FEATS OF ECKEBERG. 



307 



held that end in his left hand, and with his right applied 

 to the other end, twisted about the angular point, as 



Fig. 58. 



shown at C. Lord Tullibardine succeeded in doing the 

 same thing, and even untwisted one of the irons which 

 the German had twisted. 



It would lead into details by no means popular, were 

 I to give a minute explanation of the mechanical prin 

 ciples upon which these feats depend. A few general 

 observations will perhaps be sufficient for ordinary 

 readers. The feats No. 1, 2, and 6, depend entirely on 

 the natural strength of the bones of the pelvis, which 

 form a double arch, which it would require an immense 

 force to break, by any external pressure directed to the 

 centre of the arch ; and as the legs and thighs are capable 

 of sustaining four or five thousand pounds when they 

 stand quite upright, the performer has no difficulty in 

 resisting the force of two horses, or of sustaining the 

 weight of a cannon weighing two or three thousand 

 pounds. 



The feat of the anvil is certainly a very surprising one. 



