Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-06-11
OLD ENGLISH SPORTS.
The Picnic of the ST. Georges Society at
James Park Yesterday.


That mythical parsonage, yclept the
clerk of the weather, yesterday proved
propitious to the "Sons of st. George, F"
who have had so many disappOintments
in the way of holding their annual pic
me. After about half a dozen post
ponements, yesterday was finally
fixed upon, train or shine,n and
"Old Sol" shone out in all his briliancy,
and the day was one of the most de-
lightful of the season. 1t vas not too
hot, the weather being tempered by a
refreshing breeze blowing the entire
day. At an early hour the street-cars
were crowded with pleasure-seekers en-
route to James's Park, and when the
SPORTS AND GAMES
and pastimes of Old England COM
menced at five o'clock in the evening,
the attendance was large, the fair sex
predominating in numbers. After sew
eral cotillions, waltZes, schottisches and
varsoviennes had been satisfactorily
gone through by the disciples Of Terpsi-
chOre to the inspiring strains of ArnOld's
capital string bandit ]. Walker, Grand
Marshal of the Day, announced the
commencement of the sports.
A HURDLE RACE
was the initial performance, four on
testants entering for the priZe-a silver
cup. The hurdles, three in number,
were about five feet in hight, and the
course about two hundred yards. At the
first hurdle three of the competitors came
to grief, two falling and the third being
unable to take the leap. The fourth run
ner-George Wilson-tOOk each hurdle
in a flying leap, and was declared the
winner of the prize amid loud applause.
FLAT RACE,
over the same course, followed, also
for a silver cup, for which
there were a couple of contestants.
After a spirited run, Wilson was
also declared the winner by half
a dozen lengths. A large ring was
then made around the dancing platform,
and a pretty little girl, Miss Ella Kill
gour, entered the circle, dressed in full
Highland costume, TO dance
THE HIGHLAND FLING,
which she executed very gracefully, and
received a round of plaudits. Miss Fan
ME Prescott, a smart and pretty girl OF
about eight years of age, was next in
troduced, and danced the Fling i'll such
asprightly manner as to be greeted with
round after round of applause. 1t was
quite evident that she was the general
favorite, but as she was not in costume,
as provided by the rules, the Grand
Marshal announced that both young Ia
dies would receive gold medals, an an
nouncement which was received with
cheers.
Waiting.
After the much admired Highland
Fling by the two pretty little misses
above mentioned, it was announced
from the stand that a gold medal would
be awarded the best lady-waltZer on the
ground. The floor was accordingly
cleared, and the lady-waltzers took posi-
lions, when the music began II a
large number of couples moved off into
the giddy whirl. After a few minutes
"time was called,n and the judges Sc
lected four couples from the many,
when the music again began, and it was
a beautiful sight. These four couples
moved so gracefully and faultlessly that
it was a difficult matter to determine
the victor-sO much so that the confess
tants were exerted almost to exhaustion.
The Judges at last "called time" and
announced that Miss Oracle Daneri,
whose graceful movement attracted the
admiration of every one, was adjudged
the best Iady-waltzer on the ground, the
decision being heartily applauded by
the whole company.
THE JERUSALEM PONY RACE,
the wheel-barrow race, the climbing of.
the greasy pole, were all provocative Of
much mirth, and were greeted with
rounds of laughter.
THE PRIZES
About a half dozen lads managed to
climb the creased pole, and carried off
the prizes suspended at the top. Mr..
Robert Kenslow carried off the gold
medal for being the best gentleman
WALTER. A splendid cake was awardedto
Mrs. Annie Walker, as the most
popular lady on the ground; and one
nicely ornamental was voted to Mrs.
Witt, who keeps the most popular
boarding-hOuse. Mr.. r. J. Walker, the
efficient Grand Marshal, was awarded
the fine gold chain, a he certainly was
the most popular gentleman who at
tended the picnic.
IN THE EVENING
the grounds were brilliantly lighted
up, and the attendance was very large,
all present enjoying themselves highly
till after midnight. The arrangements
of the several committees were excel
lent, and gave general satisfaction to all
present, who pronounced the st. Georges
picnic a grand success.