Event Comment: Flying Post, 23-25 Aug. 1698: At Mr
Barns's and Mr Appleby's Booth, over against the
Cross-Daggers in
Smithfield, is to be seen the most famous
Rope-Dancers of Europe, who have brought over the
Morocco Woman, the two
German Maidens,
and the
Danish Woman and her Company, which out-does all Men
and Women that ever danced yet on the Ropes, the German Maiden outdoing all Men
and Women, that ever Danc'd before her, both for high leaping
and fine Dancing,
and whatever has been done by any person on the Ground, as side, upright, cross or back Capers, is performed by her on the Dancing Rope,
and rises to that prodigious height, as will startle all that see her.
William King,
A Journey to London in the Year 1698 (2d edition, corrected, 1699), pp. 27-28: I was at
Bartholomew Fair....I went to the Dancing on the Ropes, which was admirable. Coming out I met a man that would have took off my Hat, but I secur'd it,
and was going to draw my Sword, Crying out, Begar! Damn'd Rogue! Morblew, &c. when on a sudden I had a hundred People about me, Crying here, Monsieur, see
Jephtha's Rash Vow, here, Monsieur, see the Tall
Dutch Woman, see the Tyger, says another; see the Horse
and no Horse, whose Tayl st
ands where his Head should do; see the German Artist, Monsieur; see the
Siege of Namur, Monsieur: So that betwixt Rudeness
and Civility, I was forc'd to get into a Fiacre,
and with an air of Hast,
and a full Trot, got home to my Lodgings