Unfortunately, on the opening day, the weather utterly spoilt the show. Before one o’clock, the rain commenced, and continued, with very little intermission, until the evening. This, necessarily, made it very uncomfortable for all, especially the spectators. Many thousands left the field, and the enjoyment of those who remained was, in a great measure, destroyed. The Grand Stand, alone, was covered in, and neither plaid, umbrella, nor great-coat could prevail against a deluge so heavy and unintermitting; thousands were thoroughly drenched to the skin; but the mass only squeezed the closer together, and the excitement of the moment overcame all external annoyances, although the men became sodden, and the finery of the ladies sadly bedraggled.
It had been arranged that the procession should start from the Castle at one o’clock, but the state of the weather was so unfavourable, that it did not issue forth till about half-past two, and the weather compelled some modifications; for instance, the Queen of Beauty should have shown herself “in a rich costume, on a horse richly caparisoned, a silk canopy borne over her by attendants in costume,” but both she, and her attendant ladies, who were also to have been on horseback, did not so appear, but were in closed carriages, whilst their beautifully caparisoned palfreys—riderless—were led by their pages.
There were 15 Knights, besides the “Lord of the Tournament,” the Earl of Eglinton, and much as I should like to give their description and following, I must refrain, merely giving two as a sample—
“Retainers of the Lord of the Tournament. Halberdiers of the Lord, in Liveries of his Colours. Man at Arms The GONFALON, Man at Arms in half armour. Borne by a Man at in half armour. Arms. THE LORD OF THE TOURNAMENT. EARL OF EGLINGTON. Groom. In a suit of Gilt Groom. Armour, richly chased, on a barded Charger—caparisons, &c., of blue and gold. THE BANNER. Borne by LORD A. SEYMOUR Esquire. Esquire. Esquire. G. DUNDAS. F. CAVENDISH, Esq. G. M’DONAL, Esq. Retainers of the Lord, as before. _Halberdiers of the Knight of the Griffin_, in Liveries of his Colours. Man at Arms THE GONFALON, Man at Arms in half armour. Borne by a man at in half armour. Arms. _The Knight of the Griffin_. THE EARL OF CRAVEN, Groom. In a suit of engraved Groom. Milanese Armour inlaid with gold, on a barded charger. Caparisons, &c., of Scarlet, White and Gold. Esquire. THE BANNER, Esquire. The HON. F. CRAVEN. Borne by a man at The HON. F. Arms in MACDONALD. Half Armour. Retainers—”