The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-29
FRENCH DIVERSION.

FRENCH DIVERSION.
nav IN Population OF Mines Enjoy
Temseives-The Cow Fight.
tHarper's MsgaziAe1
Two cthe gates Of the old city still exist
nj Mime Offering some fine marble sculp-
fI,res: It when one has been here and there
about ts old city, and seen all its antiquities,
ia reta,1s again and again with growing In
frrest a Contemplation OF Its manihcent
amphpeatre. 1t 10 slightly elliptical 10 form
and sraller than the amphitheatre OF Aries,
f,It Il situation makes 1t, on the whole, more
attrative and cheerful, and it could once
seat 1000 spectators, which is quite an army.
Eacldivision OF seats-one for the patricians,
annter for the euuitari, or knights, ana two
upnr tiers for the plebeians- had its own
yoIltorium, or exit, with distinct corridors,
and these are all yet In good .preserva-
Ito. So enormous is the strength and 50
mssive Is the construction OF this edifice that
wien Charles Martel expelled the Saracens
firm It and filed the corridors with wood
ayd tried to burn II down, he was unable to
make any perceptible impression. The arena
hstill used for bull-fights on fete days.
Witnessed q spectacle Of this sort In that
ne an idea OF the grandeur OF gladiatOrial
lay or fight with wild beasts in those by
zone times when those vast tiers OF marble
we're thronged with myriads robed n purple
Ius
present on this occasion. More, probably,
would have attended II 1t had been regular
bull-nght instead OF cow-hght, which was
offered on the bills. But, II less, exciting,
there was nearly as much fun in the specta-
Gle / saw there. 1t was advertised as
acourse libre," which meant that all who
chose could enter the arena and join the
sport. The cows, II not as dangerous as
bulls, were Of Spanis.h, . breed, and by no
been bound in felt, more than one champion
would have lost his life In the arena that
afternoon Between the horns O rosette was
firmly bound, and the lucky fellow who could
tear Il off won q. gold piece and lots OF ap.-
plause. Many daring youth licked the dust
that day. Several had their shirts torn off
and received very severe blows In the back,
which doubtless earned for them plenty OF
cheap and wholesome advice when they, got
home. One was pinned against the wall be-
tween the cows horns and had very narrow
escape. Some times there was nearly hum
dred men In the arena at once, and this was
one reason why none were killed outright for
Ill the others rushed in and diverted the at
tention Of the poor infuriated brute, which
would finally get completely worried out and
baffied from the constant rush OF one and
another. Thus the large number Of men In
IN increase OF the danger. The prize was won
three times In succession by ore man-young,
1.-THE, handsome and apparently made OF steel
and India-rubber. He had O genius Tor That
sort q thing evidently; but l could not help
ufe-how many try, how few win!
The view In the galleries was scarcely less
animated. On the shady side Of the arena
the throng was. gathered from every class,
from the English nOblemen to the lowest
canaille who could muster few sous to pay
for back seat. Brilliant costumes and ele-
gant toilets were not wanting to remind one
OF the scarlet tOgas and magnificent women
Of olden times. The voluptuous and almost
imperial beauty OF some OF the fair danes
OF Mines collected there In that hour was
never surpassed In the brightest days OF an
Client Rome; and indeed 1t was Roman blood
that gave to them fiery and almost fierce
g sca as may Rs soad out
There was also present some fine specimens
OF masculine beauty. The people of Langue-
doc and Provence, IL less intellectual-loOkin
than those OF other parts Of France, certainly
beauty the world has seen. Throughout this
multitude the most vivid interest in the game
became more and more evident, stimulated
somewhat, perhaps, by the absinthe, eau-de-
vie, and ohee!which were industriously cir
culated by little, bare-headed Ganymedes,
who attracted my attention by the way Id
which, waiter and glasses In hand, they walk
ed and balanced themselves on the leveled
edge OF the wall in front Of the lower tier.
But the interest and excitement eliminated
during the recess between the acts, II one may
20 express 1t. The gate was unbarred, and q
mob Of boys and youths rushed In to partici-
pate Ii scene which was evidently custom
ary part OF the programme. For few mo-
ments they scattered about the arena In
search Of coins which might have been missed
by those to whom they had been thrown.
Suddenly one Of the spectators hurled a cir
cular cake into the air, and it fell spinning
into the arena. This was the signal for one
Of the most extraordinary repetitions Of the
Kilkenny cats fight that ever was seen. Men
and boys rushed together in perfect bedlam
Of confusion, each trying to seize the cake.
1t was torn into q hundred fragments In q
moment; and now there rained hail
storm OF copper and silver coins, bon
hons, cakes loaves Of bread and fruit, thrown
by the spectators, who were aroused to the
last pitch Of excitement and mirth, as the
multitude Of men and boys scrambled to-
9ether In an inextricably tangled mass Of
electrified humanity, every atom yelling,
bowling. struggling, pulling. tearing, kick
the energy OF fighting demons, faces flushed,
noses scratched and bloody, hair pulled and
clothes torn, and yet through It all entire
good humor. Never in the toughest foot ball
match that have Witnessed did / see any
thing to approach the raciness and rough
ness OF this remarkable and blOod-stirring
spectacle In the arena at Mines.
&H%
The Paris Exhibition Buildings.
continental Gazette.l
It Is announced, on what appears to be good
authority, that nearly the whole Of the Ex-
hibition palace on the Champ de Mars is to be
preserved and devoted partly to the purposes
OF national museum and partly to the StOr-
~ inI fhsa ovfi ~