The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-20
LETTERS FROM SPAIN.
ny A NEW yoRK LADY.
LITTER w,

O Saturday last, the 10Th inst, went to SEQ . |
buu fight, the great national amusement OF the
Spanish people, and which is especially patronised
md delighted in by the ladies. suppose they take
pleasure in this cruel entertainment, rs substi-
tate for the ancient tournaments, where the ladies
~ a. judges Of the bravery of the men, and re-
ssived the trophies Of the conquerors as tribute
70 beauty. 1t is something about the same thing
nowhere they cit as judges, and reward, by their
miles and the clapping Of their hands, the bold
ness ef the bulls and the bravery of the men and
herses who risk their lives for their amusement
and often lose them into the bargain. ID is the
frst time | ever saw such q sight, and should
never wish to see another.
First, fine young bull was brought in the arena
and then the fight began. man on horseback,
richly csparisoned, and dressed in the old Andalu
sian costume, having quite gay and theatrical
appearance, rushed upon the bull, da shing dag,
which he held in his hand repeatedly in the face Of
the animal. The object seemed 20 be to irritate
the bull and provoke him to show all the rage and
fury OF which he was capable. TIE picadore Gas
the man who attacked is caed) succeeded perfectly
and in e very short time the bull, tormented by
number OF picedores with their red flags, became
perfectly Infatuated. Nov the fun began, because
now there real danger, and fight for life, in
abe arena below, in sight Of the numerous specta-
tcrs. viii net describe the dreadful scene which
ollowed-all the i1ritations practised upon the
bul-sll the cruelties which were performed-the
same has been described & ain and again by many
persoIs. The poor Infatuated beas; was struck
with swords and lsnces by the several picadores
who attacked it. till the blood poured 10 is sides
and from is back. II row raging and roaring,
first OF one and then at another of The numerous rs
ssiiauts, seeking to avenge itself, while they skill
fnlly ged TO escape the danger by Jumping
over the enclosures. The scene was terribe-sne
rage OF the bull in its glazing eyes it bowed
Its head to rush upon its enemy--the agony it suf
fered, when a fresh wound was inflicted by some one
Of its assailsnts-tbc bOlduess and agility OF the
men, running and jumping and striking for their
hyes, ell presented, to me at least, disagreeabe
spectacle Yet every body told ne il was not
good fight; that the COLI weather rendered the
bull torpid and less active than in summer. But
could Lot conceive how the scene could be more
savage and more animated
At length, the bull, bowling down his head, ran
wildly at the man on horse back the horse reared
up and stood upon his hind legs: the other men
stabbed the bull in several places, to divert the at
tack, but in vain; he rushed impetuously upon the
horse, and, with plunge of his horns ripped open
had several times been thrown off and remounted,
now fell again, entangled with the dying horse.
All this took place with much greater quickness
than can dictate the description Of it. The horse
rearing and plunging in its agony, with his bowels
protruding from the wound, lay upon the arena ex-
hsusted the rider e1trca.ing himself, ran hastily
towards the bull to plunge his spear again into his
side and assist in directing his attention and VEN
roy he m mr. gho, Iii 10
the scene became, the more the blood flowed, and
the more dangerous the situation of any one of
the pieadores, with the hull rushing upon him, so
much the mere the applause Of the audience was
rapturous, and their delight excited. At last, the
bull, weakened by its many wounds, the less 81
blood, and it's violent rage and efforts, having
been already for some minutes blind, with death
creeping upon it, yet not relaxing its fury and
efforts fell heavily upon the arena, under repeated
stabs, where, groanng piteousy, it ga'ped its last
breath, and expired in sight Of the admirin
audience. 1t fought to the last, even while blind
and staggering, and it was not till they cut the
sinevs of his legs with their swords that he fell and
died as have mentioned.
had one of the best boxes, from which could
see the horrid spectacle at my ease, if easy one
could be at seeing such Thugs. The company was
gay and splendid; all the boxes and seats were
crowded, while the gaudy trappDgs of the picadores
and Of the animals engaged in the fight, with the
loud and animated shouts of the audience, gave
eoloripg to the brutal exhibition and concealed in
the excitement the true character Of the entertain
ment. felt sick at heart, and was ready to faint
never will 60 to see another as long as live. AS
the horse (Which was a remarkably fine anima) lay
gasping end dying the floor, six other horses,
gaily csparsoned, were brought in to drag out the
carcass of the disembowelled animal across the
arena, which was done amid the delighted shouts
of the assembled multitude. The poor creatures
seemed to exhibit in their looks conscious horror
and manifest reluctance at being harnessed to the
body Of their fellow horse. The dead bull, whose
death heavings and commissions had now ceased,
was next dragged out in similar manner, amidst
the same acclamations.
All this, however, was not enough. As soon as
the stage was cleared, the scene was perform
ed over again. Another young bull was let loose,
aEd il came bounding into the arena, looking play
fully and good naturally around him. This fine
creature of perfect jet black, was the very model
Of bull, but he was not mad enough; he was frs
Ky and playful, and evidently took it all TO be fun
and play. He bounded and froicked abou. when
the picaderes came near him with their flags and
spears, and nothing could induce him to show fight
he was full Of play They coon let him know the
contrary, In order to madden and work him up to
fit state to give sport, they applied FIRE to him,
ard singed and burnt him in the mos. tender parts.
They then attached fire crackers, blue lights, and
rockets to lis neck and body, and let them OF upon
him. It the oldest thing the world to the
blue lights and fire coming out Of the back Of the
bull, and to hear the crackers bursting round his
ears. Thus they tormented him, till, literally
burning and writhing with pain, he became mad
dened, and began to show resistance. Now, again,
the same round OF cruelty and butehery was re-
peated, as before. Again, the poor bull, srea ming
with blood from the many wounds inflicted upon
him, rushed madly upon every objec. nearest TO him
at the moment again, he gored the horses Of his