Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-08-18

uc cstaonrnncnts now under the supcrintcndencC o
MI. Ward, u polite aud kind hearted gentleman, aided b,
ar. McNish-who leave nothing undonc to please the Wis.
Tiers. Besides whom, Jones Green, Esq, one Of the pro
pneton, whose estate is near by, gives his personal superyi
e'on "" tue es'aohshment: n gentleman whose fine manners
and liberal views 90 far to win and attach 20 him all who
Know him. while In. lady and family, by their kindness and
agreeable demeanor, give you, indeed, u Virginia welcome,
and make you feel ut once at home. Another pnpprietur
the venerable Mr.. Grey, OF Ftedericksbnrp with hi. LADY
one OF the pillars OF the church, and both alike beloved for
their piety and active habis-are also here. Then ala,
you meet an old patron OF the Springs, Mr.. Byrd Willis. ,br
wtot Virginia, and 'erery INCA a gentiemaa;-with hin is
his interesting and fascinating daughter. Mrs. NJ of Fiori.
da, a lady who, apart from her personal beauty and mental
cndowmcnts, is surrounded by most interesting associations.
Her husband is the son OF the late King of Naples. Name
Icons great and brilliant associate in arms, and she has
proved herself worthy the heroic name she now boars-in
fine,
"Nonc sec her but to love her,
None name her but TO praise"
Then, the estnnuble and much respected Gen. G.. with his
lady and interesting daughter. are here. Asis also his son.
inIaw and lovely wife, Count NJ, the present French Con-
SUI at Richmond a gentleman OF fine sprightly manners,
whose father was the companion of Bonaparte i'm his exile.
There are, besides, some Baltimoreans ut the Springs,
among whom we recognize your friend Mr.. l.. and his very
amiable aud pleasing lady; also, DR.. w, Mr.. r., and others:
while Washington, too, finds in Mrs. +. and her fine daugh.
ter, the brilliant Mrs. &. and the sweet Miss j., daughter OF
Postmaster j, OF Washington, very interesting representa-.
tlvos.
Richmond, Fredericksburg. and the adjacent, counties
have sent up, also, some of their worthless, sons and fares,
daughters; among whom are the Peytons, the Archers, the
Lyons, the Spencers, the Gordous, the Amblers, the Bay.
Ions, the Steuarts, the Marshalls, the Carriers, the Wick.
hams, the Thompsons, aud the Scots; while fair Miss p.
OF fredericksburg, Just bursting, like a rose bud, into tho
iuu Hover OF womanhood, throws u charm even over the
dullest hours.
The Army and Navy are here; and Cap. F., u ~ladies-man
aud a gallant man, well represents the former.
Last but not least we notice our friend Judge C.. an
accomplished gentleman and lawyer, who contributes much
10 the pleasures of the ladies'. Then North Carolina and
Missouri claim MIR. J. L. b. and Mr.. c., Of ST. Louis, both
agreeable and pleasing gendcmen-no forgetting Mr.. d. of
Virginia, and others. But cannot now enumerate all, as
all here are equally worthy OF notice and regard, who in
my next letter shall be duly recorded.
IL is needless To speak of the virtues of the waters, for they
have been fully tested, aud many very distinguished benef-
claHes OF theirhealng power yet live to speak their praises:
among whom Is Benjamin Watkins Leigh, a name dear
10 Nirginia, to eloquenee, and 10 patriotism.
But no praise is like practical knowledge. Come, there.
TORE and send h'her oil your friends who may desire either
rePose, pleasure or health. The journey from Baltimore
here will bring you through a highly cultivated country, and
after n nights rest in Washington, you reach the Springs to
supper.
The routine of business here, is as follows:-We rise
early, drink, IT agreeable, a few glasses OF sulphur water be.
tore breaktast-pIny nine pins, or chess, battle, or fir, with
the ladies till IL O'clock; then eat a lunch, perhaps drink a
JUMP, dine at2 o'clock; after dinner play with ladies', or
sleep I'LL the cool OF the evening; then promenade-take tea,
and prepare TO close the day by an evening ball and dance.
where line music and eyes sparkling like champaign greet
you, and feet meet feet in the waltz or animated coullion.
Thus pass the witching hours I'LL III o'clock, when the
fair retire to bed, TO sleep, 'perchauce to dream" Of love,
&c.
Sometimes we get up the "TaJlaur Viuant' in which
the company take parts, representing to the eve, scenes OF al
tenaie mirth or sorrow from history or romance.
but my purpose IN taking up the pen was to give you q
short description of the Tournament, which come off here,
by previous notice and arrangement on the 81 inst, Ii was
a very thrilling and interesting spectacle, exhibiting at once
the graces Of person and the skill of horsemanship.
In a beautiful valley, bounded by the Ruppahannock NV
er aud shaded by the pimeval oaks under which in by.gone
days the Indian lover wooed his forest maid, and he of the
lion-heart and eagle eye repoSed in native freedsm by his
counsel hres;-in this valley, thus situated, the lists were o.
pened, and at the sound of Il bugle eight knights, fully ca.
parsoned and mounted on melted sioeds, with lances in
rest and vizors down, appeared TO contend for the pnze, and
emulate those days OF chiva,ry in which.
'knighihood's dauntess deed
And beauty's matchless eye"
were honored by the brave. and rewarded by the great.
y ring was suspended from 4 cord, extended across the
ground in circumference as large as a ladies' bracelet. to carry
which on the point OF the lace, with horse at full speed, was
the object Of riyalry.-Among the combatants, MI. +. of an
adjoining county, represented the tall and graceful Knight
OF "Chippewa." Filled with martial spirit, he came To con-
quer-his dress was Tich, and his steed of noble blood. Then
followed Mr.. G. the darkcyed and gallant knight Of crap
pahannock"-a bright falchion at his side, and his lance well
balanced. Following him, on n blooded charger, rode Mr..
b. OF Flonda-the brave and warm-henTted knight of the
"Eyeglades"-grnceiu as his steed, and bright IN his ap.
parel and gaze as the tropic cline that claimed him. Then
entered the lists Mr.. c. Of Eastern Virginia, the proud and
thoughtful knight oftlc "Lowlands."
"For valor he, and contemplation made"
But who is he that now advances-his chestnut steed
champing the impoent bit, and paving the earth, while
bright eyes greet his APPROACH It's Mr.. c.. of ST. Louis,
the generous knight OF the " PridJies," from the far West
he comes and sits like an Indian warrior in his saddle
Now following him appears Mr.. p. of Baltimore, the good
knight Of the "NOrth"-he looked defiance, and victory
seemed to have already welcomed him TO the lists. Again
all eyes are turned, and 10 in ravon. dress with a black
plume in his hat, advanced Mr.. II. of PHILADELPHIA, the
knight Of the "LoRe HedTt,' and most gracefully bowed TO
the ladies'. Last came Mr.. L.. of Maryland, our Herald.
mounted on his grey sieod, an eagles feather waving from
his cap, and a Tartan belt flowing at his side. lie played
MS part most admirably, and as If he felt the love of
chivalry, and tried TO hemld well such gallant knights be.
fore such STAR LADIES'
All things being ready, the knights, in the order named,
at the sound Of the bugle. started for the prize. Terrific
was the speed with which they rushed towards the ring,
with well aimed lance. Upon the first trial, the knight OF
Rappahannock bore it OIL in triumph, aud was hailed by
the waving Of handkerchieis and martial music, as the lie.
raid led him past the judges and ladies'. The spirited
knights Of the Everglades aud the Prairies, and he Of the
"Lonoheart' and Chippewa, bore off also the ring. After
breathing their chargers and adjusting ihoir vizOr, they are
again ia readiness, and again the bugle sounded. The
prize OF contention, his stead once more dashed wildly on,
and he isagain victorious. Among his rivals. however, the
bold knight of the "Eyorglades' now made an effort, and
with triumph was he crowned, having equaled his rival in
carrying the ring Oft twice. Following him, the others essay.
ed To win, but IN vain-they were applaudcd, notwithsta nd
ing, for their graceful bearing and fac horsomanslnp.
The trial for victory, and the crown oflaurel (Which hung
suspended in view, aud which beauty had wcavod for val.
orr was now TO be determined. All was breaihless anxiety
and suspense among the fair: heart beat TO heart and ewes
looked brighter than ever, for the victor Knight would be
soon called 10 select from among them the Queen Of Beau.
~ and Love.
For The last time. the buglc sounds-the Knights have run
their course, and thu Knight Of Rappahannock bears of
with grace the ring, and j. declared the corqueror.
With modest brow, he is lead up by the Herald, who ap-
piouds him in knighhy and touching language, and presents
him 10 the Judges and the fair, IA the "bravcst Of the brave"
Warmly Is he greeted amid the bursts of music and onthusi.
asm-ani for q moment IL seemed rs II the days Of chivalry
had returned. Receiving the crown from the Judges, the
Herald placed IT on his brow; but the moment Of thrilling in
tcrcst had arrived. Ills crown must be shared, and who
will ne select rs the Qucon' was the half uttered question