BLONDIN IN QUEENSLAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 302, 7 September 1874, Page 4

BLONDIN IN QUEENSLAND.

Speaking oF BlondioV first night performance in The Brisbane Botanic Gardens, tbe Courier says; — The number who paid for -admission was upwards of three thousand, bat there was no diminution of the crowds on tbe Kabg&rob Point heights, or in other places wbere tbe performance could be viewed free of expense. Of the performance itself it is almost impossible to speak in adequate terms without hei^og . accused of using the language of hyperbole. Jt was in a great many respects Yar more effective than when seen by daylight, __d of course increased risk gave a greater zest to tbe enjoyment pf the spectators. Blondin went tbrdugh sll- the most hazardous of 'the 1 feats' Which have gained bitn fame, and, exhibited the same nerve, or rather want of nerve, as if a noonday sun was beaming overhead. The appladse'wlth which be was rewarded was of cpurse immense. Inconsequence of the exceedingly bright moon-light, the lißoe^ligbt did not show to so much adwj't^pi,; but ;i every . action of the performer could be vividly seen by tbe n-qat distant pf the spectators. Tbe display pf fireworks was very beautiful. The appearance of Blondin on the rope wjieefioga small barrow/ul of explosives, w,hicb kept up a constant fire of variegate^ missiles, was most picturesque, afld provoked enthusiastic applause. The Brisbane Courier, in reporting Blondjn's performances on a tight rope, eighty feet above the ground, says: — As a preparation for the next act (as it may be termed), he openly blindfojdpd^himself, and to make assurance doubly sure, put a heavy sack right over bis. head and shoulders. All. these preparations were made in foil view of the spectators, on a little platform at one end of the rope. The rope is raised about three feet above tbia platfortn, and the performer had next in his blindfolded condition to make his way on it as best he could. This was, Hfcwevfer, : successfully accomplished, tt_d 'thefn- commenced his perilous journey. How he can accomplish it safely bf bourse no one but Mr Blondin himself ; knows ; but it is altogether above our comprehension. At the very outset Jbe made, what appeared to be two or three false steps, but what were, in reality, only feints calculated to show hia -'wonderful confidence in his power*. The two first were plain enough, and caused no great excitement, but tbe last one, when his foot altogether lost j the rope", and he came down at full length, caused a sensation to run through tbe 'assemblage tbat they will not soon forget. In a moment, however, be was again on hia legs, balancing his immense pole, add started ,at almost a run, keeping, however, striot time to f>*s® "jjwic. On reaching tbe opposite end, and on removing bis covering he received a volley of applause, which, however accustomed, must have been none the less gratifying. The next feat was one no less wonderful, "although perhaps, not qnite so hazardous. This consisted in strapping on £ief back a small iron stove, witb all its j 'ntensils and appliances, which" he I •carried to about midway on the rope. After carefully placing it in position he went through (he usual preparations for commencing to cook. He carefully swept the stove with the broom attached, washed his dishes, lit his fire, and ; i mixed bis omelettes ie a most business- ! jfiko ['s&• 7 .He then put them on a pan, ; J^co&e^them, and sent them down ; , below to be partaken of by any visitor ; desirious of testing his culinary powers, j As may be supposed, the applause of; the spectators was immense. Tbe sue- ; * ceeding performance, however, was the ' most wonderful, as it certainly was tbe most dangerous of any he attempted. Taking up an ordinary chair, he carried it to the centre of the rope and balanced it. He then sat down on that chair! I and leaned on each side. Next he! L balanced the chair on one leg, audi -'deliberately got up and stood upon it.! TOar readers can imagine the extreme) difficulty of balancing a chair in such aj r bat the feat of standing on it; aittheigbt/of 80ft from tbe ground, i when auho'st a strong puff of wind .^wpuld upset it, is a risk which none buti * a mau who bad completely subdued his (> nerves could undertake. Blondin,! however, appeared to go through is with the . utmost nonchalance. After descending, he places the! chair a few feet further for--ward, and calmly climbing over tbej back, again stands on the seat. Alt this time, it must be remembered, be carries wUj» him a long pole of Americari asb, weighing folly 601bs. This fea* was rewardeld with prolonged applause] as, although perhaps not the most showy! it wss fully recognised by the spectators as tbe most dangerous of tbe perform-! ance. The carrying of a roan across ? pn his sboulderß is one of the things bas, perhaps, as much as any j 'toiQ^etse, created Blondin's fame, and of 'course it was looked out ior with j eager^expectation. In due time bis I ,M Niaud, was wjndlassed ! '"^•a^took his position on fthe hack of Itßer performer. His .ffvrng -freight seemed" tb'be no serious inconvenience, for he walked to the end of tbe rope and back wrth as much unconcern as' jf berWefe -nencombered, goin- through - <- a m€tiV funny tricks at the same iime. . %Y/}f& : and perhaps the most S<;o?' c « re «qae «* his feats, was that of _ the bycicle. This he wheeled over the rope two or. three times, going slowly, quickly, and last of all backwards, the Eyflffi *&*#*** moßt vehemently all

Corsica produoes tha largest quantity -

of wax of all countries in Europe, if not in the world. In ancient as well aB in mediaeval times, tbe inhabitants paid their taxes in wax, and supplied large quantities annually. Since wax is to honey as 1 to 15, tbe Corsicans must haye gathered each year some miiliona/ of pounds of honey. /