The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1873-12-11
For the Jeffersonian.
Vsse Esederse Tournament.

In Virginia, Maryland, and a few Southern
counties OF PENNSYLVANIA, some of the people
find amusement once a year at tournaments
During the sge of chivalry knight was accus-
toned to meet knight in mock combat at tour
naments. In many instances feelings of enniity
were created between ambitious knights, who
would satisfy their hatred by staying their op-
moments. The tournament Of the nineteenth
century is also pervaded with the spirit OF
combativeness but it is not ain institution de-
signed to facilitate the requirement OF skill
which knights may apply in destroying each
other.
Not long since l witnessed a tournament at
Gettysburg, Pa. At least a thousand people
were assembled on ihc fair ground, at the above
named place, to witness the feats of the chIv-
alric sons of Adams county. At the proper
time the competitors for the honors of the day
came riding forth in splendid array. The
highest honor at the modren tournament is
awarded to the knight who takes off a suspen-
ded ring with spear while riding at full speed
on horse back, the greatest number of times.
Little enthusiasm was manifested on the part
of the spectators; but the actors seemed TO be
interested in their contest for the honor of chief
knight To me this performance was a novelty.
The performers presented fine appearance in
their rich suits of velvet, as they gracefully
rode, each one with spear in his steady right
hand toward the mark. Whenever the ring
was taken of, the crowd would fully applaud
whenever the ring was missed mutterings, ex-
pressing the regrets that some youthful hero
was so unfortunate as to miss the mark, would
be heard from excitable damsels who were per-
sonally interested in the combatant. After
contesting two hours the first part of these
novel exercises closed the highest honor hav-
ing been won by fat young fellow whose
homely appearance, when close to him, seemed
to terrify some of the ladies.
A platform was tastefully arranged for the
orator of the occasion, the queen and maid Of
honor for the chief knight was permitted tc
choose from among the crowd, young lady
whom he would crown queen. Well, thi:
fat young fellow of whom l have spoken, re
ceived five refusals. But he despaired not ana
with all the politeness at his command, asked
the sixth young lady if he might have The
honor of crowning her queen Of this festal day
She without much hesitancy condescended
Then the second, third, and fourth knights
with their maids of honor, the first intrepid
knight with his fair queen and the orator tool
their places on the platform. The defeated
knights remaining mounted, formed in line il
| c,i,o LOT +hax-
unobstructed view of the crowning ceremony
! 1t was necessary for the champions lady Il
remove her hat before she could be crowned
This, however, proved an embarrassing affair
| for, the lady, | presume, became so excited ol
the occasion of promotion from a plebeiai
condition to the position Of lofty queen, tha
she had entirely forgotten the significant fac
that her faxen hair was still done up in paper,
Poor thing there she was before titterin
crowd. 1t was enough to make one smile l
see the young lady's method of curling he
hair publicly shown. She was somewha
uneasy as the crown was carefully placed anon
the knots and horns Of her hair. The closin
exercise was an Grafton delivered by youn
man of Gettysburg. He proclaimed in glow
ing language the cause ofchivalry. He ;acitl
assumed if not expressed that it would contr
butte to the enlightenment Of the nineteent
century, if talent and genius were everywher
united in the revival of the spirit of chiyalry
The orator contended that the highest achieve
ment of worthy ambition at the present day
as in the medieval ages, should be to win tn
hand and heart of fair lady; and that tll
place TO accomplish this is at the tournamen
/ admit that it is laudablc thing to obtai
honor for the sake of woman; but emphaticall
dissent from the opinon that the tournament
the place where noble woman can receive tn
proper acknowledgement of her virtues by be
ing chosen queen by some man who has onl
excelled in simple trial of physical skill.
On leaving this place of amusement l cam
to the conclusion that the modern tournamen
is tame affair even if it is tinged wit
morality. HALIFAX.