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 ano
ther; see
the Horse and no Horse, whose Tayl stands 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