Sometimes ed by ropes or railing, in single or double rows. there was a wooden division in the lists or area, to prevent the horses of the adverse knights from careering against one another. The ladies were the supreme judges of tournaments; but they generally deputed their power to a knight, who was called on this account, the Knight of Honour. They sometimes proposed the rewards, such as a diamond, ruby, &c. But the meed of renown was oftener military. § When the knights reached the lists, their arms were examined by the constable, in order that only hurtless ones might be used. But, notwithstanding this regulation, there existed a strong disposition, in many instances, to convert tournaments into real battles. Victory at a tournament was scarcely less glorious than victory in the field. The ladies, the minstrels, and the whole assembled multitude, acclaimed the conqueror. The practice of converting the elegant tournament into a deadly fray, occasioned an oath to be imposed on all knights. that they would frequent tournaments, solely, to learn military exercises. The chivalric bands were so well poised, that one encounter seldom terminated the sport. The lances were broken, horses and knights overthrown, and the tide of victory flowed to either end of the lists. The air was rent with names of ladies. Each knight called upon his mistress to assist him, thinking that there was a magic in beauty, to sustain his strength and courage. Death sometimes, though not often, ensued. It was on the whole a hazardous and dissolute amusement. The revelry which followed, lasted often two or three days. The court of Rome was justly hostile to tournaments, and thundered its denial of christian sepulture to those who fell in a tilting ground; but still the practice went on. Of jousts, there were two sorts; the joust to the utterance, and the joust of peace. The former expressed a single combat between two knights, who were generally of different nations. In strictness of speech, the judicial combat was a joust to the utterance; and so was every duel, whether lawful or unlawful; but with such jousts, chivalry has no direct concern, though the absurd and iniquitous practice of modern duelling, grew out of its principles. § The joust was not so favourite an amusement as the tournament, for baronial pomp was not necessary to its display; often was it held without a store of bright ladies distributing the prize. The joust of peace often took place at the conclusion of a tournament. A knight who had acquired honour, would ride about the lists, and call on the surrounding cavaliers, by their valiancy, and for the love of the ladies, to encounter him in three strokes of the lance. The joust was more frequently held at a place expressly appointed for the occasion. The mode of combat was always specifically described. Jousts possessed a more martial character than tourna ments. Such usually was the dexterity of the combatants, that the encounter of the lance was seldom fatal. § Through the long period of the middle ages, tournaments and jousts were the elegant pastimes of Europe and Greece. Knighthood had its triumph over classical institutions, when the games of chivalry were played in the circus of Constantinople. In the West they survived chivalry itself, whose image they had reflected and brightened, for changes in the military art, did not immediately affect manners; and the world long clung with fondness to those splendid and graceful, though dissipating shows which had thrown light and elegance over the warriors and dames of yore. 10. Orders of Knighthood. Chivalry had its various orders, or associations of cavaliers, formed for specific purposes, generally of a benevolent character. Ten of them remain to the present time. Most of the present orders are otherwise than of a chivalric origin. The orders of chivalry were of two general descriptions, viz. religious and military. They extended over various countries, particularly the Holy Land, England, Spain, France, and Italy. Some of the religious orders were those of the Templars, St. James, Calatrava, Alcantara, the Lady of Mercy, and St. Michael. In the religious orders, the cavaliers were bound by the three grea monastic vows, of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The military orders, were imitations of the religious. Those of the Garter, the Golden Fleece, and St. Michael, in France, were clearly of chivalric origin. Many others that now exist, cannot boast of such a descent. All these institutions had particular rules by which they professed to be governed, but they varied with the spirit of the times. They need not here be recited. § Our limits will not permit us to describe the character and progress of chivalry in the several countries in which it flourished, or to detail the exploits of renowned individuals. It belongs to this work to sketch only the general features of the system, which has been done. It remains now to notice the merits and effects of chivalry. 11. Merits and Effects of Chivalry. Chivalry was, in many respects, a whimsical institution; but it well suited the period in which it rose and flourished, and seems to have been needed in those ages. It was probably the best system that could have been adopted to aid the improvement of society, at a time when Christianity was so deeply corrupted. The principles of this religion, as it was then understood and practised, were incorporated in it; and much of the good which it included, was the fruit of the Gospel. Its theory, however, was in several respects indefensible, and its practice was arely ever so good as its theory. Still we find much to admire in chivalry, considering the character of the nations among whom it prevailed. §"The patriarchal system of manners, shaped and sanctioned by Christianity, formed the fabric of chivalry; and romance, with its many coloured hues, gave it light and beauty. The early ages of Europe gaily moved in all the wildness and vigour of youth; imagination freshened and heightened every pleasure; the world was a vision, and life a dream. The common and palpable value of an object, was never looked at, but every thing was viewed in its connection with fancy and sentiment. Prudence and calculation were not suffered to check noble aspirations; duties were not cautiously regarded with a view to limit the performance of them; for every principle was not only practised with_zeal, but the same fervid wish to do well, lent it new obligations. From these feelings proceeded all the graceful refinements, all the romance of chivalry." This institution fostered civilization, and was therefore needed in a barbarous age. It refined the manners, and added harmony to social intercourse, where otherwise little but rudeness and misrule would have prevailed. It contributed to the safety and order of society, inasmuch as it thinned the ranks of robbers and ruffians. It infused kind and beneficent feelings into the bosom, and enjoined external propriety of conduct, and courtesy of behaviour. It culti vated a humanity which was not limited by kindred or country. As chivalry was spread over Europe, it formed mankind into one band, one order of men. The features of war were softened by its influence. It taught the warrior gentleness and clemency. A nice sense of honour and a scrupulous regard of truth were fostered by its maxims. It was a principle, as well as a feeling and a love in chivalry, to guard and cherish woman, and many of its amenities proceeded from her inild influence. In fine, it corrected the peculiar evils of the feudal system, haughtiness, tyranny, oppression, and misrule. Notwithstanding these beneficial effects of chivalry, it must be acknowledged that other effects attended it, which may well qualify the language of praise. Still we are willing to believe, that it did more good than mischief, in a secular view. It has, however, been more condemned than lauded, and every one knows the exquisite ridicule which has been thrown upon it, or rather upon its extravagancies, by the inimitable author of Don Quixote. It resulted in |