The Aegis & Intelligencer

THE TOURNAMENT
A Gala Day at My Lady's Manor!
Strength and Beauty Meet Together!
THE CHARGE TO THE KNIGHTS-THE RIDING-DECLARATION OF THE VICTORS AND THE CROWNING OF THE QUEEN AND MAIDS OF HONOR.
Tuesday last, the 20th inst.,-the day for which all other intervening days were made-dawned without a cloud in the sky, and earth and air were in harmony with the event which was to signalize the day on My Lady's Manor, in Baltimore county. The rains of the previous days had most effectually laid the villainous dust, so that not a speck arose along the converging highways, that before 10 A. M. were filled by the carriages of the ladies and gentlemen en route for the scene of the knightly encounter. The grounds were magnificently located in a long stretching meadow, on the farm of Thos. L. Emory, Esq., at the junction of two roads leading from Towsontown and Bel Air. The meadow lies North and South, and nestles, as it were, amid an amphitheatre of rolling hills, rich with verdure clad. In the centre was established the "riding," with the arch flanked on either hand by the stands for the Judges and music. The carriages as they entered were ranged along on both sides of the "riding," to the number of one hundred and seventy-five or more, and formed a very unique boulevard. These were occupied entirely by the ladies, as there were no shade trees, and the autumn sun beamed down warmly upon the valley. By 12 o'clock, M., five or six hundred spectators were awaiting with some impatience for the grand entree of the "Knights so bold.
In their helmets old,
With buckles of brass and spurs of gold."
After a little delay, and the rapid riding back and forth of officers and heralds, a few preliminary rolls of the big-bellied drum and the sounding of the wind instruments of the band, they came-the knights and escort-riding down the valley. Passing in review, the opportunity was afforded the spectators of noting the costumes of the Knights and the beauty of their steeds, which noble animals seemed to enter into the spirit of the occasion. The Chief Marshal of the tourney was Col. James Mahool, of Baltimore county, who bestrode a stately-stepping black steed. His aids were Col. Sterling Rosan, John R. Rutledge, Jacob Pearce and Capt. I. J. Macatee, all of whom were elegantly mounted. Those gentlemen who acted as Judges were Robert Gilmor, of Baltimore city John Merryman and Thomas L. Emory, of Baltimore county. Nicholas H. Nelson and Hon. E. H. Webster, of Harford The Heralds were four brave-appearing and tastily-equipped lads: Masters Emory Warfield, Siddie Streett, Beale Howard. and Willie Hutchins. They rode animals of high mettle, but rode them beautifully sitting in the saddles like troopers.
THE ORATION BY MR. ARCHER.
After the parade, the Knights, called by the bugle, drew up in front of the stand to receive their charge. Hon. Stevenson Archer, of Bel Air, the chosen orator, was here introduced by Hon. Edwin H. Webster, and proceeded to address the knights. His remarks were based on ancient knighthood, and the peculiar circumstances which prompted the institution of the order. During the 12th century the order of St. John of Jerusalem was founded, under the very shadow of the Holy Sepulchre, its object the protection of the pilgrims. The order grew to great power and influence, inasmuch that it was able to assist very materially the Crusaders in their struggles against the infidel in Palestine. The Knights of the Temple constituted the other one of the two principal orders, and by consecutive steps at last the knighthood consecrated itself to the championship and guardianship of feeble woman. The speaker dwelt at some length upon the progress of civilization, and the passing away of the era of chivalry and knight-errantry; but brave, courteous and heroic as were the noble knights of that dark and lawless age, the speaker did not hesitate to say that, did the present condition of society demand it, a host of champions would spring up amongst us as chivalrous as they. Knights of the present day could not, as knights, be favorably compared with those of the olden time, who were knights and nothing else. The speaker then touched upon the famous tourney held at Ashby, in Merry England-that "Gentle and Joyous Passage of Arms," and that other famous passage of arms which was held in Palestine between Richard Coeur de Leon and Saladin and in comparison paid a high tribute to the manly bearing of the knightly array before him, intent not on bloody deeds, but inspired with ambition worthy of the occasion. The talented orator was happy in his historical allusions and illustrations, and we regret that the length of the oration and the crowded state of our columns debar us the pleasure of its publication in full. At the conclusion of the address, the riding began. The distance fixed was one hundred and five yards, each knight to tilt thrice at the ring; time, nine seconds. The arch, from which hung suspended the ring, became now the centre of attraction. The arch itself was tastefully wreathed, and crowned with the United States colors. On the south face appeared the motto-"None but the Brave Deserve the Fair;" on the reverse its counter-part- "Honor to the Victor."