talk of our having repetition of |
the painful exhibition during our fair |
next week, if the authorities do not in |
terfere to prevent it. II really seems to |
me that they should, and that it is also
the duty of the leading press of the couD- |
try to denounce such reckless and unne- |
cessary risk of human life for the mere |
qualification of morbid excitement.