The Olympic Arena, as Batty’s new circus was called, was the scene of
some feats too remarkable to be omitted from this record. Walker, on one
occasion, sustained the weight of six men, and held six cart-wheels
suspended, while hanging by the feet from slings; but it must be
remarked that he held only two of the wheels with his hands, the others
being attached in pairs to his feet, which were secured in the slings,
so that the weight fell chiefly upon the rope to which the slings were
attached. More remarkable feats were performed by Lavater Lee on his
benefit night, when he vaulted over fourteen horses, threw a dozen
half-hundred weights over his head, bent backward over a chair, and in
that position lifted a bar of iron weighing a hundred pounds, threw a
back somersault on a horse going at full speed, and turned twenty-one
forward somersaults, without the aid of a spring-board.
Dewhurst, the clown, must be allowed to speak for himself in the bill
which he issued for his benefit, and which, as regards his own
performances, was as follows:—
‘This is the night to see DEWHURST’S long and LOFTY JUMPS, without the
assistance of a spring-board:—1. Over a garter 14 feet high. 2. Over a
man standing on a horse lengthways. 3. Through a hoop of fire two feet
in diameter. 4. Through a circle of pointed daggers. 5. Over 10 horses.
6. Through six balloons. 7. Over three horses, one standing on the backs
of the other two. And finally, to crown his extraordinary efforts, he
will leap through a MILITARY DRUM, and over a REAL POST-CHAISE AND PAIR
OF HORSES.
‘During the evening will be introduced several NEW ACTS OF HORSEMANSHIP,
during the intervals of which Mr DEWHURST will perform many surprising
Feats; amongst the number, he will _tie his body in a complete knot_.
After which he will _walk on his hands_, and carry in his mouth _two
fifty-six pound weights_; in finis, it will be a GRAND BANQUET NIGHT!!
More entertainments than all the Aldermen in London can swallow. Dishes
to please Old and Young, Father and Son—Daughter and Mother, Sister and
Brother—Fat and Lean, Dirty and Clean—Short and Small, Big and Tall—Wise
and Witty, Ugly and Pretty—Good and Bad, Simple or Sad—All may enjoy,
and plenty to pick and choose among—Curious Speeches, Mild Observations,
Strange Questions, and Ugly Answers—Shakspeare reversed, and Milton with
a glass eye—Conundrums, Riddles, Charades, Enigmas, and Problems—With a
variety of real Nonsensical Nonsense, too innumerable to mention—hem!
‘Mr DEWHURST will on this night dance an ORIGINAL MOCK CACHOUCA, in a
style nothing like MADAME TAGLIONI. Mr D. will likewise dance the
CRACOVIENNE, as originally danced by Mademoiselle FANNY ELSLER, at her
Majesty’s Theatre, Italian Opera House. He will also _burlesque a
favourite dance of_ MADAME CELESTE; and conclude with a New Comic
Lancashire HORNPIPE IN CLOGS.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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