The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-07-04
From the .Ne,o York Daily .AdrertlSer.
A RIJTJ, FIGHT

The Spaniards, in common with emigrants
OF other nations, have introduced into their
colonies the habits and manners of the moth
er country. Their attachment to bull-fght-
ing has been proverbial for many years. In
Cuba, the Creoles have added love of cock
lighting. | have seen dozen gentlemen, on
board Spanish steamboat, each accompa-
MED with game-cock, and servant to at
tend him. The bull-fght is, however, con-
sldered the most magnificent display, both
from the number of persona es who attend,
the skill of the combatants. and the power
Of their enemy.
Within eight rods of the walls of the
Havana, and near the most southern of the
| five gates, is erected a large wooden am
| phItheatre, with TWO lows of boxcs, one
above the other, on the ordinary plan of a
circus, excepting that it is much larger, and
has no pit. 1t is called Plaza de I0rOS-
literally" bull place." Here, every four
days, the inhabitants of the Havana have
din opportunity of witnessing the sport of
Spaniards. Foreigners who visit either
Spain or her colonies, usually go, from GU
riosity or other motives, once and this is
quite enough. attended one.
Notice had been given by the superin-
liberal and enlightened public of Havana,
no pains had been spared to train the bulls
properly, to make them fierce, and to rem
der the exhibition highly superior. 1t COM
menced al O'clock, P. NJ. The price of
entrance, was half dollar on the shady
side, and twenty cents where the spec
tators were exposed to the sun: twenty
five cents additional where special seat
was furnished.
| At the time we entered, the mass Of the
people had assembled and it being few
minutes past the hour, the shouts Of the
mob were loud, for the appearance of the
bull. There were, as far as we could
Judge, about 5000 persons present. A few
minutes more elapsed, and the cries of the
spectators, for bull, again rent the air.
On one side of the arena, a gate was thrown
open, and two men on horseback entered
one clothed in black, and the other in green
silk. They wore also military caps, and
were armed with long, smooth poles (picas,)
at the end of which was small pike, about
an inch in length. They were decorated
with n variety of ribbons of different col
ors, tied in bows at their shoulders, knees,
breasts and arms. They wore stout, heavy,
leathcrn boots, which reached nearly to
their thighs. The horses and their accout-
rements were also adorned with ribbons
Handkerchief were passed round their
heads, between their forelock and the eyes
in order to blind them in the contest. The
ridors wore long, sharp spurs These are
called picGdoreS. Next appeared four 9TH
ers, on foot, clothed in yellow, scarlet
black, and green satin, with similar decor
ations of ribbons; but without caps
Their hair was fastened in a cue behind
and they wore.no boots, but breeches, with
white silk stockings, and the lightcs
pumps. Each in his hand, bore piece O
silk, about a half a yard wide, and two
yards long, of the same color as his dress
The mob hailed their appearance with nj
additional shout; and the sound of tho
trumpet was the signal for the coming O
the bull. On the opposite side from where
the horses had entered, gate was thrown
open, and man stood over the top of i
with two barbed arrows (called bGnderTltdS,
which displayed variety of paper decor
atoms. The animal appeared at the gate
the man plunged the banderillas into hi
neck and all the paper decorations in
moment exploded. The bull, with sud
den bound, and apparently with his bacl
all on fire, leaped to the centre of the cir
Gle. Panied by the arrows in his neck, h,
, stopped in moment, snuffed the air, gazel
, at the spectators, and shook his head il
defiance. The matadores appeared before
, him. and threw their robes. He caugh
) the colors they displayed, flew at then
r with the rapidity of lighting, and they LEI
F. the ring in moment, through small nIPr