Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-03
Archery.

| Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.
| GAINESVILLE, VA, Nov. 30.-The fortunate
possessor of an invitation to attend the final
meeliog OF the Robin Hood Archery Club, I
set out early on the morning of the 29th. Tho
day had dawned dark and lowering, but about
ten oclock the clouds scudded away before
stiff northwest breeze, and doubtless many eyes
besides those of the archers frightened at the
prospect of clear but cold ThabksQiViug-
Nearing the place of rendezvous, at Folly Cas-
tle," the homestead of Mr.. j. I. L2achman, |
found myself on Historic ground The
"bury Blue Ridge" bounding the view to the
westward, had echoed to the thunder OF cannon,
while tho bills and valleys between had been
dyed with the blood Of Southern heroes and
foreign mercenaries Now as they stretched in
peaceful soreness under the pale radiance OF the
November SUD, they showed 20 traces OF car
| mage or bloodshed, nor did there seem tn bo
any memory of these things 10 the minds OF the
guests rapidly arriving 10 carriages and on
horseback at the old homo stead, which. with
its dormer windows, wide chimneys and waos.
Dotted rooms, is O relic Of the taste of nass
generation, we'll worthy OF preservation. Now
its always hospitable doors stood widely open,
its proprietor having placed his house aud
grounds at the disposal Of the Archery Club
| tor the day. and the guests alter Warmlng thcn
selves at the fires that blazed ia every FOOD
| filed down under the guidance Of the urb.ac
aud gcntlmanly marshal for the day, a. H.
Compton, to the lawn, where the targets we're
PLACID at distance OF thirty yards apart. Here,
at the sound OF the buge. the archers, cInsiS'
ing of ten gentlemen and about 90 equal mum
Der of ladies. quickly assembled. In" ssl'y
painted targets, the c)mtDrtabie COSTUMES o'
the ladies' with their handsomely ornamcutel
quivers filled with gatly lcathered arrow. the
handsome bows and futterIog badges OF the
gentlemen, formed gay Scooc that TO sou"
recalled many similar trials Of skill in Whit
Latimer terms the cody art of archery" or
what in the quaint old EogIish OF his time,
were termed bow marks quhairn upon hale
dayis meu may cum, and, at eist shoot thrysc
| about, aud have usage OF archarle, while
| others who had never visited merry England,
recalled their childhood days WhcO they hung
fascinated over the exploits OF Robin Ii BOD aG'
his merry men, who now, alas like WlIiiam
Tell and other heroes of old, have been proved
10 this realistic age TO have b.en uyths, ouy
| suitable for the entertainment Of chldre1.-
The present representative q Robin lljUi
proved himself anything but myth In tho AZ
tivity and dexterity he displayed 10 marsiial'hE
his forces and preparing tor the shnouur, "L;'
as the archers stepped into their places II IS
things, is rich 10 pretty girls and sawart men.
The ladies were With one Dr no excep'i)os O..
iives of the county, aud showed themselves
above the petty jea!ousics usually attributed e.
their sex in the warmth with which they wei
coined into their club the few strangers fem
other States, the fair ''be!ie Of the Everglades
seeming to be the centre of attraction tor b Il:
ladies and gentlemen. Though 90 archer wa
fouod of sufficient skill TO repeat the famous
exploit of Robio Hood 90 the field OF Aah!y,
10 splitting bis opponents arrow iron> ID:
feather to the point, the shooting Was taiii y
good, the gold being pierced repeatedly by t:i'
ladies, and several of the gentlemen sc1T:nG
nearly hundred 10 the l6 rounds shot during
and half an hour after, the guests numbering
over hundred, we're ushered into the dioIn4
room to partske of dioner. Ii tables are SAID
to groan these we're fairly entitled to Shrek u
der the weight Of substantlals placed upol:
them, and after blessing asked by the Rev.
John Amber, who occupied the head OF the
table, the guests, with appetites Gharpeued h}
exercise 10 the open air, did ample justice to
the viands. Indeed several almost riva!Ie,
Friar Juck 10 their trenchcr exploits, ait!
though 20 beverage stronger tAao collie VA;
circulated, tho guests rCtarGcd u The .'.G
lor refreshed and cXhilaratcd, to Will, away
10 music and conversation the few horIs
that must iuterveoe bef5re even primitive
country customs would sanction the oreal'I%
of the ball which was to close the festivities
The presencs oil ooe or two professors .! ihr
musical art, and several obligiug amateur par
formers, filled up the time With solos aud CHOIR
uses, which, Varyiug FROM anthems aud hymas
to "viVe la campagnie" aud "Camptown r..
ces," must have pleased the various tastes OF
those unsteady incllocd, while those who pre-
ferrcd it spent tho time in arraylng themselves
| in the anopy of conquest, and that II had not
been nisspent was proved by the appearance"
of the club when they were marshaled lutu h"
dauciug room at eight o'clock by the gallant
master of ceremonies w. II. Brown, to receive
The pr.z IS which were presented by Mrs. VII.
Brown 10 her usual iellctous mauuer. The first
ladies pliza. three handsome arrows, was
awarded to Miss K. May Lcachman for the
best gold shot the second, fine bow, to Miss
Jennie Elliot Among the gentlemen. the
first prize, three arrows, was awarded to L; u.
Douglas for the highest score; the sccoud, Il
bow 10 Cart. +. l.. Tho1p, tho master bow
man of the club Another priz,, i Mates"
| Cross, of leather, was awarded to j. j. Leach
man as mark u high merit aad low shoot.
ing" This happy bit was received by MIR. l..
in his usual joval manner thong. ha DECLARED
| it was another Louisiana returning board fraud,
and created much amusement 10 the company.
After the presentation Capt. Thorp made y lew
forciDle remarks, stating the length Of tn! tim.
| the club had been in cxisteoce, and Advocating
| the formation Of such organizations as likely 10
promote immigration. lie was followed by Mr.
Davies, giving something of the history OF
archery and closing with complainant to tk'
ladies that was loudly appaudcd. When This
was finished, the dancing members OF the cluh
formed themselves into a Grand Archery Set.
thus Opening the ball, which Was kept up with
! energy until yearly daylight. Thus ended Que
of the most crj )yabc days it has ever been tie
| fortune of the writer to participate 10, and We
hope it may be ouly the beginning OF q acres vi
such meetings for the out door sports, 50 great
| ly lacking in America. and which would add
| to the lightness and grace of our girls the Sgcr
| AID robust health of their Eoglish sisters.
PARKE RICHARDS.
THE GREEN EYED MONSTER. A dispatch
from CLEVELAND Ohio saws.