The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-06-14
flSer.
CUEA IN 1897.
LETTER ~.

OF Otner UationS, nave lutTouuNeu ii''o e"N'
colonies the habits and manners OF the moth
er country. Their attachment to bull-hght-
ing has been proverbal for many years.
In Cuba the Creoles have added great
love Of cock fighting. have seen dozen
gentlemen, on buord Spanish steamboat.
each accompanied with a game cock. and
servant to attend him. The bull night Is,
however, considered the most magnificent
display, both from the number OF pcrsonag-
cs who attend, the skill of the combatants,
and the power OF the enemy.
Within eight rods of the walls o! the Ha-
vana, and near the most southern ot the hve
gates, is erected a large wooden ampltheatre
with two rows Of boxes. one above the oth~
er, on the ordinary plan OF circus, except
ing that il is much larger, and has no PIT. IL
is called Plaza Ge 1oreS--litcraly "bnli
place" Here every four days, the mhab,t-
! ants Of the Havana have an opportunity OF
witnessing the sport Of Span'ards. Foreign
ers who visit either Spain or her colonies,
usually go from curiosity or ether motives,
/ oRcc : and this is quite enough. ATTENDED,
one.
/ Notice had been given by the superintend-
ent, that, ever anxious to CRAFTY the iperai
and enlightened public OF Havana, NO pans
| had been spared To train the bulls properly,
to make them fierce, and to render the eX-
hibition highly superior. 1t commenced at
O'Clock, p. NJ. The price OF entrance was
half "A dollar on the shady side, and twenty
FIVE cents where the spectators were expos
cd to the sun; twenty-five cents additional
where a special seat was furnished
At the time we entered the mass of peo-
pie had assemblies; and in being few min
utes 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 few minutes more
elapsed, aud the cries Of the spectators, for
bull, again rent the air. On one side Of .Oe
arena gate was thrown open. ana two men
on horseback entered: one clothed IN black,
and tNe other IN SILK They wore also mi.
itarv cauS. and were armed with long smooth
poles (picas) al the end Of which WAS q snall
pike, about an inch III lcnglh. lhcv wrfc
decorated with great variety ot rih1ohs OF
different colours, ticd in bows At their SAou!
! ders, knees, breasts, and arms. lheN wore
, stout. heavy, leathcrn boots. which reaeh"d
a nearly to their thighs The horses and their
/ accoutremrnts were also adorned with rib-
/ bons Handkcrchiets were passed round
. their heads, between their trelock ana thc
T. ewes in order to blind them IN tho contest
5 The riders wore long sharp spurs. These
+ are called Gic0Gorea Next appeared toll
e others, OH foot, clothed in yellow scarlet
4 black, and green satin, with similar decora
3 lions of ribbons; but without Caps. Then
!, hair was fastened in queue behind, ant
: they wore no boots, but breeches, witt
4 white silk stockings and the li6htest pumps
y Each in his hand bore piece of silk, abou
= halt ward wide, and two yards long, O
e the same color as his dress. The mob hail
~. xutth 1Hf
u shout; and the sound of the trumpet was th
= = signal for the coming Of the bull On tn
, opposite side from where the horses had GU
a tered, a gate was thrown open, and MAJ
20 stood over the top Of it with two barbcd az
If rows (called dQuderUos) which displayed
h variety of paper decorations. Ihe anime
r. appeared AZ the gate; the man plunged th
r- bande riius into his back; and ALI the pape
5; decorations in a moment exploded. In
~ butt, with sudden bound and apparent!
a with his back all or fire, lcaped 10 the centl
us Of the circle Panied by the arrows in hi
40 neck, he stopped il IL moment, snuiied tn
to air, gaaed at the spectators, and shook HI
to head in defiance. The matadorcs appeare
ne before him, aud threw their robes. Fl
ny caught the colors they displayed, llcw ;
Y them With the rapidly Of lightning, and the
nc left the lng in a moment, through small az
=, ertures situated about eight feet apart, ruuN
- the circle. He then turned at the horse an
:. rider. The pike was thurst into his nee
by the horsrman. the spurs applied, aud tor
h. moment, by the sting, the attention OF Il
III, bull was diverted The rnatadores appea
M. cd at several points again, and the seer
mi was repeated: they coming and disappea
alf ing with the same rapidlty as before. III
nd shouts Of the crowd continued as either pa
Il ty was successful; and the ladies waved the
he handkerchieis to encourage the men to
IN valiantly. At length tine trumpet sound'
IRE signal tor the death OF the bull, and OF
40 of the matadores stepped in front Of hi
rs, with sword of three and half feet
ed length, and waved his scarlet silk garme
es, as challenge. The bull, however, was
IN much exhausted, that he declined the cor
ch bat; and the matadnr made signal to Il
ue governor of the hght with bis sword. IT
ch en- was answered by another flourish of t
tui trumpet; and the gate through which c
= ball had entered was opened. Two SIN
-, bulls, which are kept for guides, came
NV nn and then the three were driven out toget
n. er.
osi. The noise of the crowd ceased tor m
af- mcnt, but soon they shouted foi another br
ice The gate was thrown open as before. t
ep, arrows were plunged into the neck of t
5ut- animal, the explosion followed, and he pa
.he ed round the circle in moment. Near {
ncr centre Of ring was a post, 10 which me
ap- key was tied. The bull flew az the monk,
thp :, n, ,,pOn tho tor, of +he r.o