Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-10-06
THE GALLIA COUNTY FAIR
CO.'S SECOND EXHIBITION.

| The Fair which is ABOUT 10 cone
off on the 18th, 18th, l4th and 10Th
of this month, is expected to be one
of the most attractive of any that
have been yet held on the Company's
grounds. Premiums are literally Of
fered to induce the grestest possible
amount of competition in stock,
whilst purses of considerable sums
are to be the reward Of the owners of
the fastest horses in their several
lines.
Foot races are also to form some
Of the days doings. But novel
and very attractive portion of the
programme will be "the Tourna-
ment," and as this amusement is not
generally understood, a few words in
explanation may not be out of place.
The Tournament, or Tourney. was
martial sport much in vogue
amongst the Norman Chivalry in the
early and middle ages. 1t differed
from the "Joust" in that the former
consisted of a mock battle, where
several were engaged On either side,
while in the latter, two Knights only
were opposed, one to the other. In
both instances, however, it was
but rough fun; where men clad. in
armour, with horses caparisoned in q
similar manner, rush on each other
at top of speed, and with lance in
rest'' sought out the most vulnerabR
point of his adversary, in order tg
unhorse or kill him, as he best could,
To handle horse and WELD lance
dexterously, so as to be proficient in
such dangerous pastimes, became
therefore, one of the most essential
points in the ed ucation of the youth
full aspirants for military honors in
the good old days; ere the Mangonet
gave way to the cannon, or the
cross bow to the musket, and
mailed warriors were no longer proof
against leaden bullets. To attain
this superiority and give that neces-
sary steadiness to eye and aim, many
games were resorted to; all athlet-
ic exercises, were held in high repute
such as quitting the weight" !"
"drawing the bar" "throwing the
sledge," running, jumping, and di
vers other means of muscular devel-
opement, were had recourse to; but
"rIding at the ring was the one es-
teemed most Of all, because it re-
quired the possession of so much
skill to achieve success. A steady
seat on horseback. quick eye and
entire control over the animal. Ali
these games were made part of "the
Tournament" and the most doughty
knight thought it not beneath him to
compete with the Juvenile aspirants
for honors in the less dangerous
sports. 1t is this latter portion of
"the Tournament" therefore, which
we shall have the pleasure of wit
Messing at the approaching Fair.
The "lists" will be upon the race
track, 100 yards in length, from the
starting point to the Arch-which
distance must be ridden within s Sec
onds. The feat which is to be per-
formed consists in detaching and
carrying off ring hung from sn
Arch, under which horse and rider
must pass at the above mentioned
rate of speed. Each competitor will
run three courses, and he that carries
off the greatest number of rings will
be the winner of the prize and the
hero of the day-to be afterwards
crowned by the Queen of beauty;
damsel chosen by Court of Ladies,
to be held for that purpose. The
competitors usually choose some
name on entering the lists, such as
"The Knight of the Leopard" ''of
the Oaken Branch" &c, &c, and are
clad in some fancy costume, wearing,
if he pleases, same color or badge,
such as is worn by any lady he may
please, and to whom he devotes his
services; defying all who may con-
test his assertion of her beauty.
The list of prizes, DC, will be seen
in another column.
A Ball will be given in the evening
of the 14th, where the successful
Knight will be crowned.
N. B. AS this sport will require
a good deal of practice, persons in
tending to compete will be permitted
to enter the grounds any day during
the interval between this date and
the day anterior 20 the Fair.
A. L. LANGLEY, PREs'T.
J. P. ALESHIRE, SEc'Y.