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 toge
ther, 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 standing 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 standing 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