A number of gallants are practising the noble art of
"tilting" in the grounds of the Eyre Arms Tavern, St. John's Wood, in the hope of becoming accomplished cavaliers by the time Lord Eglintoun's prepara- tions for his tournament at Eglintoun Castle are complete. The fol- lowing description of a recent display of prowess is taken from the Times- " Lord Gage presided as Marshal of the Lists, and kept order amongst the jousters. The Marquis of Waterford was thrown from his horse, and-rolled ignobly in the sawdust and sand of the course, but received no injury : indeed, the armour is protection to a certain degree from broken bones, although it is said several accidents have already occurred from the awkwardness of the parties employed. Be that as it may, there were no serious accidents ; and the whole business went oil as such timings usually do, somewhat dull and alto- ether silly. '['here were a group of attendants dressed. like the butIonus at St. Bartholomew Fair, who were no doubt intended to represent the retainers of the jousting knights : these worthies held the horses, kept the doors, and, with time assistance of a policeman, were in that respect a very efficient force. The tilting consisted in each knight riding at half-speed at the figure of a knight in armour, a sort of iron scarecrow, mounted on a wooden horse, and placed on small truck.wheels on an inclined plane. This dummy ' knight, on being let loose, rattled along his railroad groove for time length of fifty yards, whilst the real earnest knight-errant rode fiercely at Ilium in his transit, and strove to knock [mina out of his saddle at the point of the lance. Dummy,' however, proved in the lung run the best man of time lot, and sat with imperturbable pa- tience whilst all time chivalry. of the Eyre Arms attackejl him in turn. He remained unscathed, and looked as much like a stalwart warrior as any of his antagonists. There were many ladies present, whose bright eyes encouraged the knights to the contest ; amongst these were Ladies Gage, Kinnool, Dowager Lady Craven, Lady St. Vincent, &c. Lord Chesterfield had with- drawn from the 'kis, but it was reported in the tilting.ground that his place was to be supplied by the ex-Chancellor Lord Brougham This ru swill. is hardly credible ; though the length of limb of his Lordship, and Isis extraordinary versa- tility, combined with Isis sternness of feature, would render him what in the sporting phrase is termed a very ugly customer,' if they did not secure him the highest rewards of chivalryt The expense of each knight's accoutrements has been estimated at 400/. ; another statement snakes it 2001. ; and it was rumoured, that on account of the cost, the affair would be abandoned. A writer in the Times quotes Blackstone, to show the noble titters that tournaments are unlawful ; and reminds them, that if death should occur from their tomfoolery, (a not very likely occurrence, we suspect,) the law would make them guilty of' manslaughter.
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