Rival Strong Men.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 31 December 1891, Page 2

Rival Strong Men.

«. At the South London Palace Louis Cyr, a native of Canada, and a British snbject, claimed to beat the record of both Sandow and Sampson, in feats of strength, and it may be recorded that he fully succeeded. An enormous dumb-bell was put on the scale and weighed under the scrutiny of four representatives of The People and The Sporting Life, the dumb-bell bumping down just over 1041bs. The formidable dumb-bell was grasped by Cyr, who, as he stood stripped, to the front, presented the appearance of a mountain of muscle. Slowly, fairly, and squarely, except for a very slight inclination, of certainly not more than ten degrees from the horizontal, went up the weight to the delight of everybddy but Sampson, who seemed obviously uneasy. After the next performance, the lifting of another little toy which banged on the soale 2421 b, put right up above the shoulder at the full stretch of the arms had been completed. The next feat of strength was still more surprising. A barrel of cement was put on the scale which was certified by the four referees to weigh 2801 b. Seizing the barrel with the right hand, without touching it with his left, the young giant turned it over, first on to his thigh, then on to his chest, and finally on to his shoulder, with as much apparent ease as a labourer would shoulder his hod of bricks, he walked a few steps along the stage, and was finally, but by no means hurriedly, relieved of the burden by a half dozen men. A man of the certified weight of 178 was then seized by the middle, and lifted up over the athlete's head. The Canadian champion, with the man still balancing on his hand, then laid fiat down on the stage, again brought himself to the erect position, and spun round with his burden, seeming to enjoy the waltz. Now came the most astonishing feat of all. A stout timber framework, scaling 1721b5, was placed upon trestles, and upon this was heaped, first ten big granite blocks which weighed in the aggregate 6501 b, then a second load weighing 6581 b, and finally a third load, till the total weight reached within 721 b of a ton. Putting his broad back under the timber frame, Cyr lifted the whole thrice in rapid succession, and then springing from beneath exclaimed, "Put some more on." Three men successively mounted the pile, Peter Cyr, the giant's brother, 1781 b., Harry Lupino, 1881 b., and H. Pox, of the Lupino Troupe, 1401 b., and again, the big audience holding its breath meanwhile, the mountain of muscle again stooped to the task. In the presence of the four referees, who stood at the closest quarters to see and verify the lift, up went the whole of the enormous load, clearing by fully an inch all the four corners of the frame, and a tremendous outburst of applause testified the astonishment ox" the »reat company at this incredibfe lift, which totalled 2,6191 b., ot^fldlb. )ver the ton. He has a fine round, >pen, and pleasant countenance, is 28 years of age, and hardly looks it. 3e weighs 225t., and measures 51$ in :ound the chest. — People. "A EJRTfojF FOR THE GODS," so aithjjhe gjvat Prophet— Mohomet, when aking h*» cap of coffee under the fig trees, f you would enjoy suoh, drink Crease's Al toffee. Sold only n 1 and 2lb tins. THERE IS ONE THING every houserife should know, and that is— Hercules Jaking Powder is the best. Why ? It ia he cheapest because it is the best for naking bread, pastry, cakes, pnddings, con&s, <fee. In 6d and Is tine.