Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-10-05

! eitiyalry as an unseemiy monument 81 kge iea
1 II III the middle age. aud to aif~st to sMirvey
| tbe esrge }3~ly Illustrated acts oftbe daring
kaights of1ti,at period as tFisias ccntenEbf
ole aud. unsrndaesiye of consequence But
the philesopbic contemplation, who looks pros
/ foundly into the origin. history and progress
of society perccises this institution TO bave
been the rational product from the confused.
diseordant and, chaotic state Of the elements
of the principal nations Of Europe az that
fpericd. The disorders aud Irregularities that
prevailed. ancircumsaribed By law and I'M
checked BIZ authority. devolved upon every
man animated with. any sense sot hpnors or
moved by any impulse of INDEPENDENCE. to
become the arbiter Of bis own rights and the
/ avenger OF his avn wrongs and the wrongs
| and Insults of the helpless. Very soon an
4 ameliora,ion followed in social life. and the
/ internal structure of society was not only ma
lterially changed. but Improved beyond con-
teeptioc ,fhe presence Of large body Of the
most independent and fearless spirits in every
| community, whose countenances were turned
against every species of wrong and oppression.
! aud insult aud violence. was. an effectual
check TO the predatory, the lawless and the
reckless Like the towering secsy beach of
the ocean. breasting and rolling back the sur
ging pillows. they arrested and turned to their
source the waves Of popular wrong corruption
aud outrage. and upon each successive repul
sion aeufeebed their force and violence. No
one can estim ate the measure ofrcvolutionary
reform and amehoraiion produced in society
BY the institution and exercise Of knighthood
10 proof os this ] may barely alIndef to the
fostering care and encouragement bestowed
upon ID by the most potent and renowned
monarchs Of Europe many OF whom enter
ed the lis, in person. In this body of men
they reposed their confidence against foreign
/ foes, and trusted for protection against the
insolence and violence Of their own naughty
and combinations subjects. Indeed they
looked to this elnss of their SUBJECTS more
than their own authority and efficacy Of their
laws to restrain and keep within bounds Of
moderation the ever restless spirit Of the dis
contented multitude II we transport our
selves upon the wings of fancy back through
the gloomy vista Of time, to the period of the
caviliers in the age of Charlemagne, and the
inilites of the 18th, 12th and 18th centuries,
and subject to our perusal and critical review
the massive historic records If the dominant
nations living and acting their parts, we SHALL
be confirmed in the assertion of this fact.
But am admonished by the passing mo-
ments not to dwell longer on this Interesting
theme You. gallent knights and gentlemen.
have not been tremendously presented with
arms, enrolled and detached for such SER
vice, No fierce rencounters or sanguinary
engagements with accidental champions or in
verterate foes await you. You live in a
brighter period. of the worlds history, under
happier auspices 1t is true the training and
discipline to which ycu subject yourselves
have an admirable tendency to render you
hardy. active, adventurous and bold and
should crisis in your Country's affairs ever
arise periliog its safety and requiring your
services, you would be the better prepared to
endure the fatigues and exercises incident to
campaign; to face the adversary and make
the fearful charge, than If unskied and I'M
practiced in these accomplishments. But
your offices to- day are of more pleasing ma
ture, aud NAV be discharged without the hos
tile manoeveriag and filing of, the angry on
set, and shivering OF lances that Constituted
the grand sum of the renown Of ancient
knighthood. You enter the lists, not to
mingle strife and confusion, IN blood aud ear
mage nor to deserve or win the spoils of van
qaished opponents; nor to resent insults or
punish outraged innocence; but to contend
in the spirit of amity and courtesy for the
prize of beauty. The reward Of your toll and
skill will be spotless innocence peerless vir-
tue, and matchless beauty. The smiles of wo
man, heavens last best gift, the paragon ofcre
alton, the source ofman's suhlunary bliss, are
before you, Enough. these. to satia.e the
most quenchless and unbounded ambition
Then 60 enter the lists and may fortune assist
the brave. aa III se fea +TgaH
The address being concluded the contest
for the prize commenced The ring was ta
ken one the first tilt by the Knight Of Tus-
carora. Gcoffray de st Faud, Alonzo de o
Geda. Rob Roy, Red Bird, Knight of the
Valley. Ivauhoe, Knight of Ceder Grove,
Knight. Of Berkeley, Richard Occur de Leon.
Wallace Knight Of the Yard Stick, Harry
Hot Spur, Knight Of Darkesvile, Nobody
Nothing and Knight Of Jefferson. On the
second by Geoffray de ST. Faud Al9uzo de
o Geda lvanhoe. Knight of Berkeley, Wal
lace Nobody Nothing and Knight of Jeffer-
son. aeaa 1at tu4 %
Nobody Nothing alone, taking the ring
three times SUCCESSFULLY was declared the vic
tor. The contest for the first maid Of honor
was decided in favor Of Wallace for the 2ud
in favor of the Knight of Berkeley; for the
3rdin favor Of the knight of Jefferson.
The Knights being drawn up to make Sc.
lections from the array of beauty before them,
the Herald proclaimed Mr. NJ Turner the
successful knight, and be chose Miss II. Du-
gan Queen of Love and Beauty. She was
then conducted by the Herald to the Presi-
dent who thus addressed her: a5 sf4fe
Fam QUEEN OF LovKi:-- | place this crown
upon your brow in token of the exalted sta
ton to which you have been raised on account
of Your confessed graces and beauty It is