The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1825-09-02 00:00:00

SNOLISH OPERA HOUSE. After a brief rustication, Mr. Mathews h as resume d hi s issuer at this theatre, to the great discomfiture of blue lads sad the vast augmentation of " the stock of harm., I t o pleasure " in the metropolis. He appeared last night at sone of the small comedies peculiar to this house, and although we are entrain* to find fault, yet must we say that it is more delightful to see him in his monologues—an m i s s by himself—than making one of a joint-stock corn - Fs ay of actors. The truth is, that Mr. Mathews is so full of fun, whim, activity, frivolity, song, and life, w h e n alone, that the effect of his exhibition is much i ui psired when third and fourth-rate people are mixed u p wOh him in the performance. He was received ea his entre with the loudest applause, and in the B a pliful Man played with his usual effect, and if pos. fable, with more than his usual spirit. This piece is the work of Mr. Monerieff (a prolific fabricator of farms and astravagansim), and is said to be founded on a tale written by Mr. Repton, bearing the same name. Much of me of the best scenes is taken from Addison's humorous ; 2se ription of an Absent Man. It is, with all these aids, IPwe production, filled with abortive jokes and vapid t , s .4. Some of the situations are ludicrous, and enable +!: Mathews to display a vast deal of cleverness and a c r. The scene of the dinner is infinitely amusing. grattet cynic cannot forbear from laughing at the uase% is apiie of all his sympathy for the sufferings of t h e pear victims*, maileaise honk. Mathews contrives to wile so eridkmelliugh, without exciting any feeling of :u nwept in the audience . None but a skilful artist can ,!,, di.—and he is a skilful artist. The drunken scene slalom without a parallel for its inimitable truth, vi wvity, and drollery. But even this actor, with all bis tbilay, could not prevent the piece from going off very heavily. After the smart interlude of Gretna Grees, Mr. Mathews appeared in Jonathan W. Dealudrine, in Peake's well-known afterpiece. This portrait of agentiac Yankee, though somewhat overcharged, is in othfr respects a singularly faithful likeness of the class it is intended to represent; we mean the New-Eng- Imams. It is of that order of persons that the immense western territory of the United States is now being peopled, and therefore Al athews's performance is worth being studied. The goodoatnred self sufficiency, the ignorant conceit, the downright integrity, activity, obstinacy, and loquacity of the Yankee, are inimitably given. Such is the truth of the picture, that even a thoroughbred American can scarcely be offeridini with it. The audience recognised their old favourite, and bailed him with reiterated welcomes. The other parts were well represented, particularly Agamemnon (Jonathan's " nigger") by Slornan ; and Natty Larkspur by Keeley. The house was extremely well attended, and the last piece was received with very considerable ammo !)atiin. TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS. lit September. Sta—Having read some very excellent observations in the British Peet: on the subject of St. George's Hospital, when the case of the poor man Tay, coa was brought before a Coroner's Jury, 1 beg leave to offer some remarks on the nature and result of the inquiry into the circum stances of this case, which was gone into by the Weekly Board of Governors in that hospital, in consequence of the official communication made to them by Mr. Higgs, De puty Coroner of Westminster. It is a case of great public interest, and ought not, as happens too often with such eases, to make an impression merely for the moment, and br den suffered to pass by and be forgotten. It is the suffering charges of this nature to be slurred over by an invistigation, gone into by the parties interested for the mere purpose of throwing dust in the eyes of the public, that encourages all the shameful abuses in such In stitutions. Wherefore are they thus sheltered that commit them? because if brought home, they would involve those whose bounden and imperative duty it is to prevent them. The public say, very naturally and very justly, if the nurses and attendants of the hospitals were fitly ch osen and pro perly surrintended—if the whole were placed under pro per regulations, and if complaints of improper treatment could be made at once to an authority which could be readily and at any time appealed to with effect ; these acts of neglect anti inhumanity could not grow up as they do into a system, nor would the unfortunate patients be ex aied as they arc to the careless treatment of nurses and underlings in authority, made callous to suffering by habit, anti against whose ill treatment, from the very nature of their situation, it is not only vain to hope for redress, but daegerous to seek it. Now, Sir, the result of the examination into this case has heen—as those who well know the mode of conducting se , h inquiries might have predicted—not only to char the p:rsoes complained °vinyl of all blame, but to shift it from them to Me partiss complaining. The nurse (Armstrong), in suit. 2 of the sworn testimony against her, is purged of an ; the charge against her, it seems, " is entirely ei:hout foundation;" and the porter Allen's inhumanity is fund isistifiable on his awn showing. "It appears to the says the St earraav, in his letter to the Deputy Comber, ' that if blame is to be imputed, it should be to the ssfartinote patient himself, and his wife or female friend, either of whom mull have been aware that ip there had been any real ground of complaint, such complaint would hare been attended to, if stated to the resident Chaplain, or airy one of the medical officers or Governor: of the charity." But they know very little of the internal economy of hospitals, upon whose credulity this grave declaration mull be palmed even for a moment. Can any man of common sense be made to believe that the poor man's wife, who was teemed Gut of the ward fir remonstrating, would have so remonstrated against the kind treatment of her husband on the part of Armstrong ? Is it at all likely that, poor as she was; she would have per suaded 'her husband to leave the Hospital, had his tr.ument been what it ought to have been? Would the Lnhappy patient hinaseff have been induced to leave it, ohm in a state so dangerous that he only returned to it to die, had be not felt that even the risk of death was pre ferable to remaining? Would all this have taken place had nothing more been necessary than the above short process of stating a complaint, in order to have the cause of it forthwith removed? All this finely regulated system is t lady boasted upon paper ; but it is suite another affair when you come to the matter of fact. the theory is one thing, the practice is another. lam far from asserting that the weekly Governors would withhold their attention from any complaints that were made; but we all know that an Hospital patient is not in circumstances to wake a present ment of abuses; he endures in silence what he feels he cannot redress, anti it is only when the interposition of other parties brings some flagrant case before the public, that the public come to the knowledge of the abuses and ill management that prevail. In the reply of the Deputy Coroner to the letter of Mr. Gunning, the Secretary to St. George's Hospital, he re pels the imputation so undeservedly cast on the Jury, .rktli a tinge of sarcasm, though in a tone perfectly temperate:— "You inform me that the Weekly Board do not impute blame et the nurse, nor serious blame to Allen ; but they seem to reflect on the Jury. " I unt not aware that the Jurors were acquainted with the dis cipline of St. George's Hospital. They heard an oath, that the deceased had been scolded and sworn at, because he could not carry coals; that his wife humanely interfered, sad blamed the num for !Peaking in that way to a sack ; that the nurse then forced .air out by the shoulders, told the porter not to admit her 4tin. If such conduct was not sufficient to tempt the deceased to tioPe. Id, not know what could ; unless the cause was increased by the same nurse having before told the deceased, when he re quested her to put a fresh poultice to his hand (which had been ordered two hours before) that she, to ',finish him, would keep him Fix bours without it ; that circumstance was also sworn to before the Jury. " I Presume on the above being stated to the Board they will re tract their oboe:redoes on a Jury both respectable and impartial." I trust that the cases which have recently been brought before the public, will have the effect of introducing a more effeedve discipline, and a more humane superintend ence into these Establishments, which are supported at so. Peat an expenditure of public charity. If the confidence of the public in them is once shaken, there will soon be an end of those almmitnt resources at present created by 1 " Phihnthropy. That this efft.et has been in some measure Produced, is certain. Let us hope that the late exposures will tend to introduce a reform in the internal management of thane most useful Institutions, and the law exposures will then hive answered their purpose. A SUBSCRIBER. LITRRART 01,114NINGL No. XX. [From Anstry's Pleader's THE TRIAL Aa tsken by en eminent Short Hand-Writer. ronx.e..ouu. 41 et. JORM-A-GUDGEOPS, IrM For the Plaintiff, Mr. Counsellor BOTHIK . UM ; for the Ddend. ant, Mr. Counsellor Boan'uss. • Mr. Bornelean opens the pleadings. His Speech at length— ! rise with pleasure. I assure ye, With transport to accost a Jury Of your known eonscientious teeling, Candour and honourable dealing, From* Middlesex discreetly chosen, A worthy and an upright dozen. (Aside. This action, Gentlemen, Is brought By John-a-Gudgeon, for a ton ; The pleadings state "that Johma-Gull, With envy, wrath, and malice full, With swords, knives, sticks, staves, Bst, add bludgeon, Best, bruised, and wounded John-a-Gudgeon. First count's for " that," with divers jugs, To wit, twelve pots, twelve cups, twelve mugs, Of certain vulgar drink called toddy, Said gull did sluice said Gudgeon's body; The second count's for other toddy Cast, flung, or hurl'd on Gudgeon's body; To wit, his gold-lac'd hat and hair on, And clothes which he had then and there on, To wit, twelve jackets, twelve sonatas, Twelve pantaloons, twelve pair of boots, Which did thereby much discompose 'Said Gudgeon's mouth, eyes, ears, and nose, Back, belly, neck, thighs, feet, and toes; By which, and other wrongs unheard of His clothes were spoil'd, and life despaired of." To all these counts the plea I find Is sou assault, and issue's join'd. Such, Gentlemen, Is, word for word, The story told on this record. This fray was at a feast or revel At Toadland, on the Bedford level, Given, as was usual at elections, By Gudgeon to his fen-connections. They'd had a meeting at the Swan The day before the poll began, And thence adjourned it, to make merry M'ith Mr. Coot, who keeps the terry. Now John-a-Gull, who thrusts his nose Wherever John.a.Gudgeon goes, To this same feast without susnicion, Utilised, it seems, had gain'd idrnisaion ; Coot had just tinish'd an oration, And Gudgeon, with much approbation, Was singing an election ballad, Penn'd by tit' ingenious Dr. !Stallard, ((Thu orthodox and learned writer, Who bids so fairly for a mitre;) When Gull, who heard this song or sonnet, With Mr. Gudgeon's commeuts on it, This Gull (whose very name denoted The character for whom he voted) Flourish'd his knuckles in derision, And, with much promptness of decision, Began to pummel and belabour Tne short ribs of his peaceful neighbour ; But first with tweaks assailed his Mee. And interspersed said tweaks with blows; Gudgeon explained, and Gull recourse had To other tweak, like tweak aforesaid. G—d knows, a milder, gentler creature Never was seen in human nature, Than the forbearing and well-judging Discreet, and gentle John-a-Gudgeon •, And, Gentlemen, there's no man's face is Better received at all your races, Wells, mouths, and water-drinking places; Was Alderman and Mayor Elect Once had the honour to be pricked For Sheriff, which important station He gained without solicitation.— No doubt his Lordship recognizes The coat he had on at Assizes, A velveret, genteel and neat, With tabby lin'd, and frogs complete, Made for Squire Gudgeon's wedding ball, When first he came to Webfoot Hall, An ancient seat in th' Isle of Ely, Where all the Gudgeons live genteelly,— Which coat so trimm'd. so frogg'd, said Gull Did spoil, besmear, and disannul, With the moat villanous libations Of the most silo of vile potations ; For proof we'll call Gall's worthy friend, Who keeps a school at Toadlend s End, One Simon Trout, a pious pastor, And Dr. Tenth, who spread the plaster, And Farmer Chubb, an honest yeoman, - OO *peaks the troth, and cares for no man ; But above tai, to prove our case, We'll show you Mr. Gudgeon's face, Where every Injured fe.ture pleads 'Oainst John-a-Gull's atrocious deeds. What facts, what species of excuse My Broiler Bore'um will produce. What case he'll make, and how maintain • Ilis plea of son assault demesne, Wise as he looks, you may rely on't Ile knows no more than his own client 'Tut for sou, Gentlemen, to say %'hat dimage John-a-Gull shall pay ; 'Tis In your wisdom, Gentlemen, to pull Sr) wide the purse-strings of this factious Gun, That he no more may triumph and parade The streets of (ambtidge in a blue cockade, singing the praises of a British Jury, From the Pig Market to the Petty Cury But back to l'oadland as he bends his way, Whoe'er behold him to his friend may say, Mark, how the Jury have rever'd the laws, Glen the just judgment in the Gudgeon craw, Taught the proud Gull to sing an humbler strain. And sent Min waddling to his bogs again. TEAMINATION OF WITNESSES TOIL TEE PLAINTIFF. Mr. Simon Trout, Dissenting Preacher and Schoolmaster, exa mined by Mr.Bol . llElt'Ubl—Cioss-examined by Mr.1.1011E . U14. Evidence of Dr. Tendi, Surgeon and Apothecary. BOTMER. whispers his Attorney. Pray are oar witnesses ail here, Our scaly friends from Toadland Mere Ally. Here's Dr. Tench, and Preacher Trout ; And Fanner Chubb will come, no doubt. Bother. Call Simon Trout—we'll first begin With Mr. Trout—come, swear hint in. Crkr. Here, Simon, you shall—(Silence there!) The truth. and all the troth declare, And nothing but the truth be willing To speak, so help you li—d. (A shilling.)—(.lside. Trout's sworn.—. ( Bother.) Pray, Sir, did you attend Tb' election feast at Toadlano's End The feast, I mean, before the poll-day ? Trout. Yes, sir, I tarried there the whole day— Albeit, I never go to dinners, To feast with publicans and sinners, And ever it has been my rule On no account to quit my school, As in my absence, I'm aware, Satan will not be idle there ! I own, sir, I for once transgress'd ft, The inwa rd light so strongly press% It, A call I never could withstand ! But touching the affair in hand, As it regards the late election, I've but a feeble recollection. Bort. (Your inward light must fail you greatly, If you've forgot what passed so lately.) (Algid& Trout. There was a squabble, and some oaths, And liquor spilt on plaintiff's clothes, Squire Gudgeon's face was bruised, I've beard, Hts Sunday raiment much besmear d, And Dr. Tench informed me— ( Bore.) Pooh ! Don't tell us, Sir, what Tench told you— Bother. Stop, Mr. hore'um, by your leave— Bore. My Lord, I humbly do conceive-- Bother. These interruptions, I declare, Would almost make a parson swear— Bore. Do, Mr. Bother'um, let me speak— Bother. Now he's begun he'll talk this week— Bore. Well, Mr. Trout, so all you know, then, Is what you've heard of plaintiff's clothing ? AU hearsay, is it ? ( Trost.) No, sir, no,— I lifted up mine eyes, and lo ! I did behold, in wrath, Squire Gull Smite Mr. Gudgeon on the skull ; And Dr. Tench, a Wise anti wary, And learned fen apothecary. Doubted, he said— (Bore.) Do stop, my friend, Cannot I make you comprehend ? Bother. Corse, sir, we won't detain you—Gull You're sure smote Gudgeon on the skull, Trout. He did— Crors-examined by Mr. Roat'ir ser ( Bore. ) Stay, Mr. whaud'yss.call him, You say you saw Gull bruise sad maul him.) Trout. Yes. (Bore.) And you never go to dinners, To feast with publicans and sinners ? What, was the bludgeon pretty thick? Trout. I cannot say I saw the stick. Bon. Stay. Sir, I think that you're a teacher, A spiritual pastor, and a preaeher ; Now recollect you're on your oath, Sir, Alind you do justice to t:ion both, ttr. Was there no boxing match—aak out— Nothing like fighting, Master Trout ? Trout. Why, verily, much strife arose, Divers and rubel) , kinds of blows, • Mach provocation too, albeit. I was COI th ire at ,firat to see .it; A long was lionim'd which caus'd dissantioo, L And seem'd of heathenish invention, ,_Which, though it laded both wit and ketone, '3avour'd of malice and uncleanness, 'And, sung with loud vociferatinn, &tied the defendant's indignation, Who seem'd to think it cast reflections On him and all the Gull connexions : This song, though spiritless and dal!, Did sorely !rouble Mr. Gull, And oft ieneated in his ear, Pid cause him to blaspheme and sweat. 'Till, o—d forgive him for't, he rose, And seising ,r Squire Gudgeon's nose, He squeeed if'tsiet his thumb and Linger, Stamp: on the song, and d—d the singer ; Now when much strife and wrath ensuod, Both which I always have aachsw•d, I fled—trot soon returned to pray That Heaven would stop this sinful fray, And we like brethren might agree, And live in peace and unity— Bother. Swear Dr. Tench— ( Crier. ) Here, Doctor, 100k.._ Take ofr your glove, and kiss the book.— The Doctor's sworn.— ( Bother.) Good Doctor Tench, Pray tell the Jury and the Bench, All that you saw and heard that day— Tench. Sir, I know nothing of the fray,— wu called in at the conclusion, T' tweet a vertical contusion Gudgeon was then without his shirt. His body much beemear'd with dirt : There was an ugly awkward cut Ran quite athwart the occiput, He'd have been comatose, I'm sure, And far beyond my skill to cure, Had I been call'd ten minutes later— I trembled for the data mater The cuticle, or outward skin, Portended something wrong within— The faucet in a sad condition ! Betwixt the nares ne partition ! But both so forc'd into conjunction, Th' olfactories declin'd their functioe, Some teeth were broke, anti some were lost, The incisores suffer'd most, Mach mischief done to the molar..—. And, what a very strange affair is, Not the least symptom could I see Of dent.. sapientire. To all my pugilistic cases, At feasts, elections, fairs, and races, A worse than this I never met, Nor ever saw an Instance yet. In all that branch of my profession, Where blows have made so much impression ! Optics, my Lord, a perfect jelly ! One large contusion on the belly, Two on the costa, and, as I guess, A kick upon the os coccygis, 1-lad caused a tuber, or a bump Around the region of the rump. Bother, You took some blood, Sir, from him (Tench.) Plenty—. Phiehommiz'd him ounces twenty ; ()Weed in lieu, one mince, good weight, Magnesia Vitriolet &betide gave, when faint c c sick, Sir, My renovating Fen-Elirir. Then clapp'd my parent plaster on, , genuine Icthupharmacon.— /father. sir. of vour practice we've no doubt, LiJI C. tio much for Tench,—come hand him scat. [To b*concluded to-morrow.] I:LIMON/BLS INTELLIGRATE. The Marquis of Salisbury left town yesterday for Hatfield. Lard Melbourne Itas left town for Ead Cowper's seat, Paisangcr, Herts. The Dowager Alarchinness of Salisbury arrived In town yester. day limn Lady De Roos's seat in Surrey. The Earl and Countesit Spencer arrived yesterday at their seat at Wimbledon. from the Isle of 11'ight. Big Excellency Count Lieven, and his two sons, left town yester day for Brighton. Sir George and Lady Woombwell left town yesterday fur their seat in SulMk. James Daly, Esq. M. P., has arrived at Fenton's lintel, St. James's Place, from Ireland. Departures from do. ;—M r. and Mrs. Gas ald for Paris; Wm. Dawkins, Esq. for Cheltenham. Mr. and Mrs. M•Kay and family arrived yesterday it the Royal Hotel, St. James's-street, from Ireland. Colonel and Mrs. Grant have left town for Ramsgate. Mr. and Mrs. Garrow have arrived in town from Worthing. Departures from the Burlington Hotel :—.Sir Jenison Gordon, Bart. for his seat in Lincolnshire ; Capt. and Mrs. Graham, far Paris ; William Mills, Esq. for Cheltenham. Mr. and Mrs. Campion and family lett Jordan's Hotel, St. James's -street, yesterday, for Tunbridge Wells. The Rev. Edward St. John and family have arrived at Gordon's Hotel, Albemarle-stroet, from Boulogne. General and the Countess Nershkin left the Pulteney Hotel, Albemarle -street, yesterday, for Brighton. D , :partures from Read's Hotel, Lower Grosvenor-street :—Lady and Miss Fitzgerald, for the York Hotel, Bath ; I linde, I.sq. fur his seat, Ellel Hall, Lancaster ; R. Vansittart, Esq. for his seat in Berks. The Duke of York arrived at his residence, Audley house, on Wednesday afternoon, from Chatsworth, Derby shire, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, where his Royal Highness had been staying on a visit to his Grace. The Royal Duke left town in his travelling carriage and four about two o'clock yesterday afternoon, for the Pavilion, Brighton, where it is expected his Royal Highness will re main some time. 111. st toe E.—On Thursday last this place was honoured by a visit from his Royal Highness the Doke of York, ac companied by her Grace the Duchees of Rutland, who arrived in a coach and six of the Duke of Devonshire's, (attended by six out-riders, who, with the coachman and postillions, were in their dress liveries,) which set down at the Museum. Next his Grace the Duke of Devonshire arrived in his droschi, drawn by three remarkably tine horses abreast, which was followed by a carriage and four, with Lord and Lady Kinnaird, the Hon. Mrs. Wm. Caven dish, and Mrs. Lane' Fox. His Royal Highness greatly admired the establishment, more particularly the black marble and the fine vases of Derbyshire spar, which so much engaged his attention that he remained an hour in the Museum, and made considerable purchases. The Royal and Noble party then honouredllr. Arkwright with a call at Willersley, and after walking through the beautiful and romantic pleasure grounds at that place, returned to the boat house and were ferried to the steps•of the Museum Garden, and then proceeded further up the river Derwent, where they landed and entered the carriages in waiting for them, amidst a large assembly of spectators. His Royal Highness was in excellent health and spirits ; made many inquiries respecting the manufacture of the vases; was ex tremely affable, frequently expressing his admiration of the beautiful scenery, and his delight at having visited Mat lock. The Noble Party vied with each other in selecting fine specimens for his Royal Highness's approhation.— Derby Mercury. The Duke of Clarence arrived on the 2&l at Bruges, on his return from Italy. His Royal Highness has proceeded on his way to London. Mr. Secretary Peel has left his house at Kingsgste, and is staying on a visit to Mr. Finch Hatton, at his residence, Eastwell Park, Kent, on a shooting excursion. The Marquis de Palmella, the Portuguese Ambassador, transacted business at the Foreign Office, Downing-street, yesterday afternoon. Ma. Pi.uwx trr.—Killarney was illuminated on Mon day night, in compliment to the Attorney-General and his family ; and another stag-hunt is getting up to entertain the distinguished visiters.—lrish Paper. " Naw Batonrotr."—A Company has been established, consisting principally of English proprietors, for the pur pose of building a marine village, to be called New Brigh ton, between Seapoint and Dunleary. The ground is al ready taken, and plans, we imagine, are making out for the buildings.—Dublin Freeman s Journal. STtAY NAVIGATION BETWEEN DUBLIN and LITT:t root..—The number of passengers between this port and Dublin has latterly increased to a height which never could have been anticipated. At this moment there are no less than eight large steam-vessels employed in the trade, and many more are preparing. As the intercourse is expected to increase yet very considerably, a London Company have just taken an immense plot of ground, situate on the banks of Dublin harbour, between the city and Kingstown, which they purpose laying out imme diately, and building cottages on it, after the Brighton fashion. This, with the assistance of another Company, employed in erecting an establishment of hot and cold baths contiguous thereto, must render Dublin, in addition to its other attractions, a fashionable watering-place; and we doubt not that many families will go to reside there in the summer season, the communication being now reduced to a certainty, and the vessels as comfortable as they possi ,bly can be.—Liverpuol Courier. The Princess Charlotte, of 140 guns, one of the largest and finest first-rates aser built in England, will be launched fiom Portsmouth in the course of the prig 'lit 'month. BULL-FIGII:dT 3LID7trD. We think Mr. M AR TI N would entert.in a more favour able opinion of the humanity of the lower classes in Eng land,if he were, about this time, to set off for Madrid, and to Witness the splendid cruelty of the Spanish 'Ball-fights, which far outstrip any thing he has ever witnessed; or, think God. is ever likely to-witness, in this country. It is very difficult With off-pees, which although they tna nifest great tleprailty of feeling, and a very coarse and brutal taste, do, nevertheless, not act against the visible and immediate welfare of society. Whi:e the King is among the .:)remost to patronize these shocking and dis graceful.speetaeles in his capital, the relish for them will never lessen among his subjects. It is alike the duty and the interest of a wise - and paternal government to discoun tenance amusements which brutify the character of its peo ple, and which tend to root out from among teem all those feelings which make up the sum of social happiness. We do not apply this consideration to FERDINAND. A 'scene of savage torture is fitted to him, and he is fitted to the scene. We look to the future days, and to the future Sovereigns of Spain. We look to a period—perhaps not far distant—when a power shall arise willing to give, and capable of giting an enlightened and manly direction to the public mind, and of training it to the higher feelings of religion and humanity. The attachment of the great mass of the Spanish population to their bull-fights has struck too wide and deep a root to be easily eradicated, and the best Sovereign might risk his popularity by at tempting it; but we have no fear that the effort will one day be successful, and the advantage gained to the improved character and habits of the Spanish na tion will be incalculable. Charles the Third forbade them, hut they were restored by Charles the Fourth, who again forbade them in 1805. Joa4rit BONArARTIL re-established them, with a view to obtain the popular favour, and on the same principle of policy they were continued by the CORERS. On the return of FIRDINAND, in 1814, it was contemplated again to abolish them, but it was not thought safe to go against the stream of popular infatuation; and within these few years it seems this passion has so com pletely possessed the whole Royal Family, that the KING and the I N FANTAS, not content with the public exhibition, which they never miss, and most munificently support, have begun to have private entertainments of Gull:fig/as at which. Nuldemen enter the lilts; so that they now seem to he more firmly established, and in greater favour than ever. The following very curious and interesting particulars, which bring this extraordinary c:•:hibition actually before the eyes of the reader, are transcribed hum the last number of the American Review:— " The bull-fights take place only in summer, and during the season when the heat isnot extreme, though certainly when, in Madrid, it is excessive, for they are omitted only (hiring August and a small part of July and September. They happen always on Monday, and are given both morning and afternoon ; in the morning with six, and the afternoon with eight balls; but each part of the day, if the royal family be present, which now rarely fails, ' the people demand an extra victim, and it is uniformly granted. " Great prepatations are made long beforehand. Fine bulls are collected from all parts of the kingdom, and pas tured a few miles from Madrid ; the hest and fiercest coin ing from La Mancha, Navarre, and Andalusia. Two days before the festival they are driven in, to the great dis may of any person who may chance to be on the road, for they do not always treat those they meet as civilly as they did Don Quixote near Saragossa. On their arrival they are shut up in a pasture near the amphitheatre, and on Sunday evening vast crowds of the common people go out to see them, as if it were a great show, and amuse them selves in speculating, with touch shrewdness and humour, on the different degrees of courage and skill the different victims will exhibit in the arena. " At length the long-desired day arrives, and, for all purposes of business, Madrid is like a Protestant Sunday. The whole city throngs to the circus, or at least the whole of that floating population which gives life to the streets and shops. Fourteen thousand can obtain admission, but many mote remain waiting on the outside, merely to hear and repeat the shouts and stories that come from within. The amphitheatre itself is built of wood, hut almost pre cisely like the Roman, except that, round its top is a row of covered boxes, in which the principal persons sit, in stead of sitting below, near what was anciently call e d th e podium. Those, who have fixed places, are admitted in the same way they were admitted at the Colosceum, by a ticket indicating the door where they are to enter, and the bench on which their scat is reserved; but those who have no fixed places, that is the poorer classes, go very early,. at six or seven o'clock in the morning, to contend for the best to which they obtain access. • " The clock strikes ten, and, punctual to an instant, be cause the people, which truly feels the power of a people b to-day, as it did in the spectacles and games of Constan tinople, long after such free feeling was elsewhere enti re ly su ued,—punctual to an instant, the CORREGIDOR, 111110 is Me chief police officer of Eke city, enters on a superb horse., richly caparisoned, but himself dressed in a suit of plain black velvet, and followed by four officers ofjustic2; and making his way through the crowd that still fills the arena, advances respectfully to the royal box, and stops he 'math it. There the royal permission to celebrate the les tival is solemnly given, by throwing down to him a key to open the enclosure containing the victims, after which be rides slowly round the amphitheatre, to drive out the mul titude, stopping before each of its four entrances, which he causes to be closed and fastened, and going out at the last himself. . " Five alguazils now come in on foot to see if all be quiet, and examine the whole arena; but as they are the lowest officers of justice, and its executioners, the popu lace usually begins the exercise of its prerogatives for the day, by hissing and hooting them out. IVhen they arc gone, two of the gates of the arena are opened, and a num ber of bulls are driven across and out again, that all may see before hand how fitly the games have been furnished. But from this moment the barbarities of the festival com mence, for as soon as these devoted animals arrive in the stalls where they are kept, an iron barb, or spike, with a riliband attached to it, whose colour indicates the province from which the bearer cotnes, is driven in between the shoulders of each bull; and it may serve as an indication of the state of manners at court to know that the wife of the Infante, Don Casio', has often boasted that she has unused herself wills driving in those very iron:, ti hose chic object is to exasperate the victim, by the torments Noy inflict. "In the meantime, while measures are taking to excite the bulls to the necessary degree of ferocity, which is plainly enough announced to the eager crowd without, by their enraged bellowings, the Corregidor comes in leading two of the Picanoits, or those who, fight on horseback, and places them on each side of the gate by which the bulls must enter. These Picanoas, it should be noted, like all who mingle in the games, first confess themselves in a chapel built and consecrated for the purpose in the grounds of the amphitheatre, where the sacred tapers are kept constantly burning, and a priest and the host constantly ready to ad minister the sacrament, and extreme unction, to any who may be mortally wounded,—a practice singularly charac teristic of that union of gross superstition with vulgar guilt and brutality, which is often found among the ban tlitti and smu•elers of Spain, and of which very striking descriptions are given in many works of Spaniel' fiction ; but especially in the tale of the jealous Estramadurian, by Cervantes. " But to return to the games; the Corregidor, after having placed the two men on horseback at their posts, gallops out ; but returns an instant afterwards with a key, which he gives to the keeper of the gate by which the bull must enter, with permission to open it; and then hastens out again for the last time, humbly saluting the royal box, in sign of having fulfilled all his duties. Thus far, the splendour of the ceremonies, the animation of the crowd, composed more than half of women in their pic turesque national costume, and the grand effect of a com pact tassv of fourteen thousand people, the whole of which can be taken in at one single glance, make the bell-fights, probably, the most exciting and imposing spectacle of modern times. " The festival, as it is called, now begins in earnest. A Isignal is given oni the royal box; a flourish of trumpets instantly follows, accompanied by the shouts of the whole multitude, within and without the amphitheatre; the doors of the den where the bull is confined spring open, and he bounds into the arena, goaded to fury by the irou driven les ;betwtyn his shoulders. Sometimes he makes an instant ' and furious attack on one of the Picaveas ; sometimes he °" ,s ; < 'O4 -.. • ss . A l i — '. 'l A l t ‘P.. • i 44 4 , f i. st ' C 4 4 'W ..: . • ' • •;le hesitates a motnent, startled et we aililtte at crowd r and sometimes he pauses in the centre, with an air el coo . ness and dignity, as if he were not insensible to the ague. :tiny of his persecution. The two Picadors begin the attack. Like all who fight in the games, they are very fancifully and very richly dressed hi the ancient Andalu sian costume, which is partly of Arabic origin, and displays their fine persons to gfeat advantage. It may in some respects be called a splendid dress, and the people are greatly offended at the smallest want of exactness or show in this ancient national costume, to which they are greatly attached, and to winch indeed they associate some of the fondest recollections of their earlier greatness. " These Pt canons are always mounted on hotsebaek, wish peculiar saddles resembling the Mameluke saddles, and with stirrups that cover nearly the whole foot; but except a very imperfect protection for their }cgs, their whole per sons are exposed, and they have nothing to defebd them selves but a long pole called a garrocha, at whose extre mity a sharp spear point is fixed ; but so guarded, that it cannot enter above an inch and a quarter. Qty Vicar:ma only can maintain the contest at a time, audibe Joel must attack him, and not he the bull, or else, as in all other cases of the combat, very great risk, is run. The PICADOR en deavours, therefore, to place thuself in.ftont of the victim, but a little to the left hand ; and the *foment the bull sees him in a threatening position, he stoops his bead for a blow, shuts his eyes instinctively,And runs in full career at his adversary. The horseman, at. The same moment, advances to meet him ; t urns his 'tone, by a aught motion of the bridle-hand, to the left, in order to receive the at tack on his own right, and then endeavours to strike the bull about the shoulder, where, if the blow takes good effict, it is sufficient to push him quite off to the right, and wound him so severely as to make it almost impossible he should still urge his attack. If all this succeeds, as it generally does, the I'icador puts spurs to his horse, gallops triumphantly to the opposite side of the arena, and then returns to meet another assault. If however the blow is ill struck, or if the bull has the courage still to press on, he comes of course within the spear point of his enemy, who, being now without defence, his horse must Inevitably be wounded or killed oa the spot. This is necessarily a mo ment of great apparent danger ; f or th e r id er f a ll s of course, with his horse, arid for an instant is at the mercy of the enraged animal he has so cruelly provoked. Accidents, however, as they are called, are commonly prevented in this, as in all cases during the combat, by a simple, but very ingenious contrivance. In the arena and in a passage or space that runs quite round it, and is separated from it by a barrier about five feet high, are stationed, perhaps a dozen men on foot, with large pieces of cloth several yards long, generally scarlet or blue, and called cepa:, be cause they were originally the cloaks of the combatants. Tina or three of these persons, the instant there is any danger to the Picador, hasten towards the contest completely unarmed, and even come quite near the bull, and play and shake these cloaks before his eyes. lie at once leaves his object, however great may be his fury, and from an instinct of his nature, follows the colour that has dazzled him. The person who carries the croak he pursues, lets it fall, and the bull generally stops and tears it with his feet and horns; but if he advances, the dexterous individual who has ee'uded him and drawn him away springs over the barrier into the passage way, and is safe. Som e ti mes , i n d ee d, t h e e asperated s ani• teal is of force sufficient to leap this barrier, and pursue hit enemy into the space immediately below the lowest row of the spectators. A bull of great power and ferocity has been known to do this repeatedly. But there is no danger from it, for those who arc in the passage have merely to spring back into the arena, where their enemy can follow them only by one of the regular gates, through which he is, indeed, immediately driven back again to the contty, amidst the shouts of the spectators, who thus honour h a s ' rare courage, as if he were sensible to their applause. " A bull of good spirit will continue to attack the Pi cadors, until lie has received ten, and sometimes fifteen blows of the lance, dexterously bestowed; but, by that time, lie finds the contest is more unequal than he at first suppoeed ; his spirits fail, and he stands at hay in the centre; perfectly secure, since the attack must always come front himself, as it is then only, lie so stoops his head and closes his eyes, as to give his adversaries the necessary advantage in the contest. This part of the fight, however, is mere distressing and loathsome than any other, from the horrid sights of cold blooded cruelty it necessarily offers. 04 this point, indeed, the bull-fights are worse than the shows of the gladiators ; for in the Roman amphitheatre, courage and success saved the victim, but here, no courage, ne coolness, no address, can save him, since it is the very prin ciple of the contest, that the bulls should be the most bold end ferocious in the kingdom, and its very entertainment, that when these exasperated animals have defended them selves with a perfect bravery, and killed a large number of unresisting horses, they too should be sacrificed. el siggie ball has been known to kill fear horses in ten minutes. But this is not the worst ; for such is their barbarous economy in the lives of these unfortunate animals, that horses are constantly spurred on to sustain another attack, when !ergs portions of theirfiesh have ,been torn out, while others, who have been so ripped open by the horns of the bull, that ' , gel( bowels are seen hanging down, and literally and visibly marking Me arena with blood every step they advance, are yet compelkd to go on, until they sink downs in 14e ag.nties and convulsions of death. And these, it should be remem bered, are both of them ordinary circumstances in the ex. hibition, and constitute no small portion of its excitement. " At last, then, the wearied victim stands at bay in the centre ; and when it is seen that he will no longer be pro. yoked, by gesture or menace, to attack the Picador, the people express their indignation in loud murmurs, if he has yielded too soon, or applaud hint with shouts that may be heard for miles, if he has continued the fight long and obstinately. Formerly there were three punishments for a bull who showed that he wanted the proper ferocity so early in his trial ; to hamstring him, to give him over to the dogs, and to put squibs and crackers on his back. The first, which was a kind of ignominious death, is nu longer used ; the second, which is extremely cruel, especially to the dogs, is of rare occurrence ; but the last, whose pairs pose is to exasperate the animal's fury, is not very un common, though permitted only when the multitude wia not otherwise be appeased. The cry for fire, or for the dogs, is one of the most appalling shouts of the ate phitheatre, and is uttered in tones peculiarly sharp and savage. " When it is certain the bull will no longer turn on the horsemen, a signal is given from the royal box tbd trumpets sound again; and five or six men called Ramie rdleros, all on foot, and all as fancifully and richly dressed as their predecessors, advance into the arena, armed only with two sticks about 18 inches long, called Banderdlas, or little flags, because they are-gaudily deco ' rated with ribands and painted paper; Their expetnitiffis end in very sharp barbs, and every Banderillero carries one of them in each hand. A single individual; thns arrne.l, now goes in a provoking manner towards the bull, who sfeing but one enemy, and that one so feeble, rushes furl. ously upon him; but, at the instant he stoops his head and shuts his eyes to strike, his cool and dexterous adver. sary plunges these barbed points into his neck, and he in:- vitably shrinks from the suffering they produce. His rage now knows no bounds, for his agony has become intolei. able. The blood from his wounds runs down his sides the foam falls at every breath from his nostrils, he titters piercing cries, tears tip the sand, and attacks what ever he secs, from the undistinguishing fury producea by the acuteness of his torments. The prodigious dex. tent) , of his adversaries, however, trifles rlike with Ws strength and his rage; and every attack he makes on then, only leaves two more of these insupportable torments in has flesh. By the time, however, that six or eight have bean left hanging by their barbs from his neck, he is no longer in a condition to receive any more ; and exhausted, breath less, and almost deprived of the power of resistance, be stands again at bay in the centre. - - - " " Again the trumpets sound, and the third and last form of the fight is begun. The MATADOR (killer) comes slowly into the arena, dressed in a superb suit of black . velycl. and holding only a naked sword in one hand, and a Malt scarlet flag in the other. He presents himself beneittb thi royal box, and there kneeling, receives an order toll*, the sufferings of the noble animal, whose force and ebutao: have been of so little avail to depend himself. l'i r boia t)itt . MATH DOR has received this order, he turas instated?, bill with great cahnners, towards th a bull, who, soh de. ceived by rho appasubt weakness of his adversary, *ad in. iexpreasibly irritated by the acsrlet colour, which, to the last, retains its power to arouse his ferocity, culleett all his strength for one desperate effort of revenge; but misled by