THE AUSTRALIAN BLONDIN.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2583, 18 April 1877, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN BLONDIN.

The Australian IJlondin's perfovmanco on the rope thrown across Middle Harbor is thus described by the Sydney M orning Herald of March 30:—" A party of gentlemen were invited yesterday afternoon to have a view 1 of Mr L'Estrauge's experimental performances on the tight-rope which he had stretched from cliff to cliff at Middle Harbor. Starting from the Circular Quay at a little after 2 o'clock, an hour's pleasant steaming in the Britannia brought the party to one of the most picturesque localities that can be conceived—rvistas of forest and water, bold headlands, and sweeping bays opening put in. all directions far, and near. Great Was the .gazing ahead as the visitors approached the gorge across which the rope had been carried, and all the field-glasses on board. were constantly in requisition to discern a glimpse of the thin brown line, high in the air, along which Blondin was to pass on his perilous journey. Soon " they were close to it, hemmed in by the steep forest-covered shores, and, almost immediately, as a piece of ordnance was fired, the satisfaction was had of seeing the adventurous gymnast appearing on the south-eastern end of his hempen causeway, high, up, amongst the rocks and " trees. as he was with a pole over 601b in weight, he stepped on, at first slowly but. firmly, and with a confi-/IU-jnce that was discernible by the spectators belovv. Afterwards he walked at a : quicker pace until he arrived at an awkward place, extending nearly 20ft, where two ropes .of unequal- thickness had, been spliced. Here a slow pace was requisite, bul after passing this spot, Mr L'Estrange, thinking himself entitled to a rest*" extended himself on the rope on his back, amidst great cheering. Springing to his.feei;> the remainder of the aerial passage was accomplished with alacrity and apparent ease until the south western end of>th.erope was -approached, which, by reason of its gravitating bend, ha* there:.a visible ascent;; but the gymnast eventually passed the tops of the trees on that side, and landed on the rock to which the roje is fastened. TBus was accomplished ah extraordinary feat on the tightTope, at a prodigious height above .the. water, arid over a great distance from cliff to cliff. The."time occupied, in : eluding the rest, was about 10 r minutes.. The. party landed and clambered among the rocks, and tree^ until, they reached the fastening of the rope on.the northwestern side, of the inlet. From this spot a pictures.que view was: obtained of the surrounding;scenery, and of -the-great curvature in the rope, with its 16 guys, in spite of the great tension that has been put upon it. Though not so observable from the steamer, it here looked literally. up and down bill, and from that spot a walk; along it Beemed a most formidable nndertaiking. Mr L'Estfange, on alighting on Utta firmd, was greeted with the cheers of those who by.this time had assembled around him. He was quite jolly, seemed not at all exhausted, and wished that the rope had been; twice as long." TheXlengtH;of the rope is said to be 1420 ft, and its height above the water ,341 ft. . ■'■'.. :;;■:;;■ -•' -• -■ ■'