Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-11-30

Lone Star-JOhn Eader,
Flving Kite-A Hagan,
Fenian-P. McManus,
Ivanhoe-R. kirwan,
Sehuylkill-J. Thompson,
ChenangO-Capt Harris,
Raven Plume-Benj Dent.
Guard of Honor:
JuDGEs and MARSHAL Masters James Farrell,
Shafer Young, Arnold Yantis, Charles Wentzell
KsreHrs:-W William A. Kirby-Silver Cross; 10
seph Farrell-Cedar Mountain, Benz: hirby-ked-
Hand, James Observation-Disclosures Track, Walter
Yantis-Ivanhoe, Joseph Cox-Schuylkill, John
Overwater-Silyer Star.
Notwithstanding the somewhat inclement state of
the weather, and the consequent heaviness of the
ground and unseadiness of the ring the riding was
admirable, the exercises were cleverly performed,
and the interest of large concourse ofpeople Kept
up to the last.
Althoughpretty hardly driven, RICHARD hRwAS,
the Knight of Ivanhoe, maintained his character OF
Queen-maker, and selected for the first honor OF the
dav Miss ANNIE CocKRILL. The Maids of Honor
selected by Edward Savin, the Knight of the Grey
Eagle, John Eader, Knight of the Lone Star, and
Thomas Kirwan, Knight of Lochinvar, were, Miss
Dora Shecler, Miss Laura Savin, and Miss Annie
Jordan.
As, on the occasion of the former Tournament, the
agreeable task of browning the Queen and her
Maids of Honor, was performed by CHARLES DA-
YVES, of Harpers Ferry, who addressed the knights
as follows:
In the first place, fellow Knghts-that is if you
will permit me, who have vet to win my spurs, 10
include myself in your heroic throng-in the first
place let us confess that the Summer DAYS are gone
The glorious sun no longer ripens pto beauty the
offs oOfunn all his
glory was not to be compared. The Rose, the
Queen of the garden. no longer by the rivulet sits
upon her emerald throne. The summer days are
gone! The thousand tints of the surrounding TO
liage-rivaling those of the rainbow, the cheerful,
crisp bracing dtmosphere,-every air that breathes
admonishes us that we have to be thankful for,
fortunate-but an autumn day.
The Summer days are gone! happily
ga thing of beauty is JOY forever"
There are flowers that are perennial in their love
illness there are roses that never wither; and,
better STILL there sweet, blessed, holy memories,
t. that draw from delight ere it dies,
An essence that breathes of il many day."
These blessings gentlemen, at least. are yours
The selection of these Ladies for the honors OF the
day, secures them 10 YOU. With varying precision
and skill your shafts were well aimed. You have
arrested ''birds of beauty" the wing. You
have preserved for the long winter nights that are
before vOu memories of spring and sunshine In all
their freshness and beauty.
As this is the last time this season, that we shall
meet as we meet to-day, let me take the opportu-
nitv of saving that understand fault is found, in
some quarters. with our exercises. Now, II within
the sound of nv voice. there should happen to be
any of our critics. may ask them ii they under
stand what the real meaning and significance oil a
Tournament is? What is il brings us together in
such numbers to-day? Is it the music? No. A.
rreeabe TO the ear tho the concord of sweet sounds
may be-however cOnsoling to the hearts, tits not
that Is it your craftsmanship? No. Though
every rider were Alexander, and every horse a
Bucephalus, il is not shat. We must look for an
| exclamation in deeper-sublmer source. Deep
in every eart,-fllng each breeze that waits it
self through illimitable space,-improvng the ie-
licitv of Heaven ITSELF are two sentiments. 1t Is
| Beauty that made the Heavens 1t IS Lore that
made Heaven the home of happiness. 1t is Beauty
that formed this round wOrld-that gave to 1t Its
fair proportiOns-that covered its fields with ver
dure that gds refined gold that paints the Lily
that throws fresh perfume DER the violet. Ii is
Lore that gliStens in the eve OF the Mother rs she
gazes on her infant child,-th breathes in every
pressure of the hand, in every beaming glance OF
! the Young wife who is crowned by the devotion OF
faithful husband cheers that lifts up into cxta-
CIV second only to that of Paradise, the Maid. who
first feels that she loves, and that she is loved in
turn. [cheers
Attacking such sentiments as these, criticism is like
the idle wind which we regard not"
Religion approves of them. Purisanical croakcrs,
alone object
4 roies-' Good bye, critics.
Mr.. DAvIES-Nes, we can afford to say that.
"Love rules the Court, the Camp-the Grave,
And men below and Saints above"
The Poet, you observe, saws nothing about Saints
belotr, but adds this magnificent truth
"For God Is Heaven and Heaven is lovev'
Amid the Knights before me- observe colors
that will be excused if say, deeply interest me.
1t is hardly necessary 10 say the Knights of the
Fenian Brotherhood that there are unsettled diff
culties between two great nations. Keep your Ian
! ces ct crest" Keep your armour ON. When Lord
! Clare received orders from the French King To
charge the British army at Fontenoy, he turned to
the Irish Brigade and said. there are your Saxon
! foes-remember Limerick" History on Its most
/ glorious page records the result of that day. In
! any event may their conduct be an example to US
/ Nav their triumph be an omen OF ours lehcers
/ But | am afraid | am becoming too serious. Yet
! what am l 10 do? II / turn round to her Majesty,
and her Maids il is too likely that serious notions
also will come into my head. And of what use
would that be, sinee am not a successful knight!
| would not even have the consolation of SAYING
4 how could mortal msn say, that such grapes were
sour! Laughter and cheers.
Perhaps the best thing can do, is to retreat from
/ field in which can have no chance OF success
In the meantime. permit me to say, Miss ASSIE
COcKRILL. that have great pleasure IN proclaim
my YOU QOEkN or DkAbI1f anu YOU, 1Sduiee, lndIt-
Of Honor; and in wishing you ALL and all here, health
and happiness.
At the conclusion of his speech, three hearty
cheers were given for Mr.. Davies.
! The Tournament Ball, in the evening, was one
of the most delightful that we have ever, anywhere
had the qualification of enjoying. 1t is impossible
to select feature of it for special praise. The Com
pany was numerous. The Ladies were all hand
some. The Gentlemen were all gallant. The Ma
sic was excellent The Dancing was unremitting
The Supper was bountiful. Good feeling was eve
! rywhcrc.
Too much praise cannot be given to Mr.. Richard