Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-09-25
TOURNAMENTS.
Their Origin. History and Purpose

We are indebted to the Greenville
ALA Mems for the following valuable
historical paper
The revival OF these exhibitions, en-
gagements, labors, or whatever they may
be, have induced many of our patrons
to request OF us an explanation of their
origin, history and purpose We ap-
proach the subject with diflidence; for it
is so involved in mystery and incom-
prehensiblity that we greatly fear it is
beyond our powers or explanation and
research. We will, however, do our
best, promising that where so many
have differed in opinion, and criticised
so astutely, it must be expected that
there shall be variety of sentiments.
The Tournament is composed OF
three words, turn a mana fool, under
stood
In the early ages of the world, a spe-
cies of insanity seized upon mankind,
called knight errantry. 1t was like the
hydrophobia which attacks dogs, except
that instead of attacking men with the
tooth, it produced disposition to cut
with swords, and run long pixies armed
with iron spears, through mems bodies.
The most ancient and distinguished
head of the concern was an old Spanish
gentleman, named Don Quixotte, who
rendered himself famous by fitting
against wind mills. The invention of
fitting hoops, and the imitation of petit
coats of the present times, is doubtless
the exciting, if not the remote cause OF
the revival of the affection now. One
can see readily the connection. To run
against the wind mill was to tilt against
the wind mill, and if the windmill turned
and cracked a knights skull, ten chances
to one he became crazy II was, there
fore, said it was to turn man a fool, so
when in view of a tlter skirt knight
breaks lance, he is said to fight a wind.
mill, and kind of wiid mill that always
turns a man fool.
The customs of this order are peculiar
A man dresses himself as jackdaw, and
instead of calling himself plain " John
Smith or "Sam Jones" he takes the
name Of the knight of the red cross
or of the knight of the moon" In the
first case he has sewed on his back two
pieces of red flannel, one across the
other, which means that he is red or fiery
cross when he gets mad la the other
he stretches a piece of hide on hoop,
which he calls his shield, and on which
he paints moon, 10 show that be is
moon-struck, and that the man who
strikes him is moon.struck too
When they exhibit, the girls are all set
round, while the knights, on long tail
and short tail horses, prance round in
the ring, and after charging about and
thrusting their poles hither and thither
and yon, ride up to some of the pretilest
girls on the benches, and get down, when
the prettiest girls put on the, knights
heads wreaths Of flowers.
The disease is contagious, and gene
rally ends in making the girls as crazy !
as the men, If any of the girls marry,
or are housekeepers, the infection be-
comes Immediately apparent by the
young woman making up cabbage and !
into nosegays, and boiling the
roses and geraniums for dinner This is
the romance of married life. Some |
foolish people think il is very foolish |
thing for a dozen great, fat bearded |
young fellows, FIVE feet six to SIX feet |
two, TO stick pasteboard helmets on their
heads, to dress in tights, with donblets, |
all ornamented with ribbon and tlnsel, |
aud caper round on lean horses, and
charge about as they do. But nothing
that the ladies approve can be foolish,
and then in this there is. something so
much more improving and intellectual
than in dramatic entertainments, the
only use Of which is to quote on such
occasions. the beautiful extract from
/" I saw young John Smith with his pastebcard
on.
His false calves on his legs rallantly armed.
Rise like tarred and fcathered clown,
pouey.
As ia monkey dropped down from the trees.
To kick and spur his jsded PEGASUS,
Which all the world declared was but an ass.