The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-03
WYE LA BAGATELLE!
TOURNAMENT AT FAUQUIER SPRINGS
To the Editor of the Unio,,

To the Editor Of the Union:
1t may, perhaps, be interesting to some of your
readers, who, for weeks past have been sweltering
under an August sun, to be informed of the deght-
full manner in which we have been enjoying our
selves in this immediate meridian.
Wednesday last the 9th instant was the day
fixed for the grand tournament annually celebrated
here. High expectations had been formed many
knights Of skill and graceful bearing had entered the
lists and, at the appointed hour, the concourse
scmbled on the banks of the Rappahannock had
swelled into thousands A lovelier spot could
scarcely have been selected. The river, skired on
either side by stately and venerable trees, wound
its way gracefully through the chosen field, which
at one extremity was bounded by shady hill,
whose side was resplendent with the beauty Of ma
irons and maidens, who had assembled to witness
the fitting.
At IL o'clock, the bugle sound n, in the distance
announced the approach of the knights, preceded
by the ladies judges in barouches, and escorted by
the marshal and herald.
r. n.sa .af,A af,n 1nnh ,. W. seas, Of Petersburg,
acted as herald. The following ladies' consented to
act as judges, to wit: Mrs. +. R*ss~a" and Mrs d.
assisted by the ladies' of Judge Bss*#, Lieutenant
S*s.<.sss, DIR. Ws"s, and Mr.. d. G*@S**; and by
the counsels of Judge Ts'#s., Judge Ms*, Dr..
Csss.*a, Hon. J. S. P*1s.ss*s, Hon. e. Hsss.s,
Hon. J. M. Bs".., Mr.. M. S. Vss"#sas", and Col
F~&#sx~
The following gentlemen entered themselves as
knights competitors, under the accompanying desig-
nations
!. ]. G. Assess, Knight Of the Spotted Leopard
2. A. w. Gs**", knight Of Falmouth.
3. P***tat Ls**as, Knight of Sans Spurs
4. J. Fl. S***#."s"*.,, knight of Ravenswood
S. - H*'"'*s, Knight CT Chesterfield.
6. L. Possesses, Knight of the Raven Plume.
7. w. J. G"aaa, Rnight'of the Elm
8. E. d. Jssass"s, Knight Of the White Sulphur
Q. B.!sa. passes, Knight Of Caroline.
10. w. II. Ja.'4.s, Knight of Maryland.
IL. r. Fl. Ss~*ss+, Knight of Ivanhoe
10. Mass. Knight Of Prince William.
10. w. II. McQs*s, Knight Of Baltimore.
IA. J. L. Js*s*s**, Knight of Fauquer
Is. J. Ss*s* G**ts, knight Of Rnppahannock.
l6. J. M. P*s**sss, Knight of Warrenton.
II. w. N*%t*a, Knight of the City of Love.
The procession of knights having slowly wound
its way along the course of the river presented t.
self in front of the concourse. The herald in behalf
Of the knights, made the following spirited and au-
morous presentation:
"FAR LADIES: You see before you nobs
band of gallant knights placed foot in stirrep
or lance in rest The names Of some of them are
already emblazoned high on Fame's proud SCROLL
while others will, by their deeds here to-day, shed
fresh lusreon this field, renowned as il is for deeds
of chiva,ry, and acts Of knigbtly courtesy. They
come here to-day with no base mercenary mo-
tive but each comes with the high and noble pur-
pose of contending in chvalrous rivalry for the
honor Of encircng the fair brow of his chosen
one with the victorious wreath. Nor, fair ladies'
must we think that the effects of this days meeting
will be as evanescent the splendor OF the scene
That will soon pass away; but If we could raise the
curtain Of the future, should that the foun-
dation had been laid to-day, Of results which will
endure as long as life itself lasts. For,
Think not the ring on yonder rope
Is the measure OF their toll or hope;
They seek to win the noblest prize
That God has given to mortal eyes
That ring, the pledge Of faith and love,
Which gives taste of heaven above"
The knights then galloping off to their station,
the fitting began.
In the first round, Nos. l, 2, a, 6, 7, 8, 10, and
l6 bore off the ring in gallant Style Just as the
last champion had ended his career a blast was
heard at the northern extremity of the lists and the
herald informed the judges that some disDg uished
stranger, doubtless knight 10 quest of adventures
had arrived The judges directed the herald 10 as
certain who II was and report. After the lapse of
a few minutes, the herald returned, and reported
that sit gave him pleasure almost inexpressble 10
inform the judges that that pink of cbvalry and
flower of the age the world-renowned Don Quix-
ote de la Mancha, accompanied by his trusty
squire Sancho Panza, had arrived and craved per-
mission, when he should have refreshed himself
from the fatigue of his journey, to assert the s-
premaey Of the charms Of his peerless DuIcnea del
Toboso." To this the judges graciously replied,
that the Don's arrival had given them unmxed
pleasure, and they directed the marshal to inform
him that they were impatient to behold one whose
lofty deeds and daring high had filed the ear Of the
world" The marshal soon returned, accompanied
bJ one whom the readers Of Don Quixote pre-
Snsy recognised as honest Sancho, mounted on
.npple. The trusty squire, in characteristic cos
.unN with sky-scraping hat, and formidable sword
anu snrs, and fair rotundity Of paunch, forthwith
apProa9ed the judges, and announced that his re-
n nawneu paster having heard that an occasion had
LA H. n al
1 ~. rim to ask permission to do honor to
NE ns s: o. ms mistress, by proving to the assem-
oe" ,ar onss thar their knights were no knights at
al Notwithstanding the somewhat boastfnI strain