BLONDIN IN AUCKLAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 38, 9 February 1876, Page 4

BLONDIN IN AUCKLAND.

J (Evening Star ) , . The grand sight which • was last night afforded the pitizens of Auckland., by the Chevalier Blondin was of bo extraordinary and unique a character that it is difficult to describe it in terms sufficiently expressive of its beauty. In response to the advertisement which announoed tbat tbe great rope-walker would give one of his illuminated evening ascents, accompanied' by a display of fireworks, not less than 3000 persons had assembled wifihin the canvas walls of the gigantic enclosure in which\these startling performances take place 'by , eight o'clock, the time appointed for the commencement of the exhibition. The scene which there presented itself was of itself worth all the money to see. At the entrance a magnificent gas illumination lighted up Symonds-street for a considerable distance; the avenue to the enclosure was flanked with gas. jetsj which, as they flickered inthe wind, shed a weird and uncertain light upon the path, and encouraged the J impression that the spectator was about to be ushered iato the domain of soma magician. On entering the enclosure the impression became a belief. The .*; vast y arena was lighted up all round wiih; gas in the moet brilliant manner,, the line of jets being relieved from monotony by "four- coruscating Btars of greatilluminating power and raJiancy< The tfiir Canvas w«IIs stood white and glimmering against the dark sky above, faintly dotted; with twinkling stars, while to the westward, just peeping over the canvas, shone the pale crescent . moon, making the brightest lights b.elow look' yellow by contrast. The J thousands of expectant faces, all turned upwards and inwards, were brought into; stvpng.' relief by the flaring gas, and 'each figure could be marked dis- . . tiHctly, as well as the /varied expression ] depicted on each countenance. There waß the eager -look of the child, the pleased" but coy aspect of the maiden," both theße tinged with a timid, appre- * henriive coloring ; there was the stolid < stare of the great un washed in the rear, and well-bred nil admirari indifference of 'the iront. jAcross the wbole the rope above, stretched like a thread of silver, illuminated as it was by the limelight^ which Was arranged in one corner so as to direct its powerful rays upon, .it. , .Tlie, mise en scene was one which, viewed for the first time, is J hot likely to be forgotten by the spectator. At ten minutes past eight, Toud report of a cannon tojd the spectators that the Hero of Niagara had issued from his tent, and the next moment he might be descried in rapid ascent to his scene of operations in. the sling* of a rope, .which waa hauled by a band of sailors in true ship fashion. With the additional danger of 'their being performed in the dark, or what was worse in the blinding glare of the limelight, Blondin then went through his several feats of walking 'across the rope, running backwards arid forwards on it, lying down, standbn one leg, raising himself on one leg, pasßiug over blind-folded, and in a sack, &<?.,. &o. ,As each of these daring feats, was achieved, .tt.e performer was rapturously applauded, but the homage paid to his powers could not be -estimatedi.by the, applause, for. the -greatest oompliment was paid by those who sat as it were spellbound,, afraid to move dr speak lest they should destroy what seemed to thera a trance of fascinating etfchantmeot. During the. blind-fold passage, Blondin executed a manoeuvre which fairly sent a chill of terror through the 1 blood of those who witnessed it. Once or twice he had made a. feint at missing his- footing and several startled ." Oh's" could, be heard from the crowd, but when he had ... nearly gained the centre of his fairy bridge he not only pretended to but. really njisseJ the. rope with both feet and fell —a sharp cry of horror went up. from the. white, faces beneath and nearly everyone expected to eee his , mangled body on the sward beneath; bu^t to.the general surprise a moment later the bright stream of the lime light revealed him lying in perfect repose at full length along the rope. This clever .achievement caused a perfect thunder df applause. A performance not less startling was his appearance on ..the rope with bis body and shoulders loaded with fetters and his feet hampered with two ungainly-looking baskets of the kind used for containing Stilton cheese. It would have been difficult enough for a man thus accoutred to have walked on terra Jirma\ but how on earth anyone could cross a rope jn s.uch;''guiBe is one of those things V which no feller dan understand." The nextsenßation was the carrying- across of M.^Niand, his. secretary, on his back, 'r^itis waß apcomplished safely and with apparent ease, a pause inid/way, when the.carried gentleman waved his hat to the multitude. Now came a pause before the gtwl finale, which was 'turned to account by a flight of variegated, rockets, a succession of bombstars, and a display of fiery serpents on wire. 'This pyrotechnic exhibition was of a magnificent description, and, being Jihe firßt'tbat has been given ia public in Auckland, elicited- universal admiration.- This over, Blondin appeared on the eastern end of the rope habited in .oilskins of red and black,, and with n mask 1 or. In' his hands he held theihandleß of a barrow, of which the .wheels traversed the ropesby means of. a groove. "The balancing pole, which . was n.pt the same as he had* hitherto used, was laid across .the barrow, and with it bristled With fireworks. Propelling ittiis unwieldy rnacbiqe, Blondin qommewiqed his aerial walk, Howinuoh

more difficult this feat was 'than those preceding it may be imagined, wheu itis recollected that his control oyer the balancing pole disposed like this would be Considerably -less than when held in the hands. Arrived by slow and painful steps at the centre of the rope, Blondin halted, and applied a match to the 'fireworks on the pole and barrow — the result must be seen to be appreciated. In an instant, the "Hero of Niagara" was enveloped in a shower of golden rain, from whioh, at intervalß^hright stars shot out in all directions. The brilliant scene lasted lor fully ten minutes, during wbich Blon-* din was entirely lost to view. At tbe plose he was observed calm, and erect, with l-eis mask-removed, and bowing to his .wonder-stricken andience. This closed an entertainment, the like of which baa never been seen in Auckland before, and after Saturday next' probably will never be seen again.