Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-09-23

Tournament and Fancy Ball at Shocco.
Many of our readers viii no doubt be pleased to
soe a full account of the recent Tournaments and
fancy ball at Shocco, and therefore publish the
allowing from our eetemporary of the Warrenton
Neus.
We congratulate the spirited and gentemanly
,ropretor, Mr.. Sessums, upon the brilliant success
rbich has crowned his exertions to entertain and
,,ease his numerous visitors. -
From the warrenton News
THE TOURNAMENT.
Having received an invitation to be present at this
srlendd affair, we left Warrenten late on Monday
atrening, in one of Wilson's comfortable four horse
stages, and was soon landed safe at Shocco. We
sonnd the establishment crowded with guests, and
as the number was hourly increasing, the prospects
for bed, much less a room, looked blue. But Ses-
Gums is a real trump of . host in q little while all
were accommodated, and long before the mellow
music died away in the ballroom, We found ourself
most gentlemanly and intelligent mate. Dr. w.,
Of Green CO., N. G. At an early hour on Tuesday
morning we found every thing prepared for the ap
nroaching scene. The fitting ground was the
road approaching the hotel. "A post was erected on
each sde aud from the rope which extended across,
was suspended a rod about four feet long, the end
ofwhch was slit for the insertion of ring about three
inches in diameter, covered with red cloth. On one
side was erected high covered stand for the judges
on the other spacious arbor with seats for the spec.
tators The Knights had to start distance of
eighty YARDS and approaching at full speed to carry
off the ring on the poiut of their lance; difficult
feat, requiring quick eye, steady nerves. and more
than ordinary skill in equestrian exercises. From
an early hour in the morning until eleven o'clock,
carriages filled with company we're constantly arri
wing About eleven o'clock the shrill notes of the
trumpet announced all was ready: and the Lady
Judges were summoned to take their seats, to which
they were escorted by Gen. M. w. Ransom and the
Counseors. The following were the Ladies seec-
ted Mrs. Burgwyn, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Battle, Mrs.
Ransom, Mrs. Mcares, Mrs. Brnkley, Mrs Branch
and Mr.. J. W. B. Watson, DR.. Drake, Gov. Branch
DR.. Gbbes, Col Meares, Gen. Bailey and Mr.. Battle
as Counselors.
The Marshal, Erasmus Daniel, ESQ.,, of Warren
CO., distinguished by pink scarf, and mounted on
beautiful charger, led the Knights nine in num-
Der, to the stand when Gen. Ransom addressed
them. He commenced by abiding to Burke's cele.
brated exclamation, "that the days of chivary were
eone," which, however true in his time, was not SO
now. He briefly pointed out the qualities which
distinguished the true Knight; and after pithy,
appropriate and effectively delivered address, dis
missed them to do their best for the honor of their
LADY Love-" We regret we cannot give Gen..
Ransom's remarks verbatim; like everything ema-
mating from him. it left his hearers in doubt which
to admire most the fecitous dction the graceful
delivery.
The Marshal then proclaimed the Knights as fol-
lows:
Col Watson, Of Johnston, N. c., Knight Of the
Dr.. Knight, of Edgecombe, N. c., Knight of Edge
VIM. A. Hawkins, of Texas, Unknown Knight.
Robert Hendrick, of Mecklenburg Va, Knight
Black Gross.
G. Shepard, of Florida, Knight Of Florida.
Jno. Thorne of Halifax, N. c., Knight Of the Gar
VIM Davis, of Franklin, N. c Knight Of the Black
Plume.
j. T. Alexander, of Mecklenburg. Va; Knight Q,
the Golden Gross.
-Royster, of Granville N c., as the Blaea
Knight '--sf
G. W. Davis, of Mecklenburg, Va, Knight Q,
Milford Hauen.
Three courses were then run by each Knight, in
which much skill displayed. The Judges de.
cded that the Championship was between the Un
known Knight and the Black Knight, they having
carried off the ring each course. After exciting
contest the Black Knight was victorious The next
contest was between the knight of the Black Cross
and the Knight of Florida which was decided in "a
vor of the former. The Knight Of the Black Cross
by permission of the Judges, challenged the Cham
pion to another trial, which he calamity accepted
and after deeply interesting display Of skill, in
which victory alternately changed sides, the Black
Knight maintained his position, and was again hail
ed victor.
We have never witnessed more exciting scene
The Knights we're splenddly ccoutrcd, and as they
few past the stand with lance in rest, their success
was announced by loud cheers mingled with bursts
of martial music. which irresistably carried tn
thoughts back to the thrilling pages OF ivanhoe ane
gave a vivid idea of the famous tournament at Ash
BY de la Couch, SO graphically described in that I'm
equaed romance.
When the Marshal again led his brilliant corteg
before the Judges, the Judge, having announced
the victors demanded of them to lead their Ladies
to the Stand which done in the following order
Mr. Royster, of Granville, N. c., as Champion
led forth Miss Hodge Davis, as Queen of Love ant
Beauty.
WA Hawkins of Texas the Unknown Knight
with Miss Irwin as First Maid of Honor
Robert Hendrick, of Mecklenburg, Va, as Knigh
of the Black Cross, with Miss S. Somerville, Sec
ond Maid of Honor.
R. G. Shepard, as Knight of Florida, with Mis-
Burgwyp as Third Maid of Honor.
A splendid carriage being in attendance the Queen
accdmpied by her Maids, escorted by the Knights
and followed by long train of carriages was con
veyed in triumph to the Hotel
Virginia, Texas, and Florida struggled hard forth
Championship, but had to yield the Crown to Mort
Carolins. To a son OF Granville belongs TO glor
of mantainging the honor of the Old North State
in the first tournament, against the skilfu ane gal
liant representatives of the chivary of her siste
States. Messrs Thorne of Halifax, VIM. Davis, 9
Franklin, and Alexander, of Mecklenburg, Va, eac
carried off the ring, and proved themselves fearles
and accomplished horsemen. Their less fortunat
brethren lost no honor in the tilt and will certainl
prove themselves formidable competitors when bel
ter practsed Messrs. Hawkins and Hendricks at
tracted much attention by the graceful management
of their spirited chargers. Mr. Royster may we'll b
proud of carrying the prize from such skllful com
petitors.
Thus closed the first tournament in North Care