A close inspection of all
the exhibitionists of this class will show that they are of
superior physique and calm courage. They only acquire their
ability after long gymnastic exercise, as well as actual practice
on the rope. Most of these persons used means of balancing
themselves, generally a long and heavy pole; but some used
nothing but their outstretched arms. In 1895, at the Royal
Aquarium in London, there was an individual who slowly mounted a
long wire reaching to the top of this huge structure, and, after
having made the ascent, without the aid of any means of balancing
but his arms, slid the whole length of the wire, landing with
enormous velocity into an outstretched net.
The equilibrists mentioned thus far have invariably used a
tightly stretched rope or wire; but there are a number of persons
who perform feats, of course not of such magnitude, on a slack
wire, in which they have to defy not only the force of gravity,
but the to-and-fro motion of the cable as well. It is
particularly with the Oriental performers that we see this
exhibition. Some use open parasols, which, with their Chinese or
Japanese costumes, render the performance more picturesque; while
others seem to do equally well without such adjuncts.
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