Event Comment: Post Man, 5-8 Sept. 1696: At Mr
Barns's Booth in
Southwark Fair, near
St Georges Church, will be seen the only
English, Dutch, Spanish, High German and Indian Companies of Rope-Dancers, who are all five joined together,
and will perform such variety of Dancing, Walking, Vaulting
and Tumbling; the like was never seen in
England before. 1st, You will see the famous Indian Woman
and her Company. 2. You will see the High German Company. 3. You will see the
Spanish Company dance excellently well on the Low Rope. 4. You will see the two famous Dutch Children, who are the wonder
and admiration of all the Rope Dancers in the World of their Sex
and Age. 5. You will see the two famous
Englishmen,
Mr Edward Barns of
Rederiff,
and Mr Appleby, who are the only two Master Ropedancers
and Tumblers in the old world; also you may see Mr Edward Barnes dance with a Child st
anding on his shoulders,
and with 2 children at his Feet, in Jack-boots
and Spurs,
and cuts Capers a yard
and a half high,
and dances a Jig on the Rope with that variety of steps, that few, or no Dancing Masters can do the like on the ground: He likewise walks on a slack Rope no bigger than a penny Cord,
and swings himself 6 or 7 yards distance. Afterwards you will see the famous Indian Woman Vault the High Rope with great dexterity. Likewise you will see the famous Mr Appleby, who is the only Tumbler in all
Europe, fling himself over 16 mens heads, through 12 Hoops, over 14 Halbards, over a Man on Horseback,
and a Boy st
anding upright on his Shoulders. You will likewise the entertained with good Musick. The merry Conceits of
Harlequin and his Son
Punch. You will see the
English and Dutch Flag on the top of the Booth. Vivat Rex. We shall play in this place 12 days