The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-31
THE FETE CHAMPETRE.
THE GRAND TOURNAMENT

heart De lull OF cnarlty and desire Tor It's COM
summation; though his pen be tipped with deli.
cate courtesy" or pointed with humor, and an
lrviDg's or Dickens's power of description !;
though he be ubiquitous, and possessed of the
eyes Of an Argus; though, in short, fully capable
of any ordinary undertaking, shall attempt so to
delineaie what occurred at the Tournament, that
those unfoftunstes, who, by their own folly or
unavoidable causes we're prevented from attend
| ing. may see, as in mirror reflected, the whole
| picture?
There must have been at least twenty thousand
| people, young and old, on the grounds. ".
would certainly have thought so had it become
| your painful and anxious duty, dear reader, to
search among that vast collection of people for
missing relative or friend. Streams of people
| we're rushing in all directions; ladies in white
ladies in lace shawls, gentlemen in black, gentle.
in white duck children, babies, nurses and
popcorn dealers all mingling together in such
confused mass that even now in each ones minds
eye the scene Of that green lawn, so plentifully
bespanged with beings, must be as fresh as it was
yesterday.
great many had postponed their visit to the
fete to the last day. while, Of course, all those
who had been there once came again. The new
arrivals, in words similar TO her majesty the queen
of Sheba, thought the half had not been told
them, and only regretted that they had not been
there Oftener. So when finally the bands began
70 play, the crowds came forth from the shady
places where they had been cooling, after the
fatigue Of the journey thither and entered the
spacious amphitheater. By the time that the dis-
tant bells had sounded the hour of i've the seats
were filed, and the semicircle of benches rising
one above another presented to spectators on
the other side an enlivening spectacle of waving
fans, futtering ribbons. and every variety of
colors.
The center stand had been tastefully decorated
with flags and evergreens, and was occupied by
the officers of the Fete Association and the dele
gates from the various charitable societies therein
represented. Upon table toward the front were
arranged the various prizes to be distributed
among the fortunate contestants in the five days
sports, while directly in the front center, upon a
carpeted floor, were placed three large arm
CHAIRS of antique workmanship, destined for the
en'hronement Of her who by the winning knight
should be pronounced Queen Of Love and Beauty.
So, when five O'Clock came, the heralds sounded
the signal with their trumpets and announced
the lists open to all gallant knights. Thereupon
the gates were opened, and entered the following
gallant competitors
"Sir George" knight of the Southern Gross
cOlors red and white: Mr. Nichols.
Z" sir Stuart" The Unknown Knight-colors,
light blue +; Mr.. Cottman.
Sir William" knight of st. Charles-colors,
green Mr.. McCutcheon.
!" Sir sidney,n Knight of Kentucky-colors.
"Sir William Knight of st. Andrew-colors
-; Mr.. McMaster.
"sir john" Knight of Day-colors, lilac and
lilac; Mr.. Denegre.
''Sir Francis" Knight of 0rient-colors, blue
and white; Mr.. Escheman.
Sir Payton, Knight of the Sleeping Leopard
colors, red black, red white Nr. Lynch
Sir Francis" Knight of the White Cross
colors scarlet; Mr.. Lumsden.
"Sir Percy" knight of the Lone Star-colors,
gold and black: Mr.. Tunstall
:" Sir Robert" Knight Of the Pearl-colors,
red, white and red; Mr.. Pitkin.
"Sir Arthur" Knight of Orleans-colors,
orange and blue; Mr.. Blanc.
"sir Edward" ChevaIier de la Belle Creole
colors, white; Mr.. Manning.
"sir George" The White Knight-colors,
white; Mr.. Converse.
"sir Edward" knight of the Crusade-OolOrs,
Sir Addison" knight of Msgenta-coIors,
magenta Mr.. Herndon.
"Sir George" Knight of the Old Dominion
colors, pink and white Mr.. Baum.
Sir Reuben" knight of the Golden Gross
colors, red and white; Mr.. Pleasant.
Sir Henry" knight Of the Slim Chance
colors. lilac and white Mr.. Phelps.
"Sir William" The Black Prince-colors, pink
and white Mr.. Ford.
This cavalcade as it passed through the gate
wsy and made the circuit of the arena, reminded
one of those scenes which Walter Scott has so
beautifully pictured in his Talisman or Ivanhoe.
The glistening helmets, huttering plumes, rich
saddle cloths and coats OF mail, and the colors
streaming out from each lance head, carried
one back to the days Of that chIvalry, when
knights met in the joust to vindicate with
their lives their fair ladies' hands. There was
a murmur Of applause as they rode around the
circle, and then passing out as they had come,
drew up in line, each TO await the bugle blast an
nouncing the time for his entry to the arena as a
competitor.
And it was a contest in which no inexperienced
hona for
intervals. around the circumference of the
arena, stood FIVE upright beams, with a cross
piece at the top, projecting foot or tive
over into the ring; from each cross piece was
suspended q wire about two feet in length upon
the end of which on a hook, was a disc or ring,
two or three inches in diameter. Now, each
knight being required to make the circuit in
Il seconds, was expected also to carry of upon his
lance all five Of these rings. To effect this,
no little dexterity, and at the same time
a great presence of mind in guiding
the horse are necessary, 10 view of the
weight of the lance. and the speed at which the
knight must ride. IL was provided in the tilt Of
yesterday that each knight should make the cir.
cult twice, the one carrying of the highest mum.
Der Of discs 10 be declared victor.
So the fitting began, and the vast audience
looked on, following each rider around with eager
eyes: There was to be heard, as each ring was
reached, asmothered count, Il, "2, /" "3," al ;"
"5," from thousand lips, yet sounding like
the whisper Of one gent voice, or iike the quick
breaking Of a great wave upon the sea shore.
Meanwhile from the northeast came slowly up a
great, ominOus thunder cloud, brooding death
and destruction to lace bonnets and tarleton. Il
came slowly, bat it was evidently approaching,
for now aud then a distant peal reminded
people that there was no roof over their heads.
10 fact, over all the immense sssemblage. that
dark cloud hung through the afternoon, mena
cling as the sword of Damocles, snd a good
many left from sheer nervousness about it,
But the apprehensions proved next to ground
less, iOr the storm did not come-there were only
few drops, vivid flash or two; and then, just
as the fitting finished, every one deserted the
arena, it having been announced that the corona
ton OF the queen, az well as the distribution of
prizes, would take place in the 0ctagOnal Build
ing. Tbther then went everybody, only to
return again in quarter Of an hour to the seats
which they had vacated in the amphitheater.
-Four Of the knights had in the first tilt estab-
lshed an equal claim to the privilege of selecting
the fourth maid Of honor, and among them, in
consequence, second contest must ensue. The
next trial narrowed the number of competitors
down to two, and then further trial gave the
victory 10 Sir Addison, knight Of Magenta. The
msrsha of the lists then came forward. and after
duar no4so hv-4b h. h. AZ Al O;-