Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-08-19

that all may sec how htly the games have been furnish
cd But from this moment tue barbaritics of tire fc.-
val commence, for these devoted animals ar
rive III the stalls where they kept iron barb or
spike, with ribbon attached TO it, indicating the pro-
vince from which its bearer comes, driven between
the shoulders of each bull to exaspesate the victims by
the tormcnts il inflicts.
In the time, while measures arc taking TO ex-
cite the bulls 10 the necessary degree of Crocity which
plainly enough announced the eager crowd with
out, by their enraged beowngs the Corregidor comes
III leading two of the Picadors or those who .yht on
horseback and places them on each side of the rate
by which the bulls must cutter.
Thus FAR the spendor of the ceremonies the aniina-
ion oil the crowd, composed more than half of women
IN their picturesque national costume and the grand cf
feet oil compact mass of fourteen thousand peoplc
the whole of which can be taken single glance
make the bull fights, probably, the most exciting and
imposing spectacle of modern times. The festiy al as
II Is called, now begins in earnest.
The doors of the den, where the bull is confined
spring open, and he bounds into the arena oaded 10
fury by the iron driven in between his shoulders Some
times he makes an instant and furious attack on one of
Tue flcadoS; sometimes heslaes moment startled "a
the shouts of the crowd and sometimes he pausos in m
centre with air GOODNESS and dignity as il he wore
not insensibie TO the gnomny Of his persecution The
two Picators begin to attack. Like all who FIGHT il,
the gaines, they arevery ncny very richly dress
ed III the ancient Andaiusion costume which is par,
OF Arabic origin, aud displays their fine persons TO 81 ca,
ad, antage.
These Picadors always mounted on borseback
WIN peculiar saddles, resembling the AainsluI<c sad
dies and with srrups that nearly the whole foot:
but, except very tnpef feet protection for rc;r legs
'hcr whole persons arc exposed and they have nothing
10 defend themselves but long nole called r,tyocb
at whose extremity sharp spear point is fixed but so
guarded hat 1t cannot enter above inch and quar-
ter. One PIcador only maintain th, contest nj
Tune and the bull must attack him. and not he the bull
or cse as IN all other of the combat very reot
ist is rum The Picador endeavors therefore, TO place
hhscf IN front OF the victim but little 10 the left
hand; and the moment the bull sees bin in threaten
ing position, he soops his head for blow shuts his ewes
lnstincvey and rams in full career at his a,yersarv-
inc iorseinan, at the moment advances to meet
iln turns hIs horse, by slight motion of the brIIe
hand, to the left, i'll order 10 receive tbe attach o L;
own right and then endeavours TO strike the bull about
tue shoulder where, II the blow takes good effect II
SHlncieht TO push him quite of TO the right and wound
nhh SO severely as TO make it almost impossible he
should still urge the attack If all this succeeds no
generally docs, the Pcador puts TO his horse gal
tops riumphanty TO the opposite side OF the arena and
Then returns to meet another assault If however tho
oioW is Ill struck, if the bull has the courage still In
press on, he comes of within the smear point m
MS enemy, who being now without defence his horse
must inevitably be wounded or killed ON the snot T;s
Is necessarily moment of great apparent danger for
'e rder alis, OF course, with his horse and for an in
t IS a' the mercy OF the cnraged animal lie has SO
cruelty provoked.
bull of good spirit viii continue TO attack The Pi
cadors, until lie has received ten and sometimes fifteen
oioVs OF the Ia'ce, deXterously bestowed but by at
trne he finds that the contest more UNEQUAL t!an ne
al hrst supposed; his spirits fall and he stands al o in
inc centre perfectly secure, since tie attack must al
ways come from bnnself is then only he so stoons
s head and closes his eyes, give his adversnrjcs
thc necessary advantage in tie contest A snole hull
has been known TO kill four horses in ten minutes nt
his Is not the worst for such is their barbaros eccno
NY u e Fes OF theSe unfortunate animais, that hors-
es are constantly spurred sustain another attacc
"ieh large portions of their flesh have been torn out;
whlie others, who have been so ripped opcn nv tho
noihS OF me ou that their Viscera seen hanging
Go"n and literally and vsably marking e arena with
oood every step they advance vet compeed IN ro
on until they sink down in the agors and CONVERSIONS
OF death: And these, should be remembered arc
oot OF them ordinary circumstances in the exhibition
aou constitute small portion of its excitement
When it is certain the bull will no longer t,tn nm tho
hoTSemen, signal is given from the royal box: the
Jumpers SOUND again; and five called EJ,.-
ae7HeoS all on foot and all as fancifnlIv and ricll,
dressed as their predecessors advance into the
armed only with two sticks about eighteen inches Ion,
ca'ed iae7(las, or little flags because they are acau
uiy decorated with ribbons and painted Their extre
mites end IN very sharp barbs aud every Ban1cr,Ilo
carries one OF them in each hand. single nJiv;ua
mus armed, now goes in provoking manner towards
inc quill no seeing but enemy, and That one so
iec0ie, ruShes ETiousy upon him but a c nsiaut no
sleeps his head and shuts his ewes To strike lie cI |
deXterous adversary plunges these barbed points INTO
MS ncCk and &c inevitably shrinks from the suferinr
Vhct FFcduce' i1is rage now knows bounds for his
d5oLy mas become iutocrablc The blood from his
WOUNDS runs down his sic, tie foam falls every breath
rom his nosris he uters piercing cries, tears up The
SAND ana attacks whatever he Secs from the undstin-
guIsng fury produced by the acueness of his torncnts
me Picngions dexterty of his adyersarcs, however
tribes alike with his strenth and his rage and every
TACK nc makes on them, only leaves two more of these
insupporable tormens in his flesh I,y fle tinc boya
YER eat SIX or eight have been left hanging by their
oaroS from his neck, he IS longer in a condition
70 recelTe any more; and exhausted breaClless and
almost deprived of the power CT resistance he stands
again at bay in the centre.
AGAIN the rnmpos sound, and the third and last form
OF Inc light is begun. The .II4tudo, fklerl comes
Sio"y IN Tue arena, dressed in superb suit OF black
yeIye'' ana holding only naked sword in one hand
an1 small scarlet flag in the other lie presents him
sen beneath the royal box, and ltneeng there re-
ceTeS an order to finish the suerings Of the noble ami
ma whose force and courage have been Of so little
aVaii 10 defend him. When the Matador has received
oFGer he turns instantly but with great canncss
'oWaids the bull, who again deceived by the weak
ness OIL MS adversary, and nexpressiby rtated by the
Scafle colour, which, 10 the last, retains its power TO
rouse his ierociy, collects all his strength for one
effort OF revenge but rnisled by his very in
5'hct ms attack falls upon the flag and not the Biata
uo' MS lorns pass inevitably within a hair breadth Of
we ne OF his adversary, who confdept in his ogn skill
al l'sI very instant turns very slightly on one foot e-
we sword at the juncture Of tie neck and shoulder
9iade m 'front.' and holds firmly till the fury of the hui
a ofYen him full upon it, and left il to the t in his