Smyrna times., 1871-10-18
The Tournament.

One Of those mock representations of the
ancient chlvalry, so popular In Maryland and
through the south generally, know as the tour
nament, was given at MiddletOwn on Wednes-
day last, under the auspices of the knights of
Pythias of that town. Much interest had been
aws kened in its behalf and the attendance to
witness it was varouSly estimated at from 200O
to 5000 persons. The majority of the specta-
tors, made up Of citizens from all parts of
the State, and the adjacent counties of Mary
land, seem to have been drawn hither more from
curiosity to see what the entertainment was
than from any pleasure they expected to derive
from its intrinsic merits as an amusement.
Although popular and frequent just . across
the line, they have never met with much
favor III this State, aud we believe this is the
first one ever held in our little commonwealth,
at least for many years. But we will proceed
with the details
At about ! o'clock procession was fOrr:ed,
headed by Richie's band, Of Wilmington, fol
lowed by the twenty-sx Knights all dressed
of IN fancy costumes of gorgeous cOlOrs, with
tawdry and tinsel to suit, and mounted on
hery steeds, gaily capariSOned to match the
gold and glitter - Of their matchlesS riders.
Each Knight carried long wooden spear or
pole, in lien Of the "gllttering lance Of
ancient Kuighthood and as they marched
through the town with their heraldS, and atten-
dants, made "A beautiful procession, looking,
( however, more like circus riders on a show day
than like their daring prototypes of he fcudal
ages, we imagine. In this matter of costume,
SO essential to a really fine display, the knights
on this occasion surpassed any tournament ever
given on the Peninsula, is is said. In the pro
ceSslon were also the prizes to be awarded to
the most SkIllful knlghtS-a buggy, ii set OF
harness and afghan. After the parade the
procession repaired to the fitting ground, where
Rev. DIR. McCabe, Episcopal minister 0t Mid
dletown, fulfilled his mission as orator OF the
day, 10y making a short aud excellent ad'lres,
to the kngh,s. He gave "A short history OF
ancient knlghthood and dctenlcd moi"r
tournaments upon the ground that they wrr.
a source ut innocent anu -emrut calculated (,
devcore graceful cqu"strianship and unis ,,la
power. lie lo,el to ser the young enjoy thcm.
selves IN innocent, harmless sports. VIII, tIcr il
be plcnlcs' excursions, crOqret or tournaments
and he thought none but weak minded fanatic,
could object to the latter on the scurt Of moral
lty Ol prOpriety.
Then commenced the titing, or the "hattc
OF the knights to see who could take the mos
rings on the ends of their poles. The track
Tor the horses t. run was about 40 feet wide
fenced on both sides, witt raised seats on til,
one SIDE Tor the spectators and the judges ant
musicians stand and clniags Is on the other
, AHioNN Il SectIon OF the Track We're erected two
arches, distant twenty five yard, from eacl
other From the middle of each OF thcs,
arches was suspended an iron rod, lcrrhing t
within eight and a-halt feet Of the glouud anC
terminating in hook, from which hung ing
two inches and a-hat in diameter. Fact
knight armed with his spear, eight aud a-hal
, teet In length, and mounted on the fleet e<
horse he could command, was to start at dis
tance of hundred yards from the first arch
and. running the entire distance of one hun
dred and twenty-five yards in not less thar
eleven seconds, to take the rings from tn,
hooks as he passed. Each knight was to hay,
three tits. Taking the first ring was to coun
two and taking the second was to count tour
or six for both The highest number attain
able therefore, was eighteen. rs the knight
dashed up the track at break-ncck spec,
the excited audience evince4 the most ntens
Interest. and applauded TO the echo when boil
rings were taken. The following is the scroll