The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-11-13
SPANISH BULL FIGHTS

The civil war, the atrocities of the
Carlists, their audacity, the inertness
of Marshal Zabala, his resignation, his
probable successor, the ministerial
crisis from which we have Just emerged,
and every other topic are entirely lost
sight of, and are as things of naught
before the Inauguration of the nations
delight, the new So Plaza de Toros."
The new " Plaza ," is of Moorish archi-
lecture. The monotony of its indis-
pensable circular shape is broken by
the polygonal form of its sixty sides,
and opportunity is given for relief in
the ornamentation of its numerous win
dows and doors. Upward of $4,000
people plainly see every act in its wide
area-the light iron pillars which sup
port it's tiers of galleries not in the
least impeding the view. Eighty thou
sand pounds sterling ha8 been expended
upon it, and the outbuildings for the
reception of the bulls connected with it.
AEhe exterior is built of brick, well
~cemented, thus giving good scope for
the rich and elegant designs of the
Moorish style. The thousands of seats
in the vast amphitheatre are of granite,
and the facades of the boxes are formed
of the most delicate ironwork.
Immediately on my arrival was hur-
ried off by an obliging official to witness
a sight only next in interest to the
IS corrida " itseIf-namely, that of un-
carting the bulls on being brought di-
rect from their pastures fresh and wild
into the corral of the new Plaza. Two
of their constant companions Cbu1locxs
who are trained to act as species of
keepers of those untamed brutes, and
of whose sagacity marvellous stories are
toId) had been placed there previously,
and their presence TRANQUILITY feeding at
the well filed stalls had a soothing in
fuence on the excited beasts being un-
carted into the yard. Were it not for
the adoption of this plan, the bulls, in
their fury, would in all probability hurt
themselves and each other in their un-
wonted confinement. AS it was, the
greatest precautions were taken that
every one should be kept out of sight
in order not to provoke them by the
mere presence of strangers. Two which
were brought in were magnificent ami
mails, and their appearance to the ini-
tiated augured well for the days
"sport. The highest ladies in the
land make it matter of pride to pre-
sent them to the people. On this oc-
casion the Duchess of Fernan Nunez
heads the list, followed by the "Ladies
of Honor and Merit" society whose
appearance on such an occasion see ms
somewhat incongruous. The descend
ant of Columbus also figures in the
list, his pastures of Veragua being,
perhaps, the finest training ground In
Spain.
Thanks to the numerous entrances,
no difficulty was experienced IN taking
seats. When once within the vast
space. filled with human beings, ones
first feelings were much the same as the
bulls upon their being suddenly thrust
into an arena. The sight of such a
multitude, every one greatly excited, is
so different from what is to be met with
under any other circumstances as to
be positively bewildering, and it takes
several minutes before the scene can be
realized to its full extent. In the pro-
iecting central and royal box is the
Duke de la Tore, surrounded by the
newly reconstructed homogeneous Min
istry, all of whom are to-day (whatevel
they may be to-morrow) of one opinion,
namely. that the state may take care OF
itself for the time being, and they NEAR
to enjoy the bull-6ght. The whole As
sembly thoroughly agrees with then
for once, and the ceremony begins
Unlike any other Spanish institution
punctuality is observed to the letter
In this case delay would be doubl.
dangerous, for it SO happens that M
less than ten bulls are to be sacrificed
if time permits, but only eight, If
does lot. Consequently not momen
is lost indeed, the usual state pro
cession of the entire company of actor
Cbuu excepted) is hurried over, and tn
Alcade of MADRID, the Marquis of Sar
doai. wastes no time in fiinging into tn
hat of the mounted alguazl beneatl
him the key of the portal from Walcl 4 M
ing taken up their accustomed posi-
tions. the door opens without delay
and an enraged beast plunges out an
pauses thunderstruck, as it were, b.
such strange scene. he is magni
fcent animal, black and white in color
the gift of the Duchess of Fernal
Nunez. Rapidly recovering himself
he rushes at the first object whicl
catches his eye, and an unfortunat
horse is instantly Lifted mp with 1t