Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-01
ANDALUSIA.
The Death Of the BuII-NatlOnaI
Sport in Spain.
Correspondence Philadelphia BalI.tin
y. wHITMORE,
Publisher and Proprietor.

Correspondence Philadelphia BalIetin ]
SEVILLE, April 27, 1S7S.-Wher
the train reached the city, from
every quarter crowds were tending
toward the Plaza de Toros or am.
phitheater, where the corrida de
toroS is given. This huge, rooAess
stone building greatly resembles
the Coliseum on reduced scale
and is capable Of seating 1900
people. Like all places of amuse
ment, the seats are of various
grades, costing from ten (50 cents,
to forty,six $3.50 reales. 1t some,
times happens during Holy Week
in Seville that $40 each will bC
given to SPECTATORS for a place, SC
great is the furore for this excluS-
lively Spanish national fiesta. Di.
rectly on the opposite side of the
arena from the toril door is the in
closure reserved for the Autoridad
presiding on the occasion, Just as q
Caesar Of old did in the gladiatoriaI
contests. We experienced no diff.
ficulty in securing two Of the ex-
pensive chairs in the loge or diyis-
ion adjoining the presidential box
where all could be seen without
contact with the excited assembly
AS 4 pm. approached the great au.
ditorium rapidly filled until there
was scarcelya vacant seat anywhere
The cheap circles were densely
packed with boisterous humanity
Of both sexes, who lily concealed
their impatience for the spectacle
to commence. In the more preten.
tious sections the elite of the coun,
try from Seville to Cadiz sat, the
senoritas in full evening toilette Of
delicate tints, white kid gloves and
opera glasses. The enors were
dressed in black cloth frock coats
and pants, white vests and pearl
colored kids. l have not mention,
cd lace wells and fans for the ladies
but what Spanish gathering could
be conceived without those oharac.
terishc adjGncts?
A few minutes before 4 o'clock
the dirt floor Of the arena was
sprinkled with a hose to prevent
dust while the struggle was in pro-
gress. A band of music performed
one selection, and then the presi-
dent entered, accompanied by eight
gentlemen. The audience received
him with a great shout to which be
bowed in acknowledgment, and
then seated himself in the center OF
a row of nine chairs. His suite
occupied the Others. The excite
ment now became intense. A trum-
peter stood close behind the presi-
dent, awaiting the command to
sound the notes which would inau-
gurate the sport. But a few sec
onds elapsed before it was given,
The multitude stretch their lungs
once more; the band plays march,
a gate swings open aud a process
sion advances toward the presiden-
tial box. There it halts and every
performer salutes the Autorida.
All the men on foot are in the cor
rida costume, flat hate, embroidered
jackets, bright cOlored knee
breeches, under which The limbs
are protected from the horns of the
bull by metal leggings. The group
consists Of six men on foot with
bright.colored mantles which they
carry on the arm; two in green,
one with red-hilted sword and the
other with a mantel three with a
pair each of gayly-deeorated barbed
darts; three on blind-fOlded horses,
with long spears, and finally some
minor characters in charge of two
teams of three horses each har-
messed TO swingle-trees and brightly
caparisoned.
ENTRANCE OF THE BULL.
After the salutation the teams
Of horses withdraw and the Others
take their places at the various
points in the ring. The trumpet
again sounds; the people become
wild with excitement; the toril
door opens, and the bull rushes
into the arena. Upon his flank is
a bright rosette with long ribbons,
which is called mona. For an
instant the beast halts to take his
bearings, but only an instant, and
then the game of death commences.
One of the picadors, mounted on a
blindlolded horse, takes position
before the bull, with his blunt
spear in position. The bull hesi-
tates a second, drops his head, and