New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-18

Gr0undS on sunday, elAteentn lnsLdnlj
would be nearly complete. At least there
would be no more of departure from the
ancient customs in the last case cited than
usually occurs in all modern attempts Of the
kind at imitation.
very large number of our people, all OF
the most distinguished and respectable de-
scription, assembled on the grounds to wit
ness the sports to be provided, but more
especially the knightly tournament. Bat
as the weather had for the fourth
time proved unpropitious and the race track
was wet and heavy, the unimportant side
shows or preliminary sports were either
greatly curtailed or postponed altogt ther.
And as we have all seen horse races, foot
races, and trials of speed between steam en-
gines until we are a little blase in such
things, we pass over the omitted perform
ances, which would have been bore to see
and greater one to read about, and come
at once to very short, very truthful, and
very perfect account Of the deeds of valor
performed by the magnifcently arrayed
knights who entered the lists as competitors
for the crown of honor for deeds of prowess
and agility.
At half-past five the Herald of the lists
blew an immense blast on his bugle Cor one
of the mem hers of the band did it for him),
which attracted the attention of the assem-
bled world to the spot where the tourna-
ment was to take place. Men, women,
children, mules, horses, carriages, buggies,
express wagons, and everything on the
or und capable of locomotion, poured
across the track in an impetuous stream to-
| ward the amphitheatre. The ease and grace
Of carriage which characterized the enthu-
siastic multitude in the general rush for
choice seats or eligible corners were only
excelled by the display of these qualities on
the part of the mounted knights.
The champing, foaming, fiery chargers
came prancing into the ring at speed of at
least two miles an hour, urged thereto by
spurs aud the but-ends of lances. The
battle of Guinegate, in France, has been
called the 'Battle of the Spurs,n because
the knights made better use of their spurs
than they did of their lances. But the
great tournament of our own chivalry is
not amenable to such slur. Our knight,
hCpCh0GO upOu tuNlA SOOh opC1l9
to persuade their chargers to move. Many
of them, indeed, had two spurs, others but
one, while about half the knights had none
at all. Those who had provided themselves
with full complement Of rowels Jared the
best of all. One or two of them succeeded
in riding around the ring with the high
velocity characteristic of horse car, and
without stopping above dozen times while
In full career. Those who had but one spur
did only half so well. They succeeded in per-
suading one side of the mule to
achieve a high rate of speed, while
the unspurred side stood stock still
The motion was consequently circular,
but of course very graceful and
knightly. All that was done and performed
throughout the day was so. Those knights
who depended entirely upon their spear
handles to inspire their steeds with becom.
ing agility Jared worst of all; for while with
the most becoming grace the but,end of the
spear was applied in vigorous thwacks to the
mules rump, the rebound of the weapon
brought the other end in collision with the
animals head, and completely neutralizea
the good effect of the first blow. The result
was that the steeds generally stood
still, apparently in quandary, with the eX-
ception of two or three, who ran out of the
ring backw ward on brisk trot.
But with all these little drawbacks either
arranged or compromised, the trial of skill
soon began. As rule, each knight took as
many rings as he pleased and left the rest
hanging to the gibbets. Owing to the eE'
IRENE modesty characteristic of the mule,
| great difficulty was experienced in return
ing the rings to the Herald's stand. The
steeds all manifested a penchant for leaving
the arena as soon as possible, without being
eomplimented. The order of the Herald
therefore, to "bring in your rings was a
signal for the most strenuous eXertions on
the part of the knight to prevail upon his
long-eared companion to approach the stand
The chief Herald, who was mounted upon
a peculiarly wild, high-mettled, coal BLACK
Arabian, from Attakapas, while in the dis
charge of his duties skipped nimbly out o.
his saddle and landed fairly and squarely on
his head. The coal black steed wheeled and
left him to his fate. The fallen Herald was
however, rescued by his friends, who soor
ascertained that he had no broken bones
and had lost no blood, nor anything
else save honor. Tho sports therefore went
on with undated zest for about two minutes
when all at once it seemed as though each
knightlyirider was seated on an india rubber
saddle. Profting by the success of the
coal black mule from Attakapas, who, since
he had thrown his master had been qui tlS
eating the delicious grass, each long AIRED
| joker went in for a change OF programme
In this amiable intent they were greatly
aided by the fact that the stirrup straps were
as a rule fully six inches too short, so thai
with ever so little pressure Of the feet at thu
moment of the upward spring of the mule
the gorgeously attired knightwas thrown higl
in the air, and descending again to the sad
die rebounded with great elasticity to 81
great height that by the time he cant
down again he found that his mule had gone
and his mouth full of grass, which, of course
was first TO attract his attention wheI
freed from his rider. So it went on-on
after the other the mules sent the Knights Il
grass, and then went there themselves
until finally rider who was able to keep hi
seat came to be laughed at for his want o
success or his graceful efforts.
There was but one lance shivered. and tina
was in consequence OF too violent contac
with mules head.
The manners and language of the spec