The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register. (Wilmington, Del.) 1824-1825, 1825-01-27

given IN honour of the new Viceroy' install
alton. 1t took place in an immense wooden
amphtheatre, capable Of holding, it was
said twenty thousand people. As we had
been disappointed at Valparaiso by sham
bull-hght, we hoped here to witness an ex-
hibition worthy of the mother country. But
the resemblance was not less faulty, though
in the opposite extreme, for the bulls were
here put to death with SO many unusual Cir
cumstances of cruelty, as not only to make
it unlike the proper bull-hghts, but take a
way all pleasure in the spectacle from per-
sons not habituated to the sight These ex-
hibitions have here to do more than advert
to some circumstances peculiar to those OF
Lima.
After the bull had been repeatedly spared,
and tormented by darts and fire works, and
was all streaming with blood, the matador,
on signal from the Niceroy, proceeded to
despatch him.-Not being, however, sufii-
GENTLY expert, he merely sheathed his sword
III the animals neck without effect. The
bull instantly took his revenge, by tossing the
matador to a great height i'll the air, and
he fell apparently dead i'll the area. The
audience applauded the bull, while the
attendants carried off the matador The
bull next attacked horscman, disinountcd
him to the ground, where he was not suffer
ed to die in peace, but was raised on his legs,
and urged, by whipping and goading, omovc
round the ring in state too horrible to be
described, but which afforded the spectators
the greatest delight. The noble bull had
thus succeeded in battling tormcntors as long
as fair means were used, when a cruel de-
vice was thought of to subduc him. A large
covered instrument called a Luna was thrown
at him from behind in such a way as to di
vide the hamstrngs Of the hind legs; such,
however, were his strength and spirit, that
lie did not fall, but, actually travelled along
at a tolerable pace on his stumps, a most
horrible sight This was not all, for a man
armed with dagger now mounted the bulls
back, and rode about for some minutes to the
Infinite delight of the spcctors, who were
thrown into ecstacies, and laughed and clap
ped their hands at every stab given to the
miserable animal, not to kill him, but to
stimulate him to accelerate his pace at
length, the poor beast, exhausted by loss Of
blood, fell down and died.
The greater number of the company, al
though females, seemed SO enchanted with
the brutal scnce passing under their eyes,
that looked round, in vain, for single face
that looked grave; every individual seemed
quite ideligiltcd and it was melancholy to
observe great proportion of children
amongst the spectators, from one of whom,
little girl, only eight years old, ] learned
that she had already seen three bull-figllts
the details of which She gave with great ami
nation and pleasure, dwelling espccily on
those horiid circumstances have described.
1t would shock and disgust to no purpose to
give minute account of other instances Of
wanton cruelty, which, however, appeared
to be the principal Recommendation OF these
exhibitions.
The reflections which force themselves on
the mind, Oh contemplating whole popua-
tion frequently engaged in such scenes, arc
Of a painful nature; for it seems impossible TO
conceive, that, where the taste is so thorough
ly corrupted, there can be left any ground
work OF right feelings upon which to raise
superstructure of principle, Of knowledge,
or of just sentiment.
After seeing these savage exhibitions, and
the more than savage manner in which they
were received, 1t was impossible to help
feeling, i'll spite of our much talkcd-o ncu-
trallty, that any change would put a stop to
such proceedings was greatcly to be wished
In every instance in South America, where
the cause of independence has succeeded,
two measures have been invariably adopted
as matters of course; one the abolition q
the slave-tradc, and as far as possible of
slavery the other, the REIMBURSEMENT OF
bull-fghts. With respect to the slave ques-
ton, most people think alike; but many
hesitate as TO the propriety Of doing away
the bull-hghts, especially those who have
witnessed them i'll Spain only, or who have
never witnessed them at all; but it is rare to
hear any one condemn the measure after lie
has once been present at those Of Lima.
In the cool part of the day, for about an
hour and half before sunset, the lailiqs
walk abroad, dressed in a manner probably
unique, and certainly highly characteristic
of the spot This dress consists Of two parts,
one called the Saga, the otller Manic. The
! first is a peticoat, made to lit the body 50
tightly, that, being at the same time quite
elastic, the form of the limbs is rendered
distinctly visible. The Manto, or cloak, is
also a pcticoat, but, instead of hanging a
bout the heels, as all honest peticoats ought
to do, it is drawn over the head, breast; and
IS kept SO close By the hands, which it also
! conceals, that no part Of the body, except
one eye, and sometimes only small portion
Of ole eye, is perccptible. The effect Of the
whole is exceedingly striking; but, whether
its gracefuness-for, with the fine figure
OF the Lima women and their very beautiful
style Of walking, it is eminently graceful
be sufficient to compensate for its undenia-
bic indelicacy; SO a European eye, will de-
pend much upon the Strangers taste, and
NJ, ,,f e. 1.