THE WIFE OF BENEDICT ARNOLD. 199 probably considered it within the license of an artist to provide a substitute for them. The costume therefore in which Miss Shippen, as a Lady of the Blended Rose, was arrayed on this occasion, consisted of a flowing robe of white silk, a rose-colored sash covered with spangles, spangled shoes and stockings. a spangled veil trimmed with silver lace, and a towering turban adorned with pearls and jewels. To us this description conveys a slight suggestion of the circus ; but we must remember it was made before the day of aesthetic art, and that it was designed by a man. It is probable, too, that Peggy Shippen was lovely enough to look well even in spangled incongruity. The tournament took place upon the lawn in front of the house of Mr. Wharton, a beautiful green slope rising by a gentle ascent from the Delaware river. The com- pany, who arrived in boats, were marshaled to their places in the procession, and advanced to the stirring music of " all the bands in the army," through an avenue formed by two lines of grenadiers, and spanned by two triumphal arches. " Two pavilions," wrote Major Andre", " with rows of benches rising one above the other, and serving as wings of the first triumphal arch, received the ladies ; while the gentlemen ranged themselves in convenient order on each side." Upon the front seat of one of these pavilions sat the seven ladies of the Blended Rose, doubtless in a flutter, wondering how their knights would acquit themselves. Presently these gentlemen, attired in red and white silk, mounted upon gray horses, and each attended by his squire, made the circuit of the field, preceded by their Herald. Each saluted his lady in passing, and they then ranged themselves in line before the pavilion. The Herald proclaimed the superiority of the ladies of the
