The Morning herald., 1877-11-28
nULL-FlGHTINC IN Lusnor-

Ign'' Inc IDEA Is general that such
spectacle is peculiarly Spanish; this is to
degree untrue, for not only is the spo
common in Portugal, but it is in mar
respects quite unlike and superior to Il
oqll-fghting of Spain. In that country Il
horses are miserable, unframed hack
brought into the arena blindfolded to h
slaughtered, and the chief part of tn
amusement is to shed the most blood moss
BILE, with little science and the utmoc
cruelty to both bulls and horses, of whic]
sometimes 25 or 80 will be slain in on
afternoon. The Portuguese, while yieldin,
to mono of the Latin nations in phys;ca
courage, are naturally more humane. Th,
bulls are often very fine animals but b,
law their horns are wrapped with felt ant
1t Is impossible for them to gore o horse,
although they may give him some hard
hits. The horse, on the other hand. is
generally very valuable and admirably
trained, and goes into the fight with his
eyes open. No weapon more severe than a
small barbed pike is used, which rarely
penetrates much below the hide, but suf.
hces to arouse the mettle of spirited bull
These pixies are planted in his neck by the
man on horseback Or by the footmen, as
he lowers his head to attack. A very dan.
gerous exploit is to sit in chair directly
opposite the gate from which the bull is to
rush, and plant two pixies in his neck before
rising. Should the bull fail TO make di-
rectly for the picador with lowered horns
The man is lost. Another trick full of dan
ger is literally to take the bull by the horns,
Is ne lowers his head; as soon as this is
lone the rest of the performers rush on the
oull, and by main force drag him off the
nan. Two men were killed in one after.
loons sport, when was in Lisbon, bv
having their spines broken when in the act
# seizing the bull between the horns. The
rena is surrounded by rows of seats, rising
Ter above tier; the last one is divided into
oxes and rooted. As no curtain is drawn
YER the arena, half of the miniature wood
coliseum is open to the full blaze of the
IN, and the tickets are sold ACCORDINGLY
'r the shady and the sunny Sides Pune
Tally is not observed; the dense mass of
'ectators have about an hour to gaze at
'ch other, flirt, fling nut-shells, shout,
awl, hiss, and stamp their feet. When tho
icltement and suspense have reached their
nit, which is apparently timed in order to
ing the audience to the proper pitch, a
umpet sounds. Silence and breathless
pectatlon succeed. The horse, with z
rs erect half-startled eyes, and every
rye and muscle tense, awaits the crisis
plcadors, in gay uniforms, with their
cues braided and bound each into little
IL on the back of the head, are III thei,
'pective positions, lance in either hand.
cry eye is turned on the entrance; theI
ling door slips up, and, as if sent out of
atapult, forth rushes magnificent bull,
eyes blazing, and fury in the pose of
tremendous head and neck. Half an G.
tant he pauses and takes hurried sur.
of the scene and then makes fearful
ge at the white horse awaiting him on
opposite side of the arena. The rider
oitly backs his steed and plunges a
ce into the neck of the bull. Maddencd
the pain, the bull chases horse and rider
und the arena; he gains on them; he is
on the point of goring the horse; the
ltement exceeds language; at this criti-
instant an agile picador contrives to =
lst another dart into the bull and diverts d
attention. Every one again breathcs
ly. 1 saw the bull once give the horse
emendous blow in the belly, which, not
the horns were blunted with
at onca became scarlet. When tia
becomes wearied out or cowed, as
n happens when he finds his neck COM
Ely fringed with javelins, and is unable
'taliate in manner commensurate with
age, a number Of oxen are driven in:
'ull runs up to them for sympathy, and
lily follows them out of the arena. At r..
walls during the sport the picadors
forward and salute the audience oin in
ng out their hats for coppers, which
aimed down plentifully if the sport has
exciting and skillfully conducted, d,-IHe
'tic MonthN.
APP
THEORY OF THE nEru1<1u, Pla