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A SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN MADRID

L
A SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN MADRID.
From Appleton's Journal.]
It was the last Sunday in last
October. I had been invited to the
almuerzo by the family of a wealthy
merchant, whom I will call Eusebio
Quisada. The custom of breakfast
ing, q la franchise, between eleven
and one o'clock, and to take the
principal meal of the day toward
evening, is becoming more and
more general in the larger Spanish
cities, and among the better classes
will soon be universal.
The breakfast at Don Eusebio
Quisada's had been very much pro-
longed. In listening to the viva
cious chit-chat of the two charming
daughters Of my host, Inez and
Estetania, I should have forgotten
to eat or drink, but for the prompt
ing Of Donna Manuela, the amiable
hostess. At two o'clock we still
sat over our cafe noi,', which Este
fania, the younger daughter, had
served with unapproachable grace.
Don Eusebio entertained us with a
narrative of his travels in Asia,
Minor and Egypt, which Inez con-
tinually interrupted with questions,
that, to say the least, were very
maize. I divided my attention be-
tween the interesting account of
the father of what he had seen in
the East, and the dark eyes of the
beautiful daughters. And so. we
would have remained slipping our
mocha and chatting until nightfall,
if the more thoughtful mother had
not interposed with her veto.
II would suggest" said she, as
Don Eusebio asked for his fourth
cup, "that we ask senor to accom-
pany US on the Prado."
Cor to the Plaza de Toros, -
amended Inez.
Cor to both," seconded Estefa-
MIA.
Don Eusebio, like true Spanish
cavalier, was ready to comply with
any reasonable demand of the fair
sex. Smiling, he rolled fresh
cigarette-the Spanish ladies never
object to smoking iii their presence
and cast an inquiring glance in
my direction.
~ shall be right glad to accom-.
pany you," said I, in the best Cas-
tilian at my command. 'sNothing
is more novel or can be more in.
teresting to us foreigners than the
habits and customs Of the people OF
your beautiful capital
"Well, then, let US Co." said Don
Eusebio, scratching a match. 'But
do you really want to 60 to the
Toros ?" he asked, somewhat de.
precatingly.
Certainly, papa!" replied Inez,
"The last fight Of the season is to.
day. We won't remain till the end
After the fourth steer we will leave
the Corrida, and walk for an hour
or so in the: Prado."
"And let us finish the day." pro.
posed Donna Manuela, "by going
to the Zarzuela Theatre. Don Er.
nesto shall see that Madrid is 6
little metropolis, if we do fall short
of having, perhaps, one quarter o.
the population they have in the
much praised French capital.
shall insist on your yielding to my
proposition all the more, senior, al
it will necessarily secure us your
company at dinner
81 am fortunate, sonora, in being
honored with your commands" !
replied, in as chivalric tone as
was master of.
s'Have you ever witnessed a cor
rMa 2" inquired Inez.
Eyes and no, senorita," I replied
81 do not understand YOU"
"a genuine bull-fght, a la espaq
nola, is not in the list of my expert
ences. L saw in Havre, at the tim,
of the Exposition Maritime, a mocl
corrlda, which gave the spectator
tolerable idea Of what the Spanisl
original might be-"
"a mock corrida 90
eyes. The horns of the animal
We're rendered harmless by woodel
balls that were securely fastened tt
their ends. And then the bull
were not killed, but led back t
their stalls to fight another day."
Inez curled her lip scornfully
Such contests were clearly not t
her taste.
] "a c0TTida after the fashion O