Cirrus@Austlit

Blondin, most famous of all the tight-rope walkers, was born in France in 1824, his real name being Jean Francois Gravelet. From the age of five he was engaged in circuses. His most celebrated feat was the crossing of Niagara Falls, in 1859, on a rope 1,100 feet long suspended 160 feet above the water. Not only did he cross in the ordinary manner, but he did the trip blindfold, with his legs in a sack, pushing a wheelbarrow, on stilts, and carrying a man on his shoulders. He also carried a small stove into t he middle of the rope, and cooked and ate an omelette there. His visit to Australia in the early 1870's sent a wave of enthusiasm for tight-rope walking over what was then known as the Colonies. No circus was complete without an exponent of the art, and many an unlucky boy-and girl - fell off fence-rail or clothes line while practising to emulate the bespangled rope walkers of the big tops.

The most celebrated Australian rope walker was L'Estrange, known as 'The Australian Blondin.' Little or nothing is known of his private life, except that he was born in Fitzroy, Victoria, and between thirty and thirty-five at the time of the extraordinary feat described in this story.

L'Estrange crossed Middle Harbour three times - once on 29^th March, 1877, in the presence of a number of sportsmen who made the trip on the steamer 'Britannia'; again before a huge crowd, including the Governor and Lady Hercules Robinson, in 18^th April; and finally on 21^st April, after which he left for America, intending to essay Blondin's Niagara feat. His subsequent career is unknown.

The height of Middle Harbour rope above water is said to have been 31 feet, and its length was estimated at between 1,000 feet - the figure given by the 'Sydney Morning Herald' - and 1,400 feet. (p 1229)