Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-02-10
TABLEAU I-CHIVALRY.


SCENE-A mountain surmounted by the
cross, the figure OF christianity grasping it
and pointing TO heaven. NJ. George Staying
the dragon; a christian knight in combat with
a Moslem warrior-victorlOus.
The first car represents "ChivaIry,U
that strange but poetic idea Ofa past age,
which is presented in such fascinating
colOrs in some of the characters por-
troyed by Sir Walter Scott. knights
wandered from land to land, attended by
their faithful squires, in search of ad-
ventures. Their self-impOsed duty was
to succor the unfortunate; to fight for
the oppressed; to deliver those who were
uniustly imprisoned; to give protection
to the oppressed. Above all, it was their
solemn obligation to serve the fair lady
to whom they had dedicated their ser
vices; to proclaim her charms in castle
and in hall, and to maintain them
against all corners in the lOrdly tourDa-
ment. Those who have read the cele-
brated description of the tournament in
Scott's IudThOe, would recognize the
scene of chivalry displayed in the beau
tiful picture present in living models to
the eye. Such scene forms a fitting
introduction to the discovery of Aneri-
ca, knit, as that discovery is, with the
history of the nation, chivalric par er-
ceLience-hsughty Spain, and connected,
as it was in the Spanish mind, With the
conversion Of MOors, psgans and bar
baTians to the true faith. For, among
the lofty objects the valorous knight Of
chivalTy had undertaken in his vows
was a conservation of his sword to the
work of bringing infidels to confess the
truth of christianity or of exterminating
them. In accordance with this idea. the
scene in the first ear presented knight
armed, vizor down, the proud plumes
waving from his helmet, his amor gilt
tering in the vivid light. In his right
hand was a short sword, on his left arm
his shield, in the hand banner whose
folds of silk waved over his shoulder
Prostrate at his feet, as he leans over him
with the stern gaze OF cOnqueror, lies,
"prOne on his back upon the blood
stained EARTH" a Moorish knight,
his useless shield on his arm, and
he helpless to refuse the gage of surrend-
er demanded blythe victor. He has lost the
fight; his helmet and weapon are gone;
to ask for mercy, and receive it on such
conditions as his successful enemy shall
be pleased to impose, is his only resource.
Ia the center OF the car stands lofty
rock, firm as the granite ribs, whose
sides gigantic, bear up the surface of the
circling world" From the summit of
the rock rises the symbol Of salvation -
the cross. Beside 1t stands female form,
graceful and commanding, yet gentle as
the breath of love. She represents
christianity; and in the person OF the
knight and his PROSTATE captive, gazes
upon the triumph over the vain resist
ance OF the stubborn race she comes TO
save. Beneath her, on her right, an
other symbol greets her eyes. Painting
on the ground lies tremendous dragon,
dead, as is seen by his moDstrous
tongue hanging from his red and cruel
mouth, Above him stands another
knight, also in full aTmOr, mis- vizOr up
in his left hand a shield, his hand bear
ing the molly cross. His foot is on the
head of the prOstrate beast, on which
also rests the point OF the long and
knightly swold, by aid OF which the
horrid creature has been put to death
after fiercs end bloody combat. The
hateful dragon is superstition, which this
knight has overcome, ~ his brother
knight has conquered unbelief. This
scene failed not to win the admiration