Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-09-11

tened the enthusiasm OF participants and specfa-
tors alike. After q little delay the tiltag
commenced. Fifieen knights eonteDded for tbs
honor Of erowning the Queen and her Maids, but
we win here give only the result, showing thoss
who were successful. The Knight Of Hotspar,
w. v. Waters took eight rings, crowned the
Queen, laying the honor 81 the feet Of Miss Net
tie Thomas. The knight Of Argyle, Vim. II.
Thomas and the Knight Of Snow Hill, John
Hilton, tied fOs lst Maid. The knight Of Argyle
crowned Miss Ida Kirk lst Maid and knight d
Snow Hin crowned Ms Fanny Carroll Ind
Maid as result Of the tie. The Knight Of Belle
view, Alex. sOmervills. Knight Of Venice, z.
Galatii, and knight Of Lochinvar, Spencer Har-
rison, tied the Bird Maid, which on being ridden
OF, resulted In the success Of tho knight ofBelle-
view, who crowned Miss Gardiner, Of Calvert.
The crowns, were furnished by Greenwell Fem
| wick; and in taste and loveliness could not lie
surpassed. A ball At the Society's Hall closed
the pleasures Of the day, and no better common
tary on IFS success can be made than to note the
fact that O'Clock, the hour Of closing. found
every stand on the floor taken. The amount re-
ALLEGED By the Society was small, butt members
are fully satisfied since all present seemed to en-
JOY the affair throughout, an object mainly to be
attained. The following gentlemen acted as
Judges DIR. James Thomas, John II. Waters,
VIM. Corcoran, George Combs, Isaac Solomon,
R. II. Miles, R. II. Garner, J. T. Parsons.
| Ma. WILSON'S ADDREss-Mr Corcoran, In in
PRODUCING Mr.. Wilson, explained, that the Com
mittee Of Arrangements had been forced to press
his friend into service, without giving him due
notice, to supply the absence OF the Orator who
had been originally selected to address the
knights and who had found il impossible to at
tend. Mr.. Wilson then advanced and spoke,
substantially, as follows:
I can hope, Sir knights, to but feebly fiIl
the place Of the distinguished gentleman who
was expected 20 address you, but cannot let the
occasion pass without some word Of encourage
ment in response TO your hastering invitation
You are about to enter upon a trial Of Skill re-
curing the exercise Of faculties that the world
/ has ever held in high esteem. Good horseman.
ship, steady hand and true sight are the prere-
quisies Of your success, and these the true tests
Of the valiant knight, invoke for each and
| all Of you. We cannot be too often reminded OF
| the chivalric associations Of the tournament and
the gallant and heroic deeds Of the knights d
old. At one period chivalry was almost the only
L Cneck upon tue TapaClIy OF luWte3S &ulets IN Eu-
| rope. II protected the humble and defenceless,
combined invincible strength and valOr with
compassion for weakness, courtesy TO equals,
Difference TO supeFiors and romantic devotion to
F! woman. II inculcaied modesty, truth, justice,
| courage and self-denial, and made so lasting an
impression, that 10 this day we describe every
act Of disntcrested bravery or selEsacrce for the
good Of others as chivalry. OF the historic
/ names, handed down TO ne in this connection,
Il AT vwh N a. ID
acter is Chevalier Bayard. 'the good Knight,
/ pure and without reproach. His name has
/ grown into prov erbial Identification In modern
times with all that 10 pure and noble in manhood,
and all that is great and excellent in the soldier
I cannot better illustrate the superiority Of
Knighthood, the high esteem in which il held per-
| sonal honor than by repeating the reply OF Fran
els l., King Of France, to his sister whilst pris-
oner Of Charles of Spain. She tried to get him
i to promise that which he did not intend to per-
form. "What, my sister, be false to my word;
I, q belted knight, invested by the hands d
Bayard himself on the field Of Marignano stooF
TO lie; Marguerite you are mad" IL the revi-
val Of the tournament In this sOrdid and selfish
age shall be accompanied by revival OF respect
for truth, integrity, generosity toa fallen foe
and high sentiment for personal honor, then
we should welcome II as much needed. Il was
FIRST introduced into France, but soon found il
way into all the other counties Of Europe. Ia
those warlike times, these amusements were pa
tronized by all the rulers Of Europe, and valua-
BILE prizes were often given to stimulate the am
| bition Of those who participated. In this coun.
| try we cannot expect 70 rival the tournaments o.
| the past in spleEelor and grandeur, nor bestow
upon the successful contestants the rich and cost
" prizes that the Knights Of Henry VII received
at Westminster when they all came into the lists
''riehly apparelled and their horses trapped Ia
white velvet" Why il il that the equestrian
Il ~ he 10 u HUAN ann.
ken Of? ls il because our modern efforts seem 9
feeble imitation Of Medieval Splendor? They
should remember that the only sovereigns who
participate with as are the sovereign people, and
| they have not the con6scaied lands 70 draw upon
that Henry ofEngland had. Or Is IL because
there Is still an effort to keep alive the sentiments
| OF Chivalry by crowning Queen Of Love and
| Beauty7 They should remember that we &C.
knowledge the dominion OF no other Queen. She
we can proudly say has and viii ever continuS
| 10 maintain her reign and influence. Far distant
be the day when chivalric Americans will CEASE
| TO pay homage ~ the shrine Of LoveaDd Beauty
The hard lines Of our practical life need mellow
ing with the sunshine Of more sentiment and
/ poetrv. Why not gather IL when we may2
The prizes 10 be given to-day are not 80 in
trinscally valuable, rs have before stated, M
the victorious knights Of former times often re-
ceived, bat they are we hope substantial enough
TO serve as . remembrance Of the day and oeeas-
ion. Under the sublime EschyIus In ancient
Greece the chapfet Of ivy became the most cher
ished prize Of all. A wreath Of flowers 10 in
trinsically worth nothing, but when il becomes
o crown of honor for noble achievement, il ID
| worth more than the costliest diadem. In this
spirit the prizes viii be bestowed upon you, with
the knowledge that you have still greater prizes
ahead in the privilege you win enjoy Of crown
ing those fair daughters whom you have selected
for the honors Of to-day. Remember, the eyes
Of the fair, perhaps the select AowsF Of your heart
will be upon each Of you, watching in brcathlezs
anxiety the charge Of her favoFite knight. She
will await the result Of each with as much inter
est as ever did Rowena the charge Of her Ivan-
hoe. The knowledge Of this, together with that
Of the approving smile that awaits the success
and gaIlantry Of each, are more than sufficient 70
stimulate yoa to your best Efforts. There L
s0meshing nohler than wealth and greater than
ofce, the love Of which still dwells in the heart
| Of the American people. To revive aud encoar-
age this, no occasion b more fitted than the pre-
| seat. And now, sir knights, net wishing 20
i further desaRn yoa with words, dismiss yea "a
the contess for which yoa are impatient wishing
you s-God speed, and hoping you win cher
ish and keep alive these sentiments Of chFvalry
II