Page 31 - BOOK OF B B AND FONS

The Blaker Society

The weather was more propitious, and everything that could possibly be
desired. The sun which almost refused to put forth one of his welcome rays

yesterday, now shone forth resplendently. The atmosphere was warm and
exhilarating, and judging by all appearances, there were golden promises of

most successful meeting, and in that respect neither visitors nor residents
were doomed disappointment. The brilliant throng of “Archers bold” appeared

at the targets with their accustomed punctuality, and the sports were again
resumed by the gentlemen shooting at the distance of 100 yards in the same
order as yesterday. In fact the shooting was in every respect similar. The

visitors flocked into the town from all quarters, and as train after train arrived

they brought with them a goodly living freight of passengers who forthwith
repaired to the College grounds to witness the exciting sports. At two o’clock
the crowd was immense and a more gay and delightful scene cannot be well

imagined, and such as we verily believe no other town in the kingdom could
produce. The vast throng of visitors dispersed themselves in picturesque effect

over different parts of the ground, and the various “groupings,” produced a
pleasing and delightful appearance. Nothing could possibly exceed the

splendour, elegance, and costly variety of the ladies’ dresses, except the
beauty and loveliness of the fair ones themselves. Captain Robertson, with his

usual display of gallantry, compared them to “beautiful bed of lilies and roses”
which he thought would completely throw the floral fete of the next day into
the shade. The assemblage continued to increase in gaiety and numbers until

considerably after 4 o’clock, at which hour the scene was a truly imposing one
and could not fail to produce the most pleasurable sensations. The company at

the collation was considerably more numerous than yesterday, and did ample
justice to the excellent viands of that ample caterer, Mr. Cooper. Immediately

after luncheon the Toxophilites held their usual annual meeting in front of the
Grand Stand, at which H. Peckett, Esq., the father of the meeting was called

upon to preside. Various resolutions were proposed, seconded, and adopted.

...

With regard to the sport nothing could be better than the shooting. Mr.

Ford, the champion, in whom was centred the greatest interest, displayed his
usual skill with the bow, and for the ninth time carried off the champion’s gold
medal. Of the lady archers Miss Chetwyn, Mrs. Davison, of Leamington, Mrs.