Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-06-24

The Pensacola Gazette gives a dss,,;u
of a recent feie, there celebrated. caIIe3P ae0
:'Pad Gaud." 1t is a very ancient cuv,n,a NE
a long time disused; but lately rey;,ad lt
1t somewhat resembles the old English cn.,.
of shooting the Pcpln jay, as described BY 81.
Walter Scott in Old Mortality. CIR
The body of the bird was somewhat L..
than that of a domestic fowl; it was made oS ss
root o fcypress or wild olive, or other ,punsr NE
teria, so that it might be struck BY h1:d "a,
balls without being brought down. An Iuq
rod was passed thro' it, which was driven in,n ~
end of a long pole. The distance from the DI'a'
where the shooters took their stand. va, f4le
seventy yards. The head of the gauFy birJ W wy
crowned with a bunch of artificial fower. nrS
IT'S spreading wings, and the sweepinr curya"r
its tail. were adorned with one hundred r;bh,vI
of every color. and luttering in the breeze"
gifts. which it had obtained from the ladies, d,
inc the week while paraded through the torn1
Every eye was now fixed on this obiect-it ~.
sufficiently near to enable each fair maidcn =
distinguish her lift from the rest-and nam
generous Caudiiero guided by instinct. perI;,s
b, some secret in;imAtion, painted to possess him
self. if not of the 'choL birj. Ak least fthe to~.
of his damsel. Eighty tickets we're drawn fran
a hat, and the lists forthwith were opened. RI.
les, muskets. fowling pieces, double Or .ipgp
barrelled, with cOmmo or percussion lock.
were brought forth. Officers of the army and
navy, citizens, the Young and old al! Engaged n
the contest with equal earnestncss. and with
equal gaiety and good humor. Blu. the imsgin,,
ton must supply the rest. The shooting con.
... .,o -, o,i N h,1F n,-i ,,I.. =
ed of the poor bird. but a small piece. hot lonqer
than ones hand. As it diminished in size. and
a~spirants grew more eager, the distance va,
shortened, until at last each one was At liberty 70
take what station he pleased. BY this time the o..
naments Of the pau. gaad were transferred to The
hats and button holes of the malksmen. uho
seldom obtained the ribband most valued BY
them. A lucky, or perhaps we'll directed shot
brought down the remaining fragment shoat
ensued and Mr.. v was proclaimed king
Then followed a PROFESSIONALS majesty eject
with the boquet in his hand, supported BY the
ex-kings. and preceded by music, PLAYING hail
to the chief" The procession passed twice in
review before the ladies. who were seated, bu,
on coming round the third time a fair lady was
chosen queen Of the next festival, the boque.
was presenter W hc'' une SIloiSc "do idui!el "
general acclaim, and by the bushes Of the maiden.
The following is a description Of this ceIebra
ton in the mountainous country which divides
Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy.
Every preteuder at the ~tirrerie, an abbrevi.
ton for tiraiLerie (popping) was bound to appear,
as much as means allowed in foil dress after the
fashion of the Arqucbusicrs Of the %fourteenta
century, and to escort a female. dressed ACCORD.
ingIy, both mounted on brilliantly caparisond
steeds. He who shot the best was proclaimed,
in some places King: in others Knight; his f.
male companion was decked with all the orn,-
ment of the Papesai, and was called htM for
the remainder Of the year. when some other "a
vorire succeeded to an appellation. which las
been so much desired since the time Of our gcG
m other Eve.