Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-03-30
MISC ELLANY.
FOOTBALL MATCH.


near the junction Of the Ettrick and Var.
row, the greatest match at the ball which
has tsken place for many years. It was
held by the people OF the Dale ofsYarrow,
against those of the Parish of Selkirk; the
former being brought to the field by the
Right HoI t,e Earl Of Home, and the gal
lant sutors by their chief Magistrate, Ebc-
nezer Clarksoa, Esq. Both sides were
joined by many volunteers from other pa
FISHES, and the appearance of the various
parties marching from their different elens
to the place ofrendezveus, with pipes play-
ing and loud ,acclamations, carried back
the coolest imagination to the old times
when the foresters assembled with the less
Peaceable purpose of invading the English
territory, or defending their own. The ro-
mantle character Of the scenery aided The
illusion, as well as the performance of a
feudal ceremony previous to commencing
the games.
His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and
Queensherry came upon the ground about
IL O'Clock, attended by numerous con-
course OF Gentlemen and Ladies. The
ancient banner of the Buccleuch family.
curious and venerable relique, emblazoned
with armorial bearings, and with the word
+" Bettendaire,' the ancient war cry of the
clan,of Scott, was then displayed. az ON
former occasions, when the Chief took the
field in person, whether for the purpose of
war or sport. The banner was delivered
BY Lady Ann Scott to Master Walter Scott.
younger of AbbotsIord, who attended suit
ably mounted and armed, and riding over
the field, displayed it to the sound of the
war pipes, and amid the acclamations of
the assembled spectators, who could not be
fewer than 1000 in number. That this
singular renewal of an ancient military
custom might not want poetical celebrity.
verses were distributed among the specta-
tors, composed for the occasion by the Ell
trick Shepherd and Mr.. w. Scott. The
former, Mr.. James Hogs) acted as aid de
camp to the Earl of Home in the command
OF the Yarrow men, and Mr.. Robert Hen
derson, of Selkirk, to Mr.. Clarkson, both OF
whom contributed not little to the good
order of the day. ,.lf
The ball was thrown up between the
parties by the Duke of BuccIeuch, and the
first game was gainad, after severe con-
fict OF an hour and half duration, by the
Selkirk men. The second game was still
more severely contested, and after close
and stubborn struggle of more than three
honrs, with various fortune, and much dis
play of strength and agility On beth sides,
was at length carried by the Yarrow men.
The ball should then have been thrown up
third tin-. but Considerable difficulty oc-
Cured IN arranging the voluntary auxilia-
ries from Othe' parishes, so as to make the
match equal and, as they began to close,
~ tua n a ~ -
to an issue, by playing decisive game.
Bothparties, therefore, parted with equal
honors. but, before they left the ground,
Che Sheriff threw up his hat, and in Lord
Dalkeith's name and his own, challenged
the Yarrow men, on the part of the Sutors,
toa match to he PLAYED upon the first con-
venient opportunity. with 100 picked men
only on each side. The challenge was mu-
tually accepted by Lord Home, on his own
part. and for Lord John Scott, and was re-
ceIved with acclamati0ns by the PLAYERS on
both sides. The principal gentlemen pre-
sent took part with one side or other, ex-
cept the Duke Of Buccleuch, who remained
neutral. Great play is expected, and all
bets are to be paid by the losers to the
poor of the winning parish. We cannot
dismiss the subject without giving our high
est commendation to the Earl of Home.
and to MIR. Clarkson, for the attention
which they Showed in promoting the spirit
and good order of The day. For the play
ers themselves, it was impossible to see
finer set Of active and athletic young Eel.
lows than appeared on The field. But
what we chiefly admired in their conduct
was, that though several hundreds in mum.
Der, exceedingly keen for their respective
parties, and engaged in SO rough and ami.
mated a contest, they ma ntai ed the most
perfect good humor, and showed how upne-
eessary it is to discourage manly aud ath.
letic exercises among the common people,
under the pretext Of maintaining subordina.
ton and good order. We have only to
regret, that the great concourse of specta-
tors rendered it difficult to mention the
names Of the several players who distin.
guishcd themselves by feats of strength or
agility; but we must not omit to record.
that the ficst ball was hailed by Robert Hall,
mason in Selkirk, and the secOrAl by Geo.
Brodie, from Greatlays, upon Ale Water.
The SeIkirk party wore sprigs Of Cir as
their mark IF distinction--the Yarrow men
slips 0f heath.
Refreshments were distributed to the
players By the Duke Of Buecleugh's domes-
tics, IN booth erected for the purpose =
and no persons were allowed to sell ale or
spirits on the field.
Ia the evening there was dance at the
l.. .. 4