Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-08-31
"THE FIRST SWORD OF sPAIN.,,

the /" irst sword of Spain -
1t would be scarcely pardonable to take
my leave of Madrid, without some refer
ence to the bull-6ghts of the famous sea-
son of 1850. Not that there is anything
new 10 be said or sung upon the
subject, in the general-nor that pro-
pose to say or sing what has been heard
so often before but that the veteran Mon
tes. '' the first sword of Spain," returned,
during my visit, to the scene of his tri-
uph which he had for six years deser-
ted, and his advent was an epoch in the
annals of tauromacy. When it began to
be rumored that he was coming. the news
papers were wild, and the people in &C.
stasy. He brought with him his nephew,
the famous GAiclanero !. and the Duke of
Veragaus, a grandee of Spain and the Ii
neal descendent of Columbus, was one of
the attorneys who contraced on their part
with the directors of the Plaza. A pro-
cession of the fancy. noble and gentle,
went out to meet him as he drew near
Madrid, and, after feasting and congratu-
lations, he entered the city in triumph
His first appearance was on the afternoon
of Easter Sunday special honor to the
day. The Plaza was crowded to over
flowing, the troupe was choice and beau
tifully equipped, and the array of lovliness
fashion and enthusiasm not to be surpas-
sed. The great mdtGd0r was received as
victor from hard fought field. He
bore his laurels modestly, and addressed
himself at once, like man, to Lis work
Though past the prime of life and ac-
tIvity Monies was conspicuous for his ath
letic form and perfect composure. He
had
''TIe eye Of the hawk, and the fire thcrefnn-
dextcrity, which nothing but long prac-
tice courage and command of nerve can
give. in the presence of such terrible and
instant danger. When tie bull came in,
he would sit for few moments on the
barrier, and watch his montion. Appar-
emily satisfied as to the character OF the
animal by this brief observation, he would
descend into arena, and place himself
where he pleased. He would call the
bull-attract ard mock him with his cloak
backwards and forwards again-and yet
not desert Il circle of ten feet in diameter
Where the 6dnderilleros would fly and leap
the barrier, he would avoid the charge
by the slightest inclination of his body,
without step to the RICH or left. Once
l saw him call the bull, and as the furious
animal rushed towards him, Monies con-
fronted him with folded arms and steady
gaze the bull turned instantly aside, and
attacked some other one OF the company.
1t seemed, indeed, as if his mastery over
the wild brutes was absolute-as if, to use
the language of one of the journals, ''thcy
knew him and respected him" TO me,
confess it was incom mprehensible, to the
reader it will, | fear, be incredible.
The killing Of the bull by Monies was
very miracle no butchery, no side
blow, no loss of swords, no hurry, no help.
In one and and the same instant the sword
flashed behind the crimson cloak, and the
nldtadOr was wiping the blood from his
blade, with the victim at his feet. l saw
the whole Plaza rise to a man, in admira
ton ofonesuch blow. The newspapers were
absolutely glorious in their accounts ofthe
maeStro'S performances ; but the details
of their descriptions, through no doubt in.
teres:ing to the fancy, were as uniRteili-
gible to me as the history of milling
match in Bells Life in London. l endea-
vored to educate myself up to the proper
level, by reading the treaties of Monies
himself on IauromaQacio- work of con-
siderable reputation, but found it as si-
~A'AN N9 % OOOh VI SUI IyI dHu dS uSSP
as one of Mr.. Emerson's Essays. Ha-
wing had occasion, at the time, to turn to
Ford's Hand book-which is full of know
ledge and admirable description in regard
to sports Of the arena-I fell bv chance
on that singular passage in which he gives
vent to his nationality, by speaking Of the
''quick work. which g a real British bull |
with broad neck and short horns, would
make with men and horses of Spain '' |
could not but feel curious to know what
the patriotism of the writer might induce
him TO think of boar. hunt with prize
pigs.
Since my return from Spain, Montes
has fallen before a mightier naatador than
himself-having died of fever, or doc
tor, at home, in his bed. The account
which have Of his decease sets down
his age at 46. In the ring he appeared
at least ten year older. Six bull-fght-
ers," says his chronicler. ''bore his coffin
in silent sadness. Il He was of
a noble family. but was compelled. by the
reduced circumstances of his father, to |
gain his subsistence with his own hands.
The destiny of a day laborer, however,
did not furnish field broad enough for
the movements of his soul. In his Straits
he sought door TO the temple Of fame.
and he found it. He elevated his art To
a height unknown before, and the whole
world heheld with awe the triumphs of
his skill and valor - l.