Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-09-17
The Tournament.
CAPoN SpR1Nos, Va, Aug. q6, 1858

CAPoN SPRINGS, Va, Aug. &c, 1858.
This popular and delightful mountain retreat
has fourished this summer. A large agreeable,
and refined company now throng Capon's cool, I
sequestered valley.
Unlike Saratoga and Newport, all here enjoy
social intercourse without restraint or formalitY,
and no passports required to the best society,
except good character and genteel demeanor No !
goldfish aristocracy, no mongrel parvenues, and
no cold ceremonies here impede
''The genial current of the soul"
but vivacty, good feelings and true Virginia hos
pitality prevail.
How refreshing and cheeeful was the aspect of
the Mountain House when l arrived-music and
gay voices in the hall-the forms of women with
their admirers, filling the long portico, in the
promenade.
Sprnging from the coach soon found around
me many cheerful, familiar faces, for the arrival
of the stage produces considerable excitement,
conveying often expected friends and letters, with
the Baltimore Sun, the news bearer Of the day
Here almost every Southern State, and some of
the North seemed to be represented, while Balti-
more and Washington out-numbered all From a
rapid glance of the company observed some of
the most esteemed and agreeable people of Mary
land. [ found the note of preparation sounding
for the long expected Tilt and Tournament, which
were to come off the next day. Knights and ladies
fair were busy in arranging for the rides and fancy
ball.
F'Steed answered steed in
High and boastful neighing,"
and all indicated the rich scenes of pleasure and
rivalry to occur the next morning. Heralds, mar
shas, pages and Judges were with the frightening
morn selected and proclaimed, when, at II O'clock
the bugle sounded. Then, upon platform in
front of the hotel and tournament ground, appear
ed seated ladyudges, as just and spotless as their
own gentle SEX but rather queer-looking justices,
forsooth, with broad brimmed straw hats on their
heads, and robes varied the peacock's plumes.
Mrs. --, of Washington, sprightly, bright
eyed Judge, sat in the middle, supported by 9TH
ers as pretty and grave, among whom l recognised
Mrs. -, of Baltimore, fitted by her talents
and high judicial lineage to administer and ex-
pound the laws of chivalry Beneath them, be-
fore rude table, were several gentlemen Judges,
whose duty it to settle questions submitted to
them by the court of love above, being literally
for the time under pettcoat government.
Again the trumpet sounds, when, led up by the
richly dressed herald Mr. A, of Va, and the
marshal, Mr.. H, of S. c., some eight or ten
knights, upon finely caparisoned steeds, with lance
in rest, bowed before the brilliant assemblage in
the portico, when Mr. L., of your city, dstin-
guished for his wit, eoquence and spirit, at the
earnest request of the ladies' addressed the knights
as follows =
Gallant KnigAts-Summoned at the call OF
Beauty and of Love, you are here to-day, with
lance in rest and champing steeds, to contend for
the prize which chivalry alone win, and wo-
man only bestow. Now shall you prove by your
skill and valor that the days of chivary have not
been extnguished forever; but, in the strong arms
and bold hearts of you, her votares, shall be re-
vived that spirit of valor and rivalry with which
are associated the bright names of Bayard, Ivan
hoe, Montgomery and De Courcy. No pennant>
here or royal banners wave before yOu--the pomT
and pageantry of feuda chieftains dazzle not your
eyes-no mnstrel's song or falcons flight attrac
you--no stars of heraldry or cloth of gold over
hang and encompass you-but far warmer, bright
er, richer Welcomes greet you-the noblest of the
freest land; matrons and fair daughters of Amer
ca smile on you, gallant knights, and cheer you
on to feats of high enterprise. Your heraldry il
freedoms gift; your cloth of gold-the stars upor
her azure flag Then, onward to the tilt and tour
nament, where, in the lists, let
''Knighthood's dauntless deeds be hallowed,
''By beauty's matchless eye
d 70 horse, the trumpet sounds; and
4 cas- faint heart ne'er won fair lady,"
be swift, puissant and victorious.
a "'Tis lovely woman cheers you on;
Be victors, or forever undone.
lie Brighter reward can never move
e To gallant deeds than womans love-
After the applause which followed this brief ant
appropriate address, the knights rushed to tn
bugle's call at the suspended ring. Swift and ex
citing was the contest, and for hours the struggl
: was warm between the knights of Stafford and tn
D lowlands- followed closely by him of Hardy, Is
sex, the White Plume, Virginia, and the rest
Intense indeed became the excitement, when tn
classic face and dark locks of Hardy passed befor
the ladies; or the fixed eye and well aimed lane
of the lowlands and the valley dashed forward q
the prize But it's vain, the gallant knight {
Stafford, Mr.. P, has won the honor and tn
.c crown; upon his brow the green wreath is no
placed by Mr.. L., warning him that it is the oni
n diadem republican should wear.
H. Now all is anxiety and stir among the ladies,
r. to whom will be offered that crown, and selecte
as the queen of beauty. Soon, however, he hi
decided; the interesting Miss , of Georgii
&c is the chosen one. To lovely dark-eyed daugt
ter of Winchester due homage was paid, for wit
n two agreeable young ladies of Washington, ST
nd shone in the ball as Maid of Honor, and wit
nd her fascinating sister, the observed of all obser
ers.
At night followed the ball, where the youn
al. queen was enthroned amid garlands and flower
The dance-the watz-music, and gaety no
rule the hour. Sweet children dressed as cupit
and nymphs-the rich dresses of the knights ar
matrons proud, passed and repassed in the dane
like fairy scene. A rich banquet closed Il
midnight hours. After which all was indistin
with your humble servant, and memory, ''the wo
der of the brain, . went to sleep. HOWARD.
~4~-.~o-~~~~~.~,~~~o~--~>--~~~~~
= The Bloomer costume brings advantages som
=, times to the sterner sex. One of our Ohio e
oao changes tells story of husband and wife, VIII
1 Al. 4 II 1