TOURNAMENTS

OR TILTS.—Every one has read of these ancient modes of duelling. If not, let them read Sir Walter Scott’s “Ivanhoe,” . The Arabs are very expert in their management of horses at these tilts. The following will describe the whole:— “The tournament field is oblong, and bordered by rows of spectators, sitting cro -legged round the open space. The best riders of the tribe, mounted on the most active horses, are then introduced into the arena, the men being clothed with as much splendour as their means will permit them, while the chargers are covered with large silk housings of different colours, reaching to the ground, and resembling those of ancient knights, as represented in Froi art. Some of the Arabs then commence making their horses dance to the sound of drums and trumpets, whilst men on foot occasionally rush forward and discharge their muskets close to the horses’ ears. Others dash forward at full speed along the line of seated spectators, as close to their feet as they po ibly can, without actually trampling upon them: and every now and then suddenly throwing their horses on their haunches, spin them round on their hind legs, and resume in the opposite direction their wild career. It is a nervous sight to behold; for you momentarily expect to see some person or child crushed beneath the horses’ hoofs; but no accident ever happens, and men, women, and children, maintain their seats with the greatest calmne and feeling of security, saluting any well-executed point of horsemanship with loud and exulting shouts of approbation, whilst the women accompany them with the usual but indescribable cries of the quick-repeated lu-lu-lu-lu; in return for which they are covered with clouds of sand and dust, which the impetuous coursers throw up behind them. Three or four others dashing their sharp stirrups into the flanks of their impatient steeds, rush madly along the length of the arena, shouting forth their tekbir , or war-cries, and whirling round their heads the long and silver-adorned Arab guns, which they discharge at the spectators when they have reached the farthest extremity of the lists. Others engage with swords soldiers on foot, galloping round their adversaries in incredibly small circles, twisting their horses suddenly round, and then circling to the other hand; and I know not which most to admire, the activity and supplene of the rider or of his horse. Others, whilst at full speed, will lean over, and without in the least reducing their pace, pick up from the ground a piastre or any other equally small object, thrown down for the purpose. These sports form, on the whole, one of the gayest and most animating scenes I ever beheld, increased as it is by the waving of many silken sanjaks of the brightest colours, by the music, the report of fire-arms, the war-cries of the performers, and the shouts of the numerous spectators.” TOURNAY.—Taken by the Allies in 1709; taken again by the French, November 11th, 1792. A battle was fought here by the Anglo-Austrian army, against the French, in which they were defeated, May 8th, 1793. Another battle was fought between the English and French, when the French were repulsed, losing 200 men and three field pieces. Fought, May 6th, 1794.