Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-11-26


In response to the urgent wish of nv
esteemed friend, tie gentleman who has
been instrumental in getting up this
Tournament at which you are about to
tilt. am here this morning for the pur-
pose Of addressing you few brief re-
marks. Not that feel that words of
mine, even if they fell upon your ears
fraught with the burning eloquence of
Demosthenes, could inspire your hearts
with greater courage, nor nerve "our
arms to deeds of holder daring than
do TIE mute but eloquent glances which
dart from the bright eyes, beaming with
beauty. OF the lovely maidens who have
here assembled to witness yourprowess,
but merely in the performance OF part,
humble, though it is considered desi-
rable in the exercises of such occasions
a. tLis Nearly one thousand years ago.
in the family glimmering dawn of civil
cation, the sport in which you are about
to participate TO-DAY was introduced in
fair France, the birthplace of chivalry
The prize, then as now, was BY the dis
play of dauntless valor and knightly
courage TO obtain the approving smile
of her who held enthralled the heart of
him who bore down before his good lance
all who entered the lists against him.
and to claim the privilege Of proclaim
ing her the Queen of Love and Beauty
whose favor he wore.
The tournav then was too often the
theatre Of accidents, serious ALWAYS. and
frequently fatal to the participants. In
deed. so inspired did these knights of
old often become BY the love thew bore
for her whose brows they sought TO encir-
Gle with the crown of love and beauty,
that they freely risked their lives for
their love. and preferred death TO defeat
Now, thanks to the enlightenment of
the age in which we live. the tourna-
mcnt. whilst stripped Of its daagsra;an
80. = :. -. s1.n Fctains all its chiv-
Dellrv and its incentives to deeds Of valor
which it possessed when Sir Launcelot
tilted at Camelot. and wore upon his
helmet TIE crimsoncd sleeve. embroi-
dered with pearls, the favor of the Lily
Maid Of Astolat To-day each one OF
vuu when he couchcs Lis lance and
charges the ring, will feel inspired and
encoura ged hy the thought Of her whose
favor h. wears, il not upon his helmet,
in his heart of hearts, ana every exertion
will he made to lay At her feet the prize
for which YOU will contest, the emblem
Of LOYALTY in the realms Of love and
beauty. All bloodless though the con-
test he. still each gallant knight will
feel that upon his skill and prowess
will depend tie sovereignty of her who
already rules supreme in his own heart
How many fair Rowera will watch to-
dav with GREATNESS suspense the charges
Of Ter Ivanhoe? How many a lovable
E!aire. at;r { II in her ''towc- to the
East" may IL guarding tie sacred
shield If her Launcelot. and awaiting
with throbb;ng heart and quickening
p"lse his coming who had gone forth to
tilt in her honor
Some Of YOU today must be defeat
ed. hut let the victorious, whoever they
NAV be. show by their demearor to-
wards TIE vanquished that courtesy and
consideration which should ever be dis
played by gallant knights towards a
fallen foe. This cxLortation | deem it
almost supertluous to make, for. as |
glance down your ranks, bristling with
spears, / recognize the features # many
heroes Of other fields. and the knightlv
bearing Of YOU all assures ME that in
you breathcs the true spir:. Of chiyalry
The good King Arthur when he drew
/, LII. e L.
gcthcr under him, made them lay their
hands in his and swear t. love one mai
den only. cleave 10 her and worship her
by years OF noble deeds until they won
her.
lie: each ii YOU to-day perform Your
worship for his '.one maiden only" by
the deeds you shall accomplish on this
field. ard when, with lance in rest, YOU
charge down the lists. let the vision of
her fair face. glowing with JOY for the
triumph Of her true knight, lie ever be-
fore your eyes TO lead you on to vic
tory. And now. gallant knights. know
that Your burning bosoms can Ill brook
further delay. and that YOU are eager
- engage III that contest which will
lead to glorious victory. so. therefore.
shall dismiss YOU with the hope that
victory may perch on the Tanner of him
who best deports himself as gallant
knight. and that beauty's smiles NAV
he ;he guerdon Of his valor
After being addressed. the knights
were marched to the starting point and
he tourrav commenced. We must frs:
explain that in this tournament. three
rings were TO be taken ut each tilt. the
rings being placed about twenty yards
apart, and. besides, the usual honors to
be awarded, there were prizes to he
given to the successful knights.
The following knights entered for the
contest, and opposite each name is the
. result
knight Of the Village ... 1875
q" P. ALL
" 4" VIII If Can. Ills
" &" Patuxent 1901