The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-05-20
A Partisan CarrOusel.

Gdlignanis Messenger says: Upwards
of fifteen thousand persons were present
at the military spectacle given at the
Palace Of Industry, by the pupils of st.
Cyr and of the staff. The whole of the
nave of the building was boarded round,
and strewed thick with sand, forming a
splendid arena more than two hundred
yards long and fifty wide. The eques-
trian performers consisted of two troops,
each composed of Captain-Ecuyer, two
twent-six pupils, all in full uniform,
their horses richly caparisoned, the
names being knotted with galloons of diff
ferent colors to distinguish the squads in
the evolutions; in the center. mounted on
magnificent thorough bred formerly in
the stable of M. Delamarre, was Com
mandant de Lineries, chief Of the Ecole
d'Equitation at st. Cyr, one of the most
elegant horsemen in France, and fear
less rider, who, few years back, was
frequent visitor at steeple-chases at
Vincennes and La Marche. In the list
of young men who competed might be
remarked many of the noblest names in
France-De Brogile, De Saint-Simon,
De Dampierre, De BOuille, De NexOn,
etc. After a series of maneuvers bril-
liantly executed, the feats of address
commenced with fitting at rings, which,
after the ties had been played of, M. De
Fouchet remained the winner, and was
conducted before the Marshals stand to
be decorated with bouquet of stream
ers, to which was also added handsome
field-glass. For the course DIES tetes, which
came next, half a dozen pasteboard
heads were set up on little mounds of
sand, about the height of the stirrup,
at equal distances along the lists, and
the aim of the competitors was to ride at
full gallop, and bending down in the
saddlebow to carry them off on the
sword. Few of the riders failed to
secure at least one, and several even got
up to the fourth but beyond this there
was some difficulty, as, If the blade was
not pushed home through the first heads
spitted, no part of it remained free for
the next. At last M. de la Selle succeed
ed in impaling FIVE, and waving his
sword thus charged to the point above
his head, received his rosette of ribands
and handsome saber. A wooden target
with mask painted on it was then set
up in the center of the arena, and each
horseman was furnished with a javelin to
hurl at the mark as he rode past. Some
took their fling too far of, and the
missile fell short others sent it beyond
the butt, and good cast generally re-
ceived cheer, even if it failed hit the
mark. Twice the target was struck, but
the darts rebounded and fell to the
ground. At length M. Des Mares made
a splendid throw from distance of about
twenty yards. and his shaft remained
quivering in the board, in which it en-
tered with such force that some effort
was required to draw it out. His prize
was silver-mounted riding whip. Great
admiration was excited by the skill with
which the riders, after traversing the
lists at full gallop almost to the barrier
at the opposite end, suddenly refined in
their steeds and drew up in file. This
part of the proceeding terminated with
the quadrille and parade; the eques
TRANS being drawn up in three lines Of
ten abreast at each end of the arena
charged, passing as they met throug h the
opposite ranks, then wheeled round and
repeated the figure. Then followed the
most intricate evolutions, forming large
circles, breaking up into smaller ones
winding about in sinuous lines, pivotine
around a center, ETC., the riders al
carrying fitting lances bearing gayly
colored pennons. The spectacle termi
mated by the jumping with chargers by
pupils of the school Of the staff. During
the afternoon the sun shone brightly
through the glass roof of the building or
to the brilliant crowd below, delightinl
the eyes, while the ear was charmed with
the excellent music of the Garde Re
publicaine.