Jumping Into Niagara River

The Buffalo Etprsss oontains sn account of the feat of Signor Bal Umi in walking over tlie Niágara Kiver below the fajls, and then jumping tïoui the rope into the river. We give the foüówing : It was found that the rope had not been drawn tight enough, and men were immediately dispatched lo iix it, whioh was done, and at 15 minutes to ." o'olock the start was made. All action and con - versatíon was now suspended, and every one's attention was given to the man on the rope, who marched along, apparently withthe greatest of oase, to the music of tho Drunmiondsville band, whicu was stationed in front of the Olifton House. At six minutes to ó o'clock Balleni reached the middle of the rope, where he halted to return hia salutation to the tremendous applause whioh greeted his exploit. After reating himself for a brief period the Signor again started on his tramp. This was the only stop made, and 10 minutes after 5 o'clock the pnrambulist, looking pale as death, had reached the American end of bis rope, he having made the trip in 25 minutes. He complained of feeling very tired, in consequenco, ho said, of the extra exertion in wijking causod by the slackness of the rope. After another rest of 13 minutes, Signor Balleni again took his polo in hand, and was off to the middle of the rope, to make the great leap. It took him just six minutes to arrive at the center of the rope, and when there he at once began making preparations to jump. While thus engaged he lost his balancing-pole, which feil into tho water and sank. A cord six feet long, made of rubber bands, was attached to the rope at a point just 1 lú feet abo ve the surface of the water. Balleni cauglit hold of one end of the elastic cord before the spectators thought he was ready to go. He descended like an arrow, and the recovering snap of the rubber was alinost simultaneous with the loud" splash of his fall in the water. " Is he alive ':" were the words breathlessly spoken by the crowd of excited people as they looked nervously over the banks into tlie water below. To be sure hu was, and no sooner was the splash heard than the head of the Signor carne peeping out of the water, and he struck out vigorously and heartily toward the boat which was there to piek hiui up. He was quiekly hanled into the little craft, carefully wrapped up with heavy blankets and rowed to the shoie. A carriage to which was attached four horses met him at the foot of the roadway, down the bank, and drove him up tlie hill, where he was met by his wife, who was the first to congratúlate him. The baad then look its position in front, and the hero of the day was taken to his stoppingplace inDrucumondsville, where, after changing his clothes, h was interviewed by our reporter. His name, he said, was Signor Henry Balleni, and his age 32 years. He was born in Lamington, England, bnt his parents are both ltalians. His weight is 132 pounds; he is five feet seven inches in height ; of dark complexión and slim build. He has been ló years engaged in his present profession, and has given exhibitions in Australia, France, India and America. He has in his possession a beautiful gold medal, which he avers was presented to him by Louis Napoleon for jumping trom a building 80 feet high. His walk across the river yesterday is the longest ever accoinplished by him. Mis balancing pole, which he lost, was 21 1-2 feet long and weighs 48 pounds.