A "WOMAN'S WALK OVER THE NIAGARA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 183, 29 September 1876, Page 14

A "WOMAN'S WALK OVER THE NIAGARA.

' II 11 " ■■ Thh 'Buffalo Courier/ July 10, says:— Maria Spelterini is a genuine belle of the Campagna, the name being her own, as we are positively assured, and her nationality unquestionably Italian. She is not particularly sylph-like, but is what might be termed buxom, and physically able to hold her own in the battle of life. On Saturday afternoon this lady accomplished a feat which no woman had ever before essayed, namely, the crossing of the gorge of Niagara on a tight rope stretched immediately over the point where the rapids boil most furiously, a couple of hundred feet beyond the railroad suspension-bridge. At the point selected for the exhibition, the same at -which the famous Blondin stretched his second rope, the gorge is something more than eight hundred feet wide, and the banks are about two hundred feet above the seething water. It is one of the wildest, ' most troubled parts of the river. Enclosures had been formed by rough board fences, at either end of the rope on both the America 11 and Canada sides, and an admission fee was charged, but on a ri D . ominion side an unruly mob tumbled down the fence and defied the toll collector. On the American side quite a large number of spectators, both in carriages and on foot, who had gained admission by paying their honest fee of entrance, were assembled, but many preferred to view the novel and startling spectacle from the bridge. This might be considered hardly the fair thing, in consideration of the fact that the Signorina had been to an expense of 640 dols. for her ropes and guy-ropes alone. The rope is two and a quarter inches in diameter, of the best manilla, and weighs nearly a ton. It is held taught by fourteen hundred pounds of guy ropes. She started upon her perilous journey promptly at four o'clock. When those who went down by the train arrived inside the enclosure they saw a glistening figure far out upon "the straight and narrow way/ and with steady, measured step, proceeding. The lady was attired with green buskins, tights, a tunic of scarlet, and a shining green bodice. A few more seconds of intense interest and she stood upon the shining shore of her Majesty's dominions. The accomplishment of her passage was the signal for applause from both banks and the bridge. Then they waited probably ten minutes. At the expiration of that time she a<>ain appeared, balance pole in hand, and stepping firmly upon the rope, began the return journey. Steadily she came back across the long line, stopping at the centre to rest upon one knee, then again stepping forward with measured and steady tread. When within a few rods of the final destination she stood immovable for a moment in statuesque pose, while an enterprising photographer secured her presentment. Then she traversed the remaining distance, and thus the exhibition of the day was closed. The Signorina Spelterini is twenty-three years of age, dark, with an essentially Italian cast of countenance, square built, and probably turning one hundred and fifty pounds. Her features are quite regular, her expression intelligent, her manner engaging.