By J. W. (landra, Bourke, N. S. W.)

about twenty feat ahead ; but what with the rolling of the ship and the vibration of the powerful engine*, the rope he had now to walk on was drawn into such con tortions that he described it as looking more like a snake than a rope. Before he had gone five yards he was forced to sit down to steady himself, and avoid two or three rollers which came in succession. He rose on one leg, and it was worth much to see the great muscles on the out side of his thighs spring into bold relief. Twice again he sat down, and reached the mizenmaat amidst hearty applause. This part of the journey was made more difficult by the sun shining directly in his eyes. His return was quic& and easy till he had passed over three-quarters of the distance, when a swell caught the ship. He had to stop, and sway from side to side, till he seemed to be quite out of the perpendicular, the fact being that the masts and funnel by which the eye was guided were themselves out of the perpendicular. The pole wavered violently, and once or twice appeared to be held almost straight up and down. Muoh anxiety wag felt, not only by the passengers, but by Captain Angrove and the officers of the ship. Blondin never lost his nerve, but coolly waited till the troublesome rollers had passed, walked on and reached the main mast in safety. He says that his task was a most difficult one, and that he could not have gone through any of his usual perform ances on such a rope as that. Captain Angrove, who had eased the engines and varied the course of the ship from time to time, so as to keep her as steady as possible, congratulated Blondin warmly upon his safe dee«ent. The whole thing was gratuitous, Blondin's only recompense for having done what no man did before being a unanimous vote of thanks from the passengers."

THE NEW GIRL.
