BLONDIN.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 571, 18 April 1876, Page 3

BLONDIN.

Notwithstanding the fact that a very high wind prevailed, and the weather was exceedingly threatening in the way of rain last evening, the reputation of the Chevalier Blondin was sufficient to draw together the largest crowd, by many hundreds, that has yet been seen within his monster inclosure. There was something so peculiarly novel in idea of the hero of Niagara performing his the extraordinary feats upon the rope in the darkness of the night, that even those who had seen him before had fully made up their mind to see him again. When the gun fired at 8 o’clock, and the Chevalier was run up to his stage amid the music of the band and the applause of the spectators, there could not have been fewer than 4500 people present—a well deserved tribute to the marvellous skill and world wide renown of the illustrious Frenchman. It had been thought by many that in consequence of the high wind Blondin would not be able to carry out his programme; but he walked the rope as steadily and gracefully as ever; the effect upon the spectators being far greater than during the day performances. The enclosure was brilliantly lighted with gas, and the effect was considerably heightened every now and then by the sending up of rockets and the burning of different colored fires, M. Blondin did most of the acls which he has previously performed in the daytime, including that of carrying across his secretary, M. Niaud, who came in for quite an ovation. Indeed, the people throughout were very enthusiastic, and proved most inconf .stably that Blondin quite came up to, if he did not far surpass, their expectations. A new feature introduced was the walking across the rope with great clumsy baskets upon his feet, and he seemed quite as much at home as though he were walking the pavement. But the acme of excitement was reached when he passed across the roj; 2 wheeling before him a barrow, full t» repletion of fireworks, which also bristled from many parts of the Chevalier’s body. Arrived at the centre of the rope the gas was lowered and the match applied to the fireworks ; and then ensued the -finest pyrotechnical display ever witnessed in Christchurch, whicn fairly threw the audience into raptures. It was indeed a most beautiful sight, and worth all the money paid for admission. Blondin will give another grand ascent tonight, when he will no doubt be again most extensively patronised