The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-10-21

an English resident at Vera Cruz, to see
new establishment for the distilling of brandy.
A plentiful repast was served up in the
Spanish style, in house built of sticks. Ot
the greater portion of the dishes, l could
not learn the component parts but one strik-
ing figure was pig three months old, roast
ed whole and stuffed with walnuts which
thought an excellent dish and well cooked.
There was great want Of knives, as only
one was allowed to each table, and was
told that this was common in Spanish Ameri-
ca. Before dinner was over species OF fun,
something like that which is practlsed dur
ing the carnivalS at Rome, commenced. ~
gentleman, rolling piece OF bread between
his fingers to the size OF pea, would with
the greatest dcXtcrity and privacy, ling 1t
in the face Of some one employed IN eatlnB
the party struck generally had his suspci-
GUS of the party from whence 1t came, ana
would watch his opportunity OF returning
the compliment. The more surprise was
excited, the more this sort OF hostility was
Dractised, till the battle became general,
and at last whole cakes were expended in
this species of sport. The fair part OF our
company retired to Il plain before the house,
and were followed by the gentleman, tho
game still continuing
10 tIlS Ni'lNii,S w q GuitSl 7,
strummed by Il pretty little girl, about II
years old, and some ladies accompanied with
their voices the movements of their feet.
Whilst this amusement was going on, hne
voting ball WAS brought and tied to a tree
the beautiful little animal seemed for while
to enjoy the noisy sport as much as any Of
the company, till he received several very
marked insults, when he lost his temper,
10, ,t,,, at
dian, against whom he had several times
shown marks Of hostility Several persons
now Joined in the attempt to work him up to
tho highest point of irritation; the young men
advanced in front oi him with only apocket
handkerchief, and when they had provoked
him to attack them, woad merely step aside
leaving the handkerchief covering his face
l'hc contest had continued without any one
being cndangcred when making a charge at
his Indian friend, the bull broke the rope !;
but the sable adversary t4rncd short and
seized him bv the tail, and coiltrived to hold
him till another rope was passed round his
body, and he was again secured. a soldier
nc,.t lcaped apon his back, but after few
efforts the animal threw him 10 cons!dcra-
bic distance, and he fell with violence 1t
now became quite furious, when an Indian
spvung upon its back, clasping its sides with
his legs, and resisting every Chort OF the bel
lowing brute to dislodgc him, finally gallop-
cd off into wood.
1T was the first time had ever Witnessed
any thing Ike 4 bull fight, even OF this
mimic kind; and as the parties did not seem
to apprchend any peril, the laughter, III
which the females had no inconsdcrablc
share, was very bolsterous and long continn-
ed. Some OF the ladies remarked that the
sun WAS low, when general retreat was
made to the house ] concluded all was
ovcr but u long old table WIS brought out,
and the friend to whom had been introluc-
cd whispered to me that was to witness the
conclusion Of all Spanish parties.
Cards were produced, the table was i'm
mcdatrly spread with doubloons and dollars.
and considerable sums, were won and lost
in few minutes. ] was shocked to observe
the change which took place, and in 50 short
i time, from boisterous but innocent mirth,
to a display of passions Of the wort kind,
and in which the ladies acted still! more un-
pleasant part than in the former sports.
| Those beautiful beaming black eyes which
but a few Minutes before, had sl}arklcd with
life and 10y were nov overcast and Touring
with expressions of avaricc and discord not
one Smile OF just occurred during the whole
OF this short scene: for it only continued
4 while the horses were getting ready, when
our calalcadc consisting of twenty two ami
mails tool. IA narrow path through the woods
I 1t was some tinc before hilarity resumed its
sway, when some curvettin5 and racing
took place, among the sprightiy littlc char
gers. We entered the city Of Xalappa after
sunset in body, and ! was much pleased
! with what had seen the entertainment i'll
its leading features, carried me back to the
days OF good Queen Bess.'