The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-18 00:00:00

THE IMPERIAL COUhT IN THE

PYRENEES.

BAYONNE, SEPT. 14.
Prince Adalbert and the Infanta his wife left for
Paris last. evening. Their departure was accom-
panied by the same honours from the garrison and
the citadel as their arrival.
The departure of the Emperor and Empress for
Paris, and thence to Compiegne, is spoken of for
the 25th or 29th, but this will in a great measure
depend on the state of the weather. The fine
season, which has continued so long, begins to
show signs of a change, and some heavy showers
of rain, with a sudden freshness in the temperature,
indicate the approach of a season less propitious
for the sojourners at Biarritz.
It has been frequently tried to introduce, and
even permanently establish on the French soil the
great national sport of Spain, but as yet the at-
tempt has not been successful ; and wherever the
tauromaquia is practised by Frenchmen exclusively
it has proved as unsuccessful an imitation as Pari-
sian barricade-building would-be in Spain. French-
men surpass Spaniards and all other people in that
species of street architecture, as the citizens of
Madrid, Cadiz, and Seville beat everyone in the
science of the bull-ring. When Spaniards are not
the directors and principal actors in such displays
the cprrida is merely the unscientific and stupid -
butchery of a noble animal worthy of a better fate.
For some weeks past it was rumoured that a dis-
play of the kiud would take place at St. Esprit,
which, though officially belonging to the depart-
ment of the Landes, is really a suburban division_
of the town of Bayonne. For some reason or other
the sport bad been put off, but for last Sunday a
bull-fight strictly in accordance with the Spanish
rule and fashion was announced, and the quiet
town eras accordingly inundated by crowds of
strangers. The Basque country sent its popu-
lation, male and female ; from Cambo, Haspar-
ren, Itsatsou, Irun, Fontarabia, Andouins, To-
losa, and from Bordeaux, the Paris of the
south, came 'not less than 1,500 of its citizens
to witness the feats of the Spanish matador.
From an early hour in the morning the Adour
and the Nive were covered with boats of every size
and form, laden with passengers thronging to the
point of rendezvous. They were all, however,
doomed to be disappointed. The sky was covered
with clouds in the early part of the day, and tor-
rents of rain began to fall just at the hour for which
the spectacle had been fixed. There was no help
for it, and the bull-fight was again put off, to the
great regret of all, but particularly of the crowds
that had come from Bordeaux that morning by
the train, de plaisir. This day, however, it took
place in spite of many misgivings as to the state of
the weather. Rain fell-at intervals from 11 o'clock
till -2, but at that hour a brisk wind sprting,up,
which dispersed the clouds, and the sun once more
appeared in a clear sky. A half-past two the gates.
of the bull-ring were thrown open, and the anxi-
ous crowds who had for hours braved the incle-
mency of the weather, and who did not despair of
its clearing up, rushed in, and in a few minutes
every bench and box was full. Soon after the Boa-
peror and Empress, accompanied by a numerous
suite, made their appearance. Their reception by
the multitude was all that could be desired. Out
of compliment to the Empress the national air of
Spain was struck up by the band of the 35th Regi-
ment as their Majesties entered, and soon after the
livelyjota of arragon indicated that the bull-fighters
were ready. The ceremonial of the bull-ring of
Madrid "when royalty honours the spectacle with
its presence was observed on the present occasion.
The bull-fighters, arrayed in their richest-costume,
achianced to the front of the Imperial box, bent on
one knee, and the Alguazil asked for-the gilt key,
which is supposed to open •the den where the ani
orals are kept. It was thrown down to hirh. by
the Empress. The Alguazil proceeded to the stall,
and the bull-fighters dispersed about the ring to
take their places in expectation of the bull. The
espada, or leader of the troop, was the well-known
Manvel Egana. He is a man about 30 years of age;
his dark eyeS, incessantly moving about, give a sin-
gular expression to his swarthy but not ill-favoured
countenance, and his thick eyebrows impart a ferocity
which, however, is mitigated by the tranquil and con-
fident smile on his lips. He is strongly built, broad-
giumlrlarati mid rn _ _
rich green silk costume embroidered in silver. A
long yellow cloak hung on his left arm ; his right
hand was placed on his hip, and he walked about
for some time as tranquilly and as much at his ease
as if he was in a wine shop in the Lavapies. His
companions, who were young and smart toreros,
were also gaily dressed. Three French ecarteurs

from the Landes followed modestly in the rear of
the brilliant cuadrilla. The Spanish portion of the
assemblage, not accustomed to such an intrusion,
aid not appear to make out why the ecarteurs were
placed in the bull-ring, and in fact they did look
rather out of place and awkward by the side of
their companions. In some towns of the south of
France similar sports are held and conducted after
a French fashion, and the reason why they wore
mingled on this occasion was owing to the desire of
some persons to see the bull-fighters of both na-
tions exercise their art in company. To-day, how-
ever, the public disapproved such an innovation.
The Spanish toreros were the only champions to
whom attention was given ; and the Landais took
but a very small part in the proceedings.
The first bull that appeared on the arena was
what connoisseurs call of the abanta class—that is,
cunning, treacherous, and " hypocritical." The
crafty animal did not bound into the ring with
precipitation and fury. He crept out, as it were,
stealthily, and, when least expected, made a rush
at Aguirre, the torero of the blue cloak, who by a
slight but skilful movement evaded the dangerous
horns, but.yet remained still, and allowed the dis-
appointed animal to rush blindly on until ho per-
ceived that his enemy had disappeared. A cloud
of chulos then began to distract his attention.
They roused him to fury by shaking their cloaks in
his face, and the espada Egaua' profiting by the
favourable opportunity, for which he had remained
quietly on the watch, advanced under his very
horns, and executed an admirable sucrte a la Na-
varra. Banderillas, or darts, were planted in the
animal's neck with much dexterity by Aguirre and
Condoya ; and in less than half an hour Egana
killed his beast at one stroke, without causing him
to shed a drop of blood.
The second bull, though fiercer in aspect and
more impetuous in his movement, was in realtry
less dangerous than the first. His mode of attack
was more open, more " frank," sooner understood
and better calculated by the fighters. On his first
rush from the don he went bounding round the
ring in great fury and leaped the barriers, but lie
soon got tired, and showed no great desire to fight.
Egana planted in his neck a couple of darts with
gunpowder at the points, and the heated weapons
soon produced their effecb ; his apathy disappeared,
and he was quickly roused to fury. He pawed the
earth, and made desperate but useless efforts to
fling off his torturing appendages. .theret lethalis
arundo. In a few minutes two French bull-fighters
and two Spaniards were sprawling on the ground.
A fresh pair of fire banderillas were planted by.
Baquez, and a third by Condoya. When the mo-
ment tor despatching him came ho was killed by
Egana at the second blow ; and the public were so
pleased that the carcase was given to him as a per-
quisite.

The story of the third bull did not much differ
from the preceding ones. But Egana was not so
fortunate in his contest with the fourth. When
taking his position to kill the animal he was thrown
to the ground and trampled on. His dress was
torn to pieces in a few moments by the bull's horns,
and, though his companions ran at once to his
assistance, they could not prevent him from being
severely hurt. Egana asked, and of course ob-
tained, permission to retire from the ring.
The fifth bull was killed, though unscientifically,
by Condoya, the second espada, who executed what
I believe billiard players would call a fluke. In
fact, the animal was lying dead at his feet before
his slayer was aware of it ; a stroke, unintention-
ally dealt between the horns, and which entered
the spinal marrow, killed the bull in an instant.
Condoya was applauded vehemently, but it would
appear by those who are not thoroughly acquainted
with,the tauromaquia ; be contemplated the car-
case with no small astonishment at his own luck,
but naturally felt proud of his easy victory.
To the admirers of such a display the absence of
picadores, or mounted lancemen, was of course a
great drawback ; but, so far as it went, the sport
was pronounced to be very fair. The animals,
which had been brought from Navarre, had, it was
said, lost much of their vigour by the delay and
the influence of the rain of last week, and were
therefore seen to a disadvantage.
As is usual in such cases the skill of the princi-
pal artistes in this sort of drama was freely discussed
by the learned among the spectators. It was ad-
mitted that Egaua was a very good bull-fighter.
lie has, however, little experience ; he is ignorant
of the finer tricks of his profession ; and of which
Cuchates, the celebrated espada, is so consummate
a master. It seems he plays the same suertes with
every kind of bull, and this it is feared viill some

' day be fatal to him. Egana, we are told, would
figure well as second espada with Cuchares, or the
Salamanquino, for his chief, but it is doubted whe-
ther he is competent to take the leadership of a
cuadrilla. He has been spoilt by playing first part
in small towns of the northern provinces of Spain,
and connoisseurs are of opinion that he should
" study" in the different bull-rings in Andalusia,
and carefully observe how Cuchares, Salatnanquino,
El Tato, El Rigatero, Manuel Perez, Mendivil,
Lucas (el Africano), and others, do their work.
With the exception of Minato and Pulga, wh
have not yet been equalled, no one is superior to
him as a banderillero.
The Emperor and Empress remained to the last.
They were applauded on returning, and the Spanish
national air was again played when they took their
departure.

ENGLISH PRESS AND AmERICANS.

If our American brethren judge of English op -
nion by our newspapers, and suppose the Times to
be our mouthpiece, they must occasionally stand
amend at our ignorance and inconsiEtency. One
day the Times takes the Address of the venerable
Josiah Quincy as its text, and exhibits the condi-
tion of the American Union under the crisis of its
sectional difficulties ; and presently it finds fault
with Mr. Quincy for leaving out half the question,
and failing to show how the slaveholders are to
abolish slavery. One would think the writer had
not read the pamphlet he professes to review ; not
even the title-page. The subject of Mr. Quincy's
Address is "The Nature and Power of the Slave
States, and the Duties of the Free States." This is
what the aged patriot undertook to show, and what
he has shown, according to the views which he
holds. Mr. Quincy is not an Abolitionist. He ex-
pressly disclaims the title in the pamphlet before
us. He treats, not of the condition of the
negro, but of the condition and prospects
of his country. He is a citizen of a sove-
reign State, which abolished slavery long ago,
and which is one of a federation of above thirty
sovereign States, which find themselves now no
longer enjoying the equal rights and privileges
which are the declared foundation of their Union.
The thirty-one states contain a population of
twenty-six millions. This population is at present
suffering under intolerable oppression from a mere
fraction of its number. The slaveholders are only
between a half and .a quarter of a million ; and
this number—of whom not more than one thou-
sand are believed to be active and powerful—con-
trouls the political and social action and fate of all
the rest of the twenty-six millions. The Free
States, which long ago abolished slavery, find
themselves now made the slave catchers and the
political serfs of the Slave States, which are moved
by the thousand or few thousands of slaveowners
who have usurped the political power of the Fede-
ration. It is becoming understood now that the
slave power, which is thus oppressive and usurp-
ing, is not that of the Slave States at large.
Besides that the slaveowners themselves are in-
creasingly wretched and discontented under t e
system which had impoverished their fortunes, i -
paired their social reputation, and made their rep. -
licanism a laughing-stock, it is now becoming kno n
-o
that the whole body of slaveholders'are nly4lii e-
tenths of the white population of the South n
States. Seven-tenths of that Southern white po , -
lation have the strongest possible interest in the
establishment of free labour. Such is the distri-
bution of power and of numbers in the United
States. Mr. Quiuey's undertaking was to show
how it came to pass that the power resides in the
hands of so insignificant a minority, and what ought
to be done to check the usurpation which shmild
never have been permitted. He shows that the
unconstitutional admission of Louisiana into the
Union, by Southern intrigues, was the fatal
" usurpation " against which Washington had
warned his country. He traces the progress of the
encroachment of the South upon the rights of the
North ; he refers his readers to the territorial ag-
gressions which have been perpetrated becanse
slavery wears out old soil, and perpetually demands
a new extension ; . and he shows how thefinal usir-
pation of the soil of Nebraska and Kansas—the free-
dom of which was formerly constitutionally secured,
must occasion the final conflict between the
_ _II. _.............- - _2,, .- ..:-.0 . - ..--..._,--,.. .....-.... * • ... 1 _ -

and the usurpation of 350,000 slaveholders. An
eminent citizen, between 80 and 90 years old, who
has seen the founders of the republic, and known
its first generation of statesmen, stands forth in the
crisis of events, not to deliver an abolition lecture,
but tQ exhibit the peril of the republic, and to give
his counsel about saving it ; and the Times com-
plains that he does not show the slaveholders how
to dell with slavery ! What has he to do with the
methods they must use 1 The citizens of his State
have not been slaveholders for two generations ;
and they now at length refuse to be made the tools
and the victims of those who aro. The first thing
that eßsuei on such a protest always is that the
slaveholders demand that the protesters shall show
how the evil is to be dealt with. Dr. Channing
was assailed in the same way that Mr. Quincy is
now, and he nearly fell into the snare. Happily
some experienced persons warned him that the
Southern leaders would ride off on objections to
every method he could be induced to propose
—even supposing him qualified to propose any.
The same dodge was tried in Congress with
John Quincy Adams when he was remonstrat-
ing against the breach of constitutional safe-
guards. The Times now attempts to encounter Mr.
Quincy in the s tine way. What Dr. Channing tiad
to do was to assert the principles of human free-
dom. What ex-President Adams had to do was to
vindicate the right of petition. What Mr. Quincy
undertook to do was to exhibit the actual position
of affairs, and to point out " the duties of the Free
States"—not the procedure of the Slave States.
No one has a right to make the demand ; and if it
were otherwise, the most ineffectual appeal possible
would be that adopted by the Times—urging that
the sla,velioldere did not create their " peculiar in-
stitution," and intimating that it cannot be mended.
There is an answer to such an appeal, though
Mr. Quincy is no way bound to offer it. If the
slaveholders did not create slavery, they pre-
ferred it when the crisis of 1820 compelled them
to a choice. Slavery was the choice of the South
first when the Missouri Compromise was formed ;
and again when it was repealed. It is not true—
and the Times must know it, unless it is ignorant
of the whole history of the case—that slavery is
the doom and not the choice of the slaveholders.
The North abolished it ; the South chose to pre-
serve it; and now both must act in accordance
with their decision. The Northern citizens must
guard the area of the free labour which they
have preferred to slave industry. The area is now
attacked in the form of an usurpation of the soil of
Kansas. The Free States must induct free labour
into it, and support and protect it there, as the al-
tentative to the subjection of twenty-six millions
of republican citizens to the self-will and self-in-
terest of half a million. As for the Southern men
—they may choose for themselves whether to secede
from the Union in which they must henceforth
bear only their due share of power and privilege,
or to yield to the conditions under which alone
they can remain in the Union. They must decide
for themselves whether to uphold or abolish slavery
within their own boundaries. The North will no
longer help them to uphold it, nor permit the Con-
gressional District of Columbia to be peopled by
slaves. But within their own frontiers the sove-
reign States of the South can do as they please about
their institutions of every kind. The world sees how
poor those States are in wealth—how deteriorated in
fertility, how scantily peopled, and how barbaric in
morals and manners; and the world therefore thinks
it would he wise in the citizens to abolish the cause
of their poverty and barbarism. But about this
the citizens can please themselves. When the
seven-tenths of the whites to whom we have re-
ferred—the whites who do not hold slaves—obtain
a true knowledge of their position, they will use
their majority for the abolition of slavery. Mean-
while, the South must submit to equality of federal
rights with the North, or quit the Union. This is
all Mr. Quincy has to say, and very clearly he has
said it.

Whenever the Southern States find it necessary
to abolish slavery, they will find it can be done.
What is necepsay is always possible. The Times
writes as if slavery had never been abolished be-
fore ; whereas the thing has been done repeatedly,
and always with final success. Hayti is not a case
in Point ; for it was an internecine war between
the whites and free mulattoes which incidentally
occasioned the liberation of the black, and not any
anti-slavery movement. Our sugar production has
recovered as high a point of success as it reached
in the palmiest days of protection ; and American
cotton will be produced by free labour, or ex-
changed for some other product. All considera-
tions combine to indicate that the negroes will work
better as paid labourers than as slaves, if only
the masters will treat them as paid labourers arc
treated everywhere. If not so, the world cannot
:;o backward for the sake of a quarter of a mild:Aa
of slave-owners: Cotton is rising in many places,
in successful riva4hip to that of the Southern