Nevada national., 1860-03-17
tfor the Nstisnsl.l
CHIVALRY.

The iron bad succeeded to the golden age.
The forms Of civil society had been usur-
ped by anarchy. rapine and murder. Re-
ligion bad been expelled from her native
land; her volaries made captive or slain. her
temples destroyed and affairs dssesrated.-
The lingering rays Of learning sought shsl.
ter and protsction from the Church. which.
alas, but too much needed protection for
herself.
In this chaotic gloom arose q spirit Of pie
ty Of honor and Of love-the spirit OF Chiv-
airy. In this spirit Religion found her de-
fender; honor lie ch ampon and beauty her
protector. Wrongs were righted and injn-
ries repaired. The mothers wall and maid
ems shrek were hushed or revenged. Or
phan's tears were dried-lawless robbers
chsstised. and the rapaoious made TO die
gorge their il-gotten gains Panoplied in
the spirit of Cbivalry, the hearts Of its yo.
taries knew no fear; their bodies felt no fa-
tigue. Heat and cold, hunger and ,hirs,.
were alike braved and courted In the pur-
suit Of their calling. Tyranny and violence
trembled within their moated and csstel,a-
ted walls. Aeannsss sneakingly crouched
aud sought abscurity. Kings. princes and
mobiles enrolled themselves in the Order,
and sought distinction and fame from its pur
suit sad practice for what 90 glorious and
exalted in that age, asa brave, pisus and
courteous knight His calling received the
blessings Of rsligion-his fame Vas sounded
by the songs Of minstrel and troubadour. and
bis gallant deeds received and deserved the
smiles and favors of tn. fair for under his
protecting care, lovelness freely displayed
her charms, and beauty was placed o. loves
throne, safe from all wrongs aud Injuries,
save Cupid's wanton wounds.
A spirit 90 composed OF shadows and sen.
timents, from which has emenated results 90
real, seems not in reaaon or in human an
mails, until we reflect that the history OF
ChivAlry would not be history, unless it was
romance.
The accomplished Knight possessed the
most opposite qualities. He united the
boldness OF the lion with the gentlepsss OF
the lamb. He was undaunted amid the most
appalling dangers, and his clarion notes
are ever heard above the din VI battle, in
the thickest OF the fight. he approaches the
altar OF bis God with the humility and coz
fding innocency Of childhood, and he uhe
had riven the prisons iron bars and broken
the captive's chains, permits himself to bs
bouad by single thread. and imprisoned in
loves silken meshes. The spirit OF Chival-
ry clothed humanity in its greatest need and
darkest hour, in fsnciful draperies Of pur-
pie and Of gold. 1t protected Religion. ex-
snplifed honor, and exalted love.
As the rays OF reason and the light Of
learning advanced, it retired and vanished
Though 1t was able to stand the battles
iron shock, is could net stand the irresistible
irony OF Cervantes And in this utiita-
rian age. the Pilgrim Fedagogue may be
permitted to teach that Chivalry is foolish.
ness, and that the word should be changed
to cavalry. The lingering spirit Of Cbival-
~. however, was carried BY Cortes and bis
followers TO the Halls OF the Montezumss
and by Captain John Smith to the waters
Of the Chesapesk and the swamps Of the
Chickahominy. o,