Page:Tournament at Eglinton Castle.pdf/9

9 on forms naturally graceful, that many said or thought—

Lady Jane Seymour's dress for the occasion was composed of a jaeketjacket [sic] of ermine, the skirt of violet velvet, with the front of skyblue velvet, on whiehwhich [sic] was her Ladyship's arms (those of the Duke of Somerset,) richly embroidered in silver, and a coronet or erowncrown [sic], riehlyrichly [sic] ornamented with jewels. The MarehionessMarchioness [sic] of Londonderry's dress was eomposedcomposed [sic] of similar materials, made under her own direction. The noblemen and gentlemen who did not take an active part in the work of the day were attired in every variety of eostumecostume [sic], though the brilliant uniforms of many proelaimedproclaimed [sic] that they belonged to the military, and were proud to appear in habiliments whiehwhich [sic] denoted their conneetionconnection [sic] with the British army. Innumerable glasses were directed to this magnificent speetaelespectacle [sic] from every part of the grounds, and it was impossible for eye to gaze on a fairer or more exalted galaxy.

The grounds around the lists, and along the whole of the lengthened line of the proeessionprocession [sic], were clustered by well-dressed thousands; large number evinced their courtesy to Lord Eglinton's wish, by appearing in olden costumccostume [sic], while a still greater portion of the mighty mass wore Highland bonnets, Lowland plaids, and sported sprigs of heather. Now came the unfortunate cause of discontent. Before one o'clock the rain commeneedcommenced [sic], and eontinuedcontinued [sic] with very little intermission until the evening. This threw a very great damp on the proeeedingsproceedings [sic]. Many thousands left the field, and the enjoyment of those that remained was in a great measure destroyed. The Grand Stand alone was eoveredcovered [sic] in, and neither plaid, umbrella, nor great-eoatcoat [sic], eouldcould [sic] prevail against a deluge so heavy and unintermitting; thousands were dreneheddrenched [sic] to the skin as effectually as though they had been dragged through the Lugton. But thothe [sic] mass only squeezed the closer together, and the exeitementexcitement [sic] of the moment overeameovercame [sic] all external annoyances. The men bceamebecame [sic] blanehedblanched [sic], and the finery of the ladies was sadly draggled; but when the distant bugles of the procession were heard, and the hum arose, "They eomecome [sic], they eomecome [sic]," the blood mantled on the eheekcheek [sic] of the palest, and expeetationexpectation [sic] was wound up to the highest piteh. Heavy, too, as thothe [sic] rain was, the artists plied their vocation busily from