Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-02-21
A BULL FIGHT AT MADRID.

The capital of Spain is justly re-
garded by all travellers as one of the
very dullest and most uninteresting
cities in Europe Its gallery of paint
ings and its armory are indeed mag
nificent, and should be visited by all
lovers of the arts but with these
exceptions there is little to repay a
heightened sojourn within its pre-
cincts; for its public places of amuse-
ment are few and poor, except as re-
CARDS one sport-that truly national
one of the "Toreo," which in this
metropolis of the land of bull-fghts,
is to be seen to perfection. During
short visit to Madrid, few years
ago, we were fortunate to be present
at ore, which we will describe from
our notes made Immediately after the
function" as it is grandiloquently
termed in Spain.
Passing through the entrance cor
ridor of the amphitheatre-which
struck US as resembling, on a vast
scale, some of our country circuses,
only open at top sort of cross, IL
deed, between the old Roman circus
and Astley's-we were soon seated
in the front row. of the first stage,
surrounded by a buzzing crowd, the
men all smoking" cigarillos," and the
women all flirting their abanicos," !"
while they anxiously await the open
ing of small door opposite to US,
from which the bulls destined to be
fought and killed for our amusement
and instruction will soon enter the
arena.
A number of gaily dressed anna
teurs, gentlemen of the ring, we con-
clude, in full majo" or native swell
costume-short jacket of many col
ors, two diminutive white handker-
chiefs, one each side, jauntily peep
ing out of the breast-pockets, gaudi-
ly-colored silk Wristbands, many
folded, and long ashen wands, peeled
at short intervals for ornament
saunter in groups around the arena.
The innocent Isabella does not
occupy the royal box in her own
proper and royal person, but is rep
resented by some of her noble and
intellectual court.
A trumpet now sounds, and, 10 |! a
gentleman in black rides in, some
thing like Hamlet grown very corpu-
lent and shabby and he is followed
by the "toreros " who are to figure
in the games of the circGs They
advance in procession to the royal
box, and make each his obeisance
lowly as he passes, went silently out
again. Shortly the doors open once
more to admit some half-dozen "plea-
dores cased in ungainly suits of
stout and infexible yellow leather,
and wearing broad-brimmed "som-
breros." They bear, in martial man
ner, each his long lance or goad, and,
mounted on very sorry Hudibrastic
hacks, they take their station at in
tervals within the circle, amidst
sudden and deep silence Not word
is now spoken There is something
awful in the silence of that vast null
titude of human beings, with their
eager and glittering eyes fixed so
earnestly on one point. The bright
blue vault of heaven spreads cloud
lessly overhead ; the scorching sun
looks fiercely down on the scene
Suddenly the door opens again, and
a dark object, indistinct through the
dust raised by it, rushes into the are
ma. 1t is the bull. He pauses for
momeat to look around him, and then
we see him, black and broad-chested,
with glaring blood-shot eyes, that
seem to dart fire He lashes his sides