A WOMAN'S WALK OVER THE NIAGARA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 146, 9 October 1876, Page 3

A WOMAN'S WALK OVER THE NIAGARA.

n'ttu Bitffttln Cwritr, July 1», says : tfejia Spetterini is a genuine belle of the Snpniftu*, tho name -aw positively assured, and her nationJity unquestionably Italian, She h not syfph-bfce, but is what might busom, and physically able to Jtther own in the battle of life. On Saturday afternoon this lady accomplished Jottt which no woman had ever before aajed, namely, the crossing of the gorge 1 Jjfiagara on a tight-rope stretched tmIdiatety over the point where the rapids toil nw"»* f uriousir, a couple of hundred foot beyond the railroad suspensioniffche point selected for the exhibition, »h u game at which the famous Btondm ■twtulied his second rope, the gorge is wuwthing more than 800 feet wide, and & H bunks are about 260 feet above the Beihing water. It is one of the wildest, oust troubled parts of the river. Enclosures had been formed by rough board functor at either end of the rope on both tfta American and Canada sides, and an admission fee was charged, hut on the Dominion; side an unruly mob tumbled jura, the fence and defied the toll collector On the American side quite a large number of spectators, both in carriages m l on foot, who had gained admission by paying tlieir honest fee of entrance, were assembled, but many preferred to view the U( ,vul and startling spectacle ftoin the Irutge. This might be considered hardly tltu "fair thing, in consideration of the Sjcnorina had" been to an expense of 640 diHa. for her ropes and guy-ropes alone. _ The c»pe is two and a quarter inches in iliiuneter, of the best manilla, and weighs noitrly a ton. It is held taut by fourteen Inuuired pounds of guy ropes. She jtarttsd upon her pe.ri.ion.* journey promptly at four o'clock. When those W) want down by the train arrived inado thu enclosure, they saw a glistening ii'Mirt! far out upon " the straight and ■arrow lino," and with steady, measured !lo[>, proceeding. The lady was attired in urßßtt buskins, tights, a tunic of scarlet, Mid a shining green bodice. A few more Miauls of intense interest, and she stood tipnn the shining shore of her Majesty's ilnminions. T.iu accomplishment of the pamiujo was the signal for appfattse from botlt banks and taw bridge. Tuett they raited probably ten minute*. At the expiration of that time she again appeared wiivnee pote in hand, and stepping firmly itpimtho rope, began the rtcturn journey. Slpiu/te'ttofc/'e came back across the Jong i'mu, si. 'r>>% at the cetv-re to rest on one ikiiuo, tutn kjain stepping forward wiU jmuusured atuf steady tread. When within a ftjw rods frorot the final destination she stood immovable for a moment in statuusqiie pout* while the enterprising photographer Secured her presentment. 'l'hen ihu traversed the remaining distance, and lima- tile exhibition of the day elosed. Tito Signorina Spetterina '» twentylirou years of age, dark, with an csaentally Italian cast of countenance, square kiiifs,. and prwbaoly turning one hundred mid fifty pounds. Her features are quite regular, her expression intelligent, her Banner engaging.