Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-04-10
Sltett Gale.
A BULL FIGHT IN MEXICO.

One lovely Sunday morning in the month OF
March, lS4S, III my memory so far back can
remind me, q small party Of US concluded to
60 to the City of Mexico and visit the bull
tight on Plaza de 1oros, and see some Of the
ancient sports of old Spain, which is the pop
ular place of amusement in the city.
Bull fights in Mexico are equivalent to the
fights Of gladiators among the Romans which
at once disgraced and brntalized that people.
Being beautiful day, and having no more
money than the law for soldiers allowed, We
agreed to take what we then called the "Peo.
pies Line"-and foot it. We left San Ange.
10. the place of our encampment, and passed
through small village named Miscoac, the
general depot of General Winfield Scott's
army during the battles of Chapultepec, Mo.
lima del Rey and the gates of the City of Mex.
ico., Here we took good drink Of poloua,
(polka, as we called it we then left for the
beautiful town Of Tacnbaya; here the Ath
and 5th artillery and voltigeurs regiment was
quartered, WHICH made the town have liyelv
appearance. We also visited the archiepis.
copal palace Of Mexico, the headquarters O:
Gen. Scott and staff during the above battles
After taking another good drink of polqus,
and other refreshments, we left for the Boil.
ing Springs, and took good bath, which we
much needed. From here we went to the
Castle of Chapultepec, once the residence OF
Montezums, after his downfall 1t was re.
modelled and made national military school,
and during the late war with Mexico it was
made into strong castle. with high, strong
thick stone wall and strongly garrsoned by
the Mexican commandant. Gen. Bravo; but,
LIKE all other strong sasthesses, it had to sur.
render to Uncle Sam. We examined the da.
mage done by our artillery on the 18th and
18th OF September, 1e47. After spending
several hours here we went to Molina del
Rey, which is at the foot of the Castle of
Chapultepec, and a6joins a large grove OF
trees. This was also strong fort. and
strongly garrisoned blythe Mexcans, but final.
~ had TO yield, though not without heavy
loss to the American army. From here we
went to the Alameda Park, where all the
beautiful senoritas gather together and take
walk aroung the nhurmuring Fountains
sparkling ih the bright sun like brilliants.-
This is truly magnificent place for the citi.
zens to tefresh themselves, and is constantly
crowded With all kinds Of people.
From the place last mentioned we went to
the Plaza de Toros. The amphitheatre fol
this atrocious amusement, as it is called, is
over four hundred feet in diameter, with an
area OF three hundred feet, and sitting and
standing room for twenty thousand spectators
we arrived little too early, and thereby had
hne opportunity to see what sort of people
were our companions. They were like the
English drink called "all Sorts" made up Of
representatives from every class--from the
tepero' who, Ike the observationist, observes
10 the DAY time what he can steal at hight
Ihere were ladies and gentlemen from the
hlDha9t -
loaiers and ladrones-which latter class; YOU
will please to understand, arc a numerous
horde of pardoned convicts and robbers. 10
Mexico. "
The day was one Of the t,att saints or t.i.
days, and the people we're dressed h thai,
best hnery, as il for fair. 1t wat a great
day ior the Piazas de 1oros, too, and we soor
learned that there was TO be some extra spor,
several fine bulls having been procured from
distant hdciendas especially for that grea,
occasion
AT three o'clock in the afternoon foul
horsemen and six pibadoes were in the ring
awaiting the trumpet signal from the Judges
fhe assailants are call picadores, are or
horseback and provided with long spear
The butchers on foot wsre very fancifull,
dressed IN embroidered velvet jackets and or
namented pants, buckling at the knee, parti
eolored hose and shoes, and caps trimmed
with silver and gold. Each wore sasl
around his waist aud held IN his hands scar
OF red, yellow or blue, with which to tantalizs
the bulls; the horsemen were similarly dress
ed yet not SO richly, and held long spears OF
pixies, with which they goad the bulls. ant
when attacked defend themselves and horse.
from their fury. There we two clowns, also
the stupidest creatures that ever played tht
fool before any audience; they never coulc
come up to Dan Rices tricks. Their entire
performances consisted in tossing up orange.
and catching them on their heads when t6ey
fsll. and believing in imitation of the bulls
and playing disgusting tricks upon each 9th
er. Finally the trumpet sounded, and il
rushed large brown bull, suorting and plum
glng about, mad with pain from the torture
he had previously received. In q moment hs
was assailed by the horsemen, aud severaa
sharp encounters occurred. One man NOR,
experienced than the others, got his pike Il
the animals neck, and actually held him ofi 70
minute or two. The crowd chsered loudly
and he seemed in the zenith OF bis glory, whel
oy sudden movement the bull threw up th
lance and pitched into bis adversary. TIL
horse and rider were tossed into the air an