The Washington union., 1857-08-20
Correspondence of The Union ]
Ilurrtspoudcnco OF thc Iui0n.l
RECORDS OF A SEASON AT THE FAUQUIER wHrr
SULPHUR SPRINGS, VIRGINIA. No 4

ArGusr 10, 1851
List TO the Jugle call li
Mount, gallant knight
Spur the steed pose the lance
For your lady yoa rie.
Make the speed win the ring,
Shall yours whc proud victor -
She sits queen by your side.
All those acquainted with the Fauquier Springs wall
know they are renowned for the tournament revival
with notifications suited TO the age of that civalIc
medieval pastime which is surrounded by halo of al
as handed down to us by the genius Of historian pot
and painter and (Which is useful in day. us tendp
TO keep alive and bring into higher culture that cou
devotion to woman which has SO softening and refpn
an influence upon the "stener sex" Another time w.
would love 10 write fully of the morale of the to
nament but now purpose to gather something IA
amuse from behind the scenes well us to depict what
occurred upon the field and in the festive hall
The tournament just past, having been hastily gotten
up and being, it were, nitiatory 10 the "tounamet
OF the season. to take place presented some novel
features Knights-errnnt anxious to distinguish them
selves in honor of fair friend expended neither time
nor thought upon their garb, but rushing breath
lcssy at the last moment, to enter the lists and Their
impromptu equipment laughable in the extreme
There hunying to and fro in earnest quest of ss
pumes velvets ribands for favors etc. and even ad,
wells served for the military sashes while c
fears were taken to pieces, ''ats untrimmed and te
beautiful featherlike blossom of the seed bearing allan
thus gathered to adon the head gear of the riders One
manly breast we graced by small glove as favor
in fault of riband of the ladys coorand we fanced
inyulnenble than brazcn shield That could but
ward OFF missiles from without This, slight as seemed
could guard the citadel within. But incongruow A,
were the materials fancul and unique as was the sye
upon the field these varied costumes had pleasing
and picturesque effect.
Some OF the riding was very beautiful The G-s
an old Virginia family of numerous branches have al.
ways been distinguished for their fine horscmanshp and
remarkable they in this accomplishment one
might say that, like the learning of Dogbey it como
by nature" Several Of them upon the ground
and did discredit to their established reputation
Sngulary enough one of the elegant riders of The
day, the 'eKnght of Georgia" Qrom Savannah also
bore the same name SO that in reply to the oftquobd
question ''What's in name q we would, in thhh
stance be inclined reply Equestrianism The contest
continued with increasing interest, until at length
amid acclamations and music, Mr.. P of Culpeper was
proclaimed the victor. Mr.. r. of the same county, Mr
G.. of Washington, and Mr. r., of Louisiana the
successful knights for the maids of honor.
The queen Miss s., of Washington then crowned
with flowers and, with her attendants, conveyed from
the grounds in elegant equpage Surrounded by the
knights
In the evening the coronation ball was quite brilliant
throne at the end of the hall had been beautifully
wreathed with evergreen and hundreds of eager faces
were turned to behold the entrance of the royal cor
First came becomngly attired in white, the maids
honor attended by their knights. They were Miss g.
of Washington Miss p, of Baltimore and Miss B., Of
Fauquicr After them the queen, sweet maiden Of six
teen followed with her knight Her dress for we know
we shall never be forgiven by readers if omit
Oh;
med with silver and berthe to correspond. The coom
was of geranium leaves and scarlet flowers, making
tasteful contrast with the black glossy tesscs that d
around her slender form The favor of her knight was
of white fifty chosen emblem Of the purity and limo
cence of her girlhood and than ALL she wore her
honors with s.modcst havior,' more engaging than
every grace that could be lent by any pomp and cu
stance, of the occasion
Upon reaching the throne the whole party ascended,
when the Knight of Washington addressed his queen,
and Immediately after the ball was opened by qadl
danced by the queen and her attendants only after.
wards the dancing became general, and continued til!
late hour.
The next evening fancy ball was given, and, though
it is impossible to attempt to describe all the character
and difficult to make selection where all were good
will try to give you dear readers, such an idea Of the
by portraiture Of will enable you to pic
ture the rest
The dear old lady with Quaker dress is Friend Rachel
Fairfield miss L. of Philadelpa Her neat cap beneath
which the hair is smoothly tucked away the specaces
hiding her mild blue eye; the muslin kerchief folded
smoothly her breast the dun-colored dress t
ing around her hoophss figure and her dcmurc manner
disguise avorite that we only recognise her
her kindly tones she afectionatey asks Friend
how dost thou do this evening 2? While promenading
with Friend Rachel suddenly find ourselves obscurcd
by the shadows of Might and we pause to recall the
poetic lines from the German.
Star surrounded, gold -cncroeI goddess
Thou upon wiuse dark and ample mantle
Thousand worlds shining
Thou who Dearest, gently dearest ALL
Their fiery courses, busy orbits,
ln the strength of everlasting que-
What a song Of triumph IL repeated
Through all worlds thee
Tho iising ieaisr Of the starry chors ~
But while contemplating this lovely vision of Night
the Morning Star beams upon u.s. and we turn to be-
hold the realization of poet dream Aurora could not
be heraded by one more fair. The pcarly star CLEANS
upon her brow the flush of lies early morning glON
upon her check her head and bust enveloped in
roseac Cloud and her white garments float around he
slight and graceful form sAIorning herself stands
her side Upon her feecy drapery the stars have pae
TO their fantcst ssery light but her countenance
fresh and animated is meet to inspire checrfulness The
hearts those who behold her. We cannot turn romtS
group lightly, suggestive, as Ii is of the glorious tran
son from night to morning in the moral in the nat
ural world Oh beautiful star--emblem Of hope
shine thou ever brightly now, leading thy voan"
from darkness to the light of day These excellent person
ations by Miss T., Of Louisiana Miss g., of Wash
and ,,f nff