The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-09-03 00:00:00

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THE GRAND TOURNAMENT AT EGLINTON

(Prom the Edinburgh Evening Post.)
When Edmund Burke, in his most fervid strain of elo-
quence, lamented that " the days of chivalry were gone," it
was little dreamt that, in the middle of the nineteenth cen-
tury, the ancient spirit would reappear and manifest itself in
one of the most magnificent and perfect displays of knightly
Without
and courtly grandeur which were ever witnessed.
Without entering into the question, whether such a display
exactly accords with the " mechanical" spirit of the present
age, we may unhesitatingly affirm, that the species of enter-
tainment which has been revived under the auspices of a Scot-
tish nobleman is calculated more than any other to gratify
every class, from the highest to the humblest, who are enabled
thus equally to share in the pleasure and excitement which so
remarkable a display can never fail to produce. We look,
therefore, with feelings something akin to contempt upon
that trading and grovelling spirit which would take no delight,
nay, which would not feel a lively sympathy, in the proceed-
ings of the tournament. But when this fete is executed in
all its details, as it was on this occasion, with the strictest
adherence to the forms of by-gone times, and surrounded
with all the in agnifient accompaniments which the most lavish
expenditure could call together, we are forced to admire the
fine enthusiasm and princely liberality which prompted and
pervaded the whole of these splendid and imposing arrange-
ments. As a great work of art—in which light the Eglin-
ton tournament ought in justice to be considered—we regard
this splendid effort to revive the glories of chivalry as one of
the most noble undertakings in which a high and gallant
spirit could be engaged. But in a useful point of view, it is
not less praiseworthy. In plain English, it has been the
cause of more money being spent among the inhabitants of a
districts, which offers few attractions to the tourist, than
could possibly have been occasioned by any other means. At
the same time, the object itself is associated with all that is
manly, gallant, and refined—with less of alloy than usually
enters into the reunions and fetes of the more wealthy part
of the community. Accordingly, we think that every honour
is due to the spirited and liberal nobleman who has on this
occasion spared no expense or labour for the gratification of
his friends and the public. No one who was not present, or
who had no opportunity to observe the interior observations,
could possibly conceive or appreciate the vast exertions of
the Earl of Eglinton to render this entertainment worthy of
the most flourishing age of English chivalry. That his lord-
ship succeeded in realising the utmost expectations of the
richest imagination, stimulated by the graphic descriptions
of the gorgeous displays of the olden time, will be admitted
by all who had the good fortune to winless it. In short, no
terms of admiration could be deemed hyperbolical in charac-
terizing the minute details, as well as the whole effect of this
magnificent fete. Even the damping influence of some heavy
showers of rain, gave way before the feelings of wonder and
delight which the grandeur and beauty of the scene inspired.
We need not dilate upon the sensation created throughout
the whole country by this event. The crowds of nobility,
gentry, indeed of all classes, who literally besieged the towns
and villages in the vicinity, and even at some disance from
Eglington, formed the best evidence of the fact. We leave
our readers to imagine the effect of this vast influx of strangers
upon the vulgar requirements, in the shape of accommoda-
tion, &c. We have no room for the narration of such par-
ticulars. We proceed to deal with metal more attractive—
the actual business of this chivalric spectacle.
On Wednesday morning, as early as eight o'clock, great
numbers took the road from Irvine to the grounds of Egling-
ton, about two miles and a half distant. As the appointed
hour approached, the multitudes became more dense, and
seemed to form a never-ending train of human beings. At the
same time every kind of conveyance was put into requisition,
and the road was literally covered with splendid equipages,
carriages, barouches, droskies, gigs, omnibuses, &c. all hur-
rying towards the scene of attraction. The weather was re-
markably fine, and though it began a little past twelve to as-
sume a doubtful aspect, yet no one seemed to fear a change.
In fact we never saw a gayer or more enlivening scene.
The grounds of Eglington, within which the tournament
was to take place, and whither all were bent, are such as well
become the residence of a British noble. The policy includes
upwards of 1400 acres, and is disposed in the most tasteful and
picturesque style. The castle, which is approached through
a winding avenue extending nearly a mile, is a fine baronial
'mansion, with turrets and a dome in the castellated style.
Immediately behind and in connection with the castle, two
spacious pavilions, with a centre saloon, were erected under
one roof, for the banquet and ball room. The former was 137
feet in length—in which three tables were laid, with an ele-
vated dais at the tcp ; the roof was covered in with alternate
stripes of blue and white, magnificent candelbra were suspend-
ed, and altogether the effect was graceful and pleasing. The
ball room was 170 feet in length, by 45 in breadth, lighted up
by at least a dozen chandeliers, suspended from the roof, and
an innumerable quantity of waxen lights, fitted to the side
walls. The saloon in the centre, into which a beautiful stair-
case led from the castle, was ornamented with flowers and
green boughs, hung around with the banners of the knights,
and amid the leafiness iv ere suspended lines of variegated
lamps.
Rather more than a quarter of a mile north-east of the
castle was the scene selected for the Lists, and a more ap-
propriate spot could not have been chosen. The ground laid
off is a portion of a beautifully level lawn, skirted by the
winding Lugton, one of the best trouting streams in Ayrshire,
and round which the gently sloping ascents with belts of
planting, form a natural amphitheatre of the richest descrip-
tion. The arena, or Lists, comprised an oblong square,
about 650 feet in length, and 250 in breadth. The barrier
110 yards long, and more than four feet in height, was erected
in the centre of the Lists. The grand pavilion, with the
throne of the Queen of Beauty, was on the south side of the
arena, where the elite of the visitors were accommodated
with seats. This gallery was calculated to contain about 1000
spectators. Other two, one on each side of the principal
stand, were erected, of smaller dimensions, and of a less
gorgeous description, designed to accommodate about 1600
persons.
The space at either extremity of the Lists was occupied
by the tents of the knights. On the western side, that of
the Lord of the Tournament stood in the centre, flanked by
those of Lord Glenlyon, Captain Beresford, Lord London-
derry, Lechmere, Esq., and the Black Unknown Knight.
On the opposite extremity were placed the tents of C. Lamb,
Esq., Lord Craven, J. 0. Fairlie, Esq., Lord Alford, Mar-
quis of Waterford, Captain Gage, Sir F. Hopkins, and Lord
Cassilis. The shape of the tents was either conical or octa-
gonal, and the stripes of the stuffs composing them corres-
ponded with the colours of the retrospective knights who
occupied them.
The parties who had received tickets of admission to the
principal stand, where the Queen of Love and Beauty was to
preside, as well as to the places erected for their accommo-
dation an either side, continued to arrive in carriages till
about one o'clock. The effect was at this time truly magnifi-
cent. Being placed in this part of the arena, we had the
best means of appreciating the splendour of the arrangements.
The Stand being handsomely fitted up with a Gothic front,
which was hung with blue drapery, was, when crowded with
'the ladies and gentlemen to whom places were assigned, and
who appeared in the most gorgeous costumes, an object of
surpassing interest. No description can do justice to this
brilliant assemblage of Britain's fairest daughters, dressed in
the most picturesqe and costliest style. We are neither tailors
nor milliners, but we confess we could not help thinking that
the persons who could manufacture such costumes are artists
of no mean rank. However, as the dresses are not very
varied, we need not attempt any description of them; they
will be best understood by looking into any work on ancient
costumes. We may add, however, that the dress of Lady
Seymour, the Queen of Love and Beauty, was composed of a
jacket of ermine, the skirt of violet velvet, with the front of
skyblue velvet, on which was her ladyship's arms (those of
the Duke of Somerset,) richly embroidered in silver, and a
coronet, or crown, richly ornamented with jewels. The Mar-
chioness of Londonderry's dress was composed of similar
materials, made under her own direction. The noblemen
and gentlemen who did not take an active part in the work
of the day, were attired in every variety of costume, though
the brilliant uniforms of many proclaimed that they belonged
to the military.
The whole exterior space was occupied by the public. The
vast multitude filled the grounds as far as the eye could
reach ; but we believe that no one was prevented from pos-
sessing a complete view of the Lists or tilting arena. Va-
rious calculations have been made as to the number assem-
bled, but all that has been said on this point is necessarily
mere guess-work. According to our views, formed upon the
opinions of experienced persons, we should be inclined to
think that there were not fewer than one hundred thousand
spectators on this occasion. This congregated mass, it must
be added, behaved in the most orderly manner, in spite of the
discomfort attending their position.
The hour appointed for the moving of the procession from
the castle to the Lists was one o'clock, but in consequence of
some delay in the arrangements, it did not set out till a little
after two o'clock. The route by which this magnificent ca-
valcade proceeded was admirably calculated to enable the
vast crowd of spectators to witness it in all its details. Pro-
ceeding by a winding path about a mile in length, the whole
of the knights and their attendants were displayed to the
greatest advantage. From the Grand Stand, the gorgeous
train was seen winding amongst the noble trees, occasionally
emerging into the open lawn, and affording a striking con-
trast to the sylvan scenery. Although a considerable quan-
tity of rain fell during this part of the day, there was no dis-
satisfaction evinced on the countenances of those engaged in
this most imposing array. The only subject of regret seemed
to be that the ladies who had intended to appear in the ca-
valcade were compelled to proceed to the Stand in carriages.
The Queen of Beauty and her attendants were consequently
visible to those only in the principal tent or to such as had
provided themselves with glasses. We here insert the pro-
gramme of the

PROCESSION.
Men at Arms, in demi Suits of Armour and Costumes.
Musicians in rich costumes of Silks—their horses trapped and
caparisoned.
Trumpeters, in full costume—the Trumpet and Banners em-
blazoned with the Arms of the Lord of the Tournament.
Banner Bearers of the Lord of the Tournament.
Two Deputy Marshals, in costumes, on horses caparisoned,
Attendants on foot.
The Eglinton Herald, in a Tabard, richly embroidered.
Two Pursuivants, in Emblazoned Surcoats.
The Judge of Peace (LORD SALTOUN,) in his Robes, and
bearing a Wand, on a horse richly caparisoned.
Cetainers, on foot, in costumes, carrying heavy Steel Battle
Axes.
Officer of the Halberdiers, on horseback, in a Suit of demi
Armour, with a Gilt Partizan.
Halberdiers, on foot, in Liveries of the Lord carrying their
Halberds.
Men at Arms, in demi Suits of Armour.
The Herald of the Tournament, in his Tabard, richly em-
blazoned with emblematical devices.
THE KNIGHT MARSHAL OF THE LlSTS—Groom—Sir Chas.
Lamb, Bart.—Groom---in a rich embroidered Surcoat, and
embossed and gilt Suit of Armour—his horse richly capa-
risoned, &c.
Esquire, Lord Chelsea—Esquire, Major M`Dowal.
Attendants on the Knight Marshal, in Costumes of his Col-
ours, Blue, White, and Gold.
Halberdiers of the Knight Marshal, in Liveries of his Col-
ours, with their Halberds.
Ladies Visitors-Lady Montgomery, Lady Jane Montgomery,
Miss Macdonald, on horses, caparisoned with blue and
white silk, embroidered with gold and silver, each led by a
Groom in costume of their colours.
THE KING OF THE TOURNAMENT—Halberdier—Marquis
of Londonderry—Halberdier—in his Robes of Velvet and.
Ermine, and wearing his Coronet, his horse richly capari-
soned.
Esquire, Colonel Wood—Esquire, H. Irvine.
Halberdiers, in Liveries, as before.
THE QUEEN OF BEAUTY—Groom—Lady Seymour—Groom
—in a rich Costume, on a horse richly caparisoned—a Silk
Canopy borne over her by Attendants in costumes.
Ladies Attendants on the Queen, in rich costumes.
[Lady Seymour did not, as already intimated, go on horse-
back, but in her carrie.
Pages of the Queen, in costumes of her colours.
Esquire, F. Charteris.
The Jester, in a characteristic costume, bearing his sceptre,
on a Mule, caparisoned and trapped with bells, &c.
Retainers, on foot, in Liveries of the colours of the Lord of
the Tournament.
TH E IRVINE ARCHERS, in costumes of Lincoln green, black
velvet Baldric, Rondelle, &c.
Claude Alexander, Esq., Lord Kilborn, Sir Robert Dallas,
Captain Blair, Stuart Hay, Esq., J. Brownlow, Esq.
Hamilton, Esq., Captain Blane, A. Cunningham, 'Esq.,
C. S. Buchanan, Esq., Sir A. Hamilton, Bart., Captain
- -t omerie, J. Burnett, Esq., Hon. J. Strang-ways,
kin, Esq.
e„L, d of the Tournament, Halberdiers of
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4 Ar .of his colours—Man at Arms, in half
r •sP lon, borne by a Man at Arms—Man
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Nyjo - . Touarwarrr—Groom—Earl of Eg-
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Linton--Groom—in a suit of Gilt Armour, richly chased
on a barbd Charger—caparisons, &c., of Blue and Gold.
The Banner, borne by Lord A. Seymour—Esquires, G. Dun
das, Esq., F. Cavendish, Esq., G. 111`Doual, Esq.
Retainers of the Lord, as before.

Halberdiers of the Knight of the Griffin, in Liveries of his
Colours.

Man at Arms, in half armour—The Gonfalon, bornt by a
Man at Arms—Man at Arms, in half armour.

THE KNIGHT OF THE GRIFFIN—Groom--4ar/ of Craven
—Groom—in a suit of engraved Milanese Armour, inlaid
with Gold; on a barbed Charger—caparisons, &c., of
Scarlet, White, and Gold.

Esquire, the Hon. F. Craven—The Banner, borne by a Man
at Arms, in half armour—Esquire, the Hon. F. Macdo-
nald—Retainers.

Halberdiers of the Knight of the Dragon, in Liveries of his
Colours—Man at Arms, in half armour—The Gonfalon,
borne by a Man at Arms—Man at Arms, in half armour.
THE KNIGHT OF THE DRAGON—Groom—Marquis of Wa-
terford—Groom—in a suit of polished Steel Fluted Ger-
man Armour ; on a barbed Charger—caparisons, &c., of
Blue and White.

Pages, Lord John Beresford, Mark White, Esq.
Esquire, Sir Charles Kent—The Banner, borne by a Man at
Arms—Esquire, L. Ricardo, Esq.—Retainers.
HaMerdiers of the. Knight of the Black Lion—Man at Arms,
in half armour—The Gonfalon, borne by a Man at Arms
—Man at Arms, in half armour.

THE KNIGHT OF THE BLACK LlON—Groom—Viscount
Atford—Groom—in a suit of polished Steel Armour ; on
a Charger—caparisons, &c., of Blue and White.
Esquire, the Hon. Mr. Cust—the Banner borne by a Man
at Arms—Esquire, T. 0. Gascoigne, Esq.—Retainers.
Halberdiers of the Knight of Gael—Man at Arms, in half
armour—The Gonfalon, borne by a Man at Arms—Man
at Arms, in half armour.

THE KNIGHT OF GAEL—GrOOM—Viscount Glenlyon—
Groom—in a suit of Polished Steel Armour, on a barbed
Charger—caparisons, &c., of Green, Blue, and Crimson.
Esquire, Sir David Dundas—The Banner borne by a Man at
Arms—Esquire, John Balfour, Esq.—Retainers.
Retainers of the Knight of the Dolphin.—Man at Arms, in
Half-Armour—The Gonfalon, borne by a Man at Arms—
Man at Arms, in Half-Armour.
_

THE KNIGHT OF THE DOLPHlN.—Groom—Earl of Cassillis
—Groom—in a suit of engraved Steel Armour, inlaid with
Gold—on a barbed Charger—caparisons, &c., of Scarlet,
Black and White.

Esquire—Esquire.
THE KNIGHT OF THE CRANE, Lord Cranstown, in a Suit of
polished Steel Armour, on a barbed Charger—caparisons,
&c., of Red and White.
_

Esquire—The Banner borne by a Man at Arms—Esquire.
Retainers of the Knight of the Ram—The Gonfalon, borne
by a Man at Arms.
THE KNIGHT OF THE RAM—Groom—The Hon. Capt. Gage
—Groom—in Suit of polished,Steel Armour, on a barbed
Charger—caparisons, &c., of Blue, White and Crimson.
Esquire, R. Murray, Esq.—The Banner borne by a Man at
Arms—Esquire, J. Ferguson, Esq.
Halberdiers of the Black Knight—Man at Arms in Half-
Armour-1 be Gonfalon, borne by a Man at Arms in Half-
Armour.
THE BLACK KNIGHT—GrOOM—John Campbell, Esq. of
Saddel—Groom—ip a Suit of Black Armour, on a barbed
Charger—caparisons, &c. of Black.
Page, Master J. Fletcher,—Page, Master Fletcher.
Esquire, Captain Blair—The Banner borne by a Man at
Arms—Esquire, Clanranald, Retainers.
Retainers of the Knight of the Swan—Man at Arms, in
Half Armour—The Gonfalon, borne by a Man at Arms—
Man at Arms, in Half Armour.

THE KNIGHT OF THE SWAN—Groom—Hon. Mr. Jerning-
hana—Groom—in a Suit of polished Steel Armour, on a
barbed Charger—caparisons, &c., of Crimson and White.
Esquire, Captain Stephenson—The Banner, borne by a Man
at Arms—Esquire, Garden Campbell, Esq.
Retainers of the Knight of the Golden Lion—in Liveries of
his colours.
Halberdiers—in emblazoned Costumes, baring their Hal-
berts.
Man at Arms, in half Armour—The Gonfalon, borne by a
Man at Arms—Man at Arms, in half Armour.
THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN LION, Capt. J. C. Fairlie
—Groom—in a Suit of richly gilt and emblazoned Armour ;
caparisons, &c., of Blue and Crimson—Groom.
Page—The Banner, borne by Cox, Esq.—Page.
Esquire, H. Wilson, Esq.—Esquire, Captain Purves—Esq.,
Captain Pettat.
Halberdiers as before, Retainers, &c.

Retainers of the Knight of the White Rose—Body Guard of
Bowmen, in Ancient Costume—the Gonfalon, borne .by
men at Arms.—Body Guard of Bowmen, in Ancient Cos-

tume.
THE KNIGHT OF THE WHITE ROSE, Charles Lamb, Esq.—
Groom—in a Suit of polished Steel Armour ; upon a barb-
ed Charger—caparisons, &c., of Blue and Gold Lozenge.
Esquire, J. Gordon, Esq.—The Banner borne by a Man at
Arms—Esquire, R. Crawford, Esq.—Retainers.
THE KNIGHT OF THE STAG'S HEAD—Groom—Captain Be-
resford—in a Suit of polished Steel Armour ; on a barbed
Charger; caparisons &c., of White and Black.
Esquire, Lord Maidstone—The Banner borne by a Man at
Arms—Esquire, Lumley, Esq.
THE KNIGHT OF THE BORDER.—Groom—Sir F. Johnston,
Groom—in a Suit of polished Steel Armour; on a Horse;
caparisons, &c., White and Gold.
Esquire, Lord Drumlanrig—The Banner borne by a Man at
Arms—Esquire.
THE KNIGHT OF THE BURNING TOWER, Sir F. Hopkins,
—Groom—in a Suit of polished Steel Armour; on a Char-

ger ; caparisons, &c., Black and Gold—Groom.
Esquire—The Banner borne by a Man at Arms—Esquire.
Retainers of the Knight of the Red Rose.—The Gonfalon
borne by a Man at Arms.
THE KNIGHT OF THE RED ROSE, R. J. Lechmere, Esq.—
Groom—in a Suit of fluted German Armour; on a barbed
Charger—caparisons, &c., Scarlet and White—Groom.
Esquire, Corry, Esq.—The Banner, borne by Corbett
Smith, Esq.—Esquire, R. Horlock, Esq.
Retainers of the Knight of the Lion's Paw—The Gonfalon
borne by a Man at Arms.
THE KNIGHT OF THE LION'S PAW—Groom—Cecil Boothly,
Esq.—Groom—in a Suit of Polished Steel Armour; on a
barbed Charger ; caparisons, &c., Blue and Crimson.
Esquire—The banner borne by a Man at Arms—Esquire.
The Knights Visitors, in ancient costumes.

Swordstrien, in characteristic costumes on foot, each bearing
a two-handed sword on his right shoulder.
Bowmen, with their hoods and bows.

The Seneschal of the Castle, in his costume of office, and
bearing his wand.
Two Deputy Marshals, in costumes ; on horseback, as before.
Attendants of the Deputy Marshals.
Chamberlains of the Household, in costumes of office, each
bearing his key.
Servitors of the Castle, on foot.
Men at Arms, as before.

This procession was magnificent in all its parts beyond
description. Every thing was real—and we felt as if per-
sonally transported back to a periodwhich only exists in the
imagination. It would be vain to attempt to particularize
the most striking costumes—each of the knights singly was
a picture. They looked their parts admirably—a gallant and
manly bearing distinguished all of them. At the same time,
we feel bound to say, not from mere wish to compliment the
distinguished nobleman, who planned and executed the
tournament, but from a knowledge that it was the universal
opinion, that Lord Eglinton in appearance and appoint-
ments eclipsed all his compeers. His noble figure and un-
affected bearing struck all beholders—and his skilful and
beautiful horsemanship—combined with the beauty and
splendour of his armour—called forth the willing and grate-
ful plaudits, not of his friends alone but of the entire multi-
tude, whose cheers he repeatedly acknowledged in the kindest
manner.

The band of the 78th regiment was stationed at an early
period of the day in front of the Queen of Beauty's throne ;
and that of the 2d or Queen's Dragoon Guards was also in
attendance.