Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-06-05
DAILY EVENING STAR.
g.1rIaoRE CORRESPONDENCE.
BALTIMORE. June 4-10P.M

BALTIMORE, June 4-10P.M
our city lust, at this time, is full ofco.n-
motion and crowded with strangers.
Several German Turner" Societies,
numbering in all, probably. one thousand
persons, arrived here on Saturday evening
from Boston. New York, and Philadelphia.
They came to Join the grand Turner Fes-
tiyal, which commences tomorrow. The
Baltimore Association, which is very
lar-e. met them at the landing, when a
grand torch light procession was formed,
and the visitors WEI 4, escorted through
various streets with music, banners,
tranSparcncies, &c. 1t was decidedly
beautiful display. and passed off with
praiSewOrthy order. The various exer-
clseS tgyLmastic, &C. of these assocla-
tons at their festivals ale peculiarly IN
tefeStIng. They dance, waltz, rum Jump,
sing. play, and participate in thousand
other a1Ausements, peculiar to the Ger
man character. | have heretofore at.
tended some of these Leetings, which
were held at the Cattle Show Grounds.
With one among the many of their SIM
PIE and innocent entertainments | was
peculiarly struck. ! will describe it as
near as possible. 1t is called in English
the challenge. A rope embracing cir
cunlcrence of probably three hundred
feet, is fastened upon stakes at regular
distances, and about waist high. Inside
of this circle may be seen from fifty to
sixty, or more, rosy, healthy, blooming
young German girls, handsomely cos
tuned. active as cells and full of mischief
On the outpostS stand as many beaux,
candidate for the challenge, forming a
ciEcleas large ascan get one hand upon the
rope. 1t is the privilege of the bellies in
side to challenge the gentlemen for kiss.
She has the right to select whomsoever
may have his hand upon the rope, and
III Going SO generally chooses one best
suited to her fancy, and skilled in the
delicate, Iuxuriant art. This she does
by touching his hand, lightly, gently,
quickly, which being interpreted accord
ing to tlc laws of the play, is undcr-
stood to give full privilege to the gentle |
men TO scale the ramparts, enter the
ring and give chase to the fair damsel.
II he succeed in catching her before
she reaches the opposite rim of the circle,
ne s fully entitled to kiss. This is al
ways taken and given in good faith before
the entire audienoe. One, only, is the
allotted number, but if the maiden be
handsome, tue opera ion seldom ceases
under three, four, or a half dozen. 1t is
quite q difficult feat to catch a belle who
Is fleet of foot before she makes the diam
eter of the circumference, more especially
when she tries: but my observations, su-
peIinduced the irresistible inference, that
very few went at the top of their speed. |
There is something in human nature re-
pugnant to the idea of running away from
q good thing, whilst on the other hand
he who Is IN pursuit thereof will re-dou-
Dle exertiOns. In this state of affairs the
challenge almost invariably ends ina kiss
The play Is based upon the broadcast demo-
cratic principles. A ticket of admission
TO the entire festival also admits the
holder to participate In all the minutiR.
Thus, whoever can find room to place
his hand on the rope is liable to be chal-
lenged, and entitled to kiss if he can
overtake the fair, intrepid challenger
before she reaches the opposite boundary.
\ spectator 70 these scenes may observe
plenty Of our young bloods, and not few
married men, holding on to the rope,
-rhlIe- n.l-e-r, dared W the chase, are in
side, in that pursuit, some having caught
the prize ana taking the forfeit. 1t is
really admirable sport, and wholly in
nOcent. Would not some of your Wash
lng,On readers esteem this festival worthy
visit. 1t takes place at the Cattle Show
grounds on tomorrow, Tuesday, and
Wednesday. There are several bands
and corps of singers III attendance, who
pdrpOSe giving a grand concert before the
festivities close.
1he races over the Herring Run course
commence tomorrow, though the main
sport and greatest racing will be towards
the latter part of the week. An unus-
uaIiy large number of strangers are al
ready in the city, and We expect perfect
thrOng dtIrinc the week The s'light
fingered gentry" are also here, well re-
presented. \ timely caution, therefore
= hands on your pocket books" may not
ne amSs.
i good deal of anxiety Is felt here to
know the result of your municipal cleo
ton tomorrow. The ''Know-N othings"
say their cause will triumph. AS it is
10 be a test, in some measure, of the
strength of that mysterious order, in
Washington, strong desire exists to hear
the returns. Whether this association
Is 50 organized that its members know
precisely what they can or cannot do,
am unable to say, but some persons here
attached to the order, intimate that they
will carry Washington. 4 short time
will determine the fact. RODERJCK.