Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-10-26


Now that winter is fast approaching, and
The air becoming too chilly for any outdoor
sports except skating the modern knight, who
has dashed through the lists of SO many tour
naments during the present season, lays his
faithful lance carefully away 10 rest until
another Spring shall weave new garlands for
the Queen of Love and Beauty. We believe
that the modern tournament claims TO be Il
lineal descendant Of the age Of chivalry, but
so few Of its features bear any resemblance TO
its alleged paternity that we have often doubt
ed the arsocralic percentage claimed for it,
But if its birth be due to so noble an ancestor,
could chivary crawl through the dirt Of the
several centuries which has been accumula-
ting upon its sepulchrc and gaze upon the wild
and diotc feais of its offspring, we fear the
modern tournament like Iyanhoe, would be
compelled to wear "Disinhcrited" upon its
shield. Such sad and wofu degeneracy would
richly deserve TO be disownel by such an il
lustrious sire.
We have read Buffers Hudibras and Don
Qnixote and consider them maryels Of ridicule,
but satire upon chiyolry never reached COM
plcie perfection until the modern tournament
was planned Itsauhor deserves a monument
10 the Temple OF Fame side by side with the
most brilliant satrsls that ever ridieuled the
folies and foibes Of humanity.
Stand by the lists of the modern tourney, il
you can squeeze between carriage wheels low
ingly jammed together, and watch the charac-
teristics of the chivarous sport. You hear
yelled out in martial voice, "Knight of the
Red Rosebud, prepare TO charge" as the
pompous herald calls him to mount. Whether
or not this herald is any relation to that Nee
York HerdH which is master Of ceremonies q.
bogus fox ch0ses, coaching, polo and all other
foolish amusements that bear a resemblance to
the modern tourney, we do not know As
the liquid notes OF the bnge echo upon the
mir, the ''Knight of the Red Rosebud" dash
es the spurs into his spawned steed, rushes
from his post like a fash of lightning, stands
erect in bis iron stirrup, draws his horse into
M t'aoA EhttNi thA " w blNiut hANA ANktiuil~
nation il his eve levels his sharp-pointed lance
and goes for the little red ring, like a great
many political Don Quxotes go for the big
"Canal Ring" But just as the gallant knight
is bringing his horse to a stand-still, that he
may be sure Of his mark and that the polished
lance may glide through the coveted ring, the
noble charger nimhly bounds aside, dashes
among the carriages, rears and kicks with in
efiable and uncomfortable delight, keeping
time to the succession OF shreks that issue
from The throats Of terrified candidates for
the regal crown that is TO deck the brow Of
the Queen Of Love mud Beauty. Knight after
knight is called TO the charge, some taking
md others missing the little iron ring so neat
" dressed in red flannel.
When the ,liing is finished the judges an
nouncc The names Of the successful knights
and request them to bring forward the Queen
of Love and Beauty and her maids Of honor
The blushing damsels step forward, leaning
on the strong arms Of their gallant knights,
and gently bend their heads TO receive the
floral wreath. In olden times the highest prize
Of the tourney was the crown and then the
victorious knight searched among the assem-
Lled spectators to choose the fairest there to
wear The royal garland. Now the chief prizC
generally consists of a handsome saddle, and,
MS IL to create a contrast, the ugliest lady is
generally selected to wear the crown, that The
saddle may appear more beautiful. Since
these innovations Of riding for prizes havt
crCpt into the tournaments, whenever anyone
,>Sas an old silver watch, which tiaae has finally
got the better of, and a miniature skeleton of I
horse that the vutDres of the tourney list
might desire to prey upon, tournament j
advertised, in which each knight is TO pay
certain amount 20 ride for the deceased time
piece, and as an extra inducement the hors
Is 10 be thrown in. We soon expect 10 Sc
the ralle cast aside aud the tournament take IL
place at all church fairs aud other christai
amusements where dancing Is especially pre-
hibiicd, aud gambling, clothed in the livery {
Heaven, freely INDUCED in.