Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-20

Cor. Boston Transcript.t
The bull fight is still an lnsGtation
of Mexico, performances being given
nearly every Sunday and holiday. 1t
is a relic of barbarism inherited from
Spain. fhe better people are, how
ever, opposed to IL, and for several
years this cruel sport has been pro-
hibited within the federal district.
| will give an account Of the main
features Of one Of these shows which |
observed a few weeks SINCE in Caun
titan, the Plaza de ToFis," ~so.ealled,
which is a circular arena Of about
seventy-fve feet in diameter, sur
rounded by a board fence six feet high,
which is striped with the national
colors, red, white and green. Outside
of this are the seats for the spectators,
mede Of rough boards and arranged in
Eve tears, each about two feet above
that beloE. At the top is q space
rooted over, and divided into sections,
which are provided with chairs. The
main portion of the arena is entirely
exposed to sun or rain. A band Of
about twelve pieces occupies a stand at
one side, asd furnishes music con.
tinuously through the whole perfor-
nance.
Cries Of "Torusl Torusl' began to
exhibit the impatience of the audience
al the delay in commencing. At
length doors to the cast was thrown
open, and the performers enter.
These consist Of two clowns, three
men mounted on poor, faded and
blindfolded horses, aud a number of
men with red cloths to ~exasperate the
bull. The mel are dressed in suits of
green or red, spa1gled with silver tin
sci, with short knee breeches and
white stockings, and they wear the
hair knotted in a Aueue down the
back. The riders are provided with
long poles, armed on the end with
iron points to ward off the attacks of
the bull. A door to the west is now
opened and the animal enters, walking
FIRST TO the centre Of the circle, and
gazing around With an astonished look
at the scenes presented. A red cloth
is now Hammered before him, and
with head lowered he dashes towards
the one WHO has dared to offend him.
The men easily jumped to one side, or
if hard pressed, take refuge behind a
guard consisting Of boards placed at a
distance Of two feet from the enclosing
fence. The bull often rushes at the
horse, and, in spite of a thrust from
the lance OF the rider, succeeds in COR
ing them, often in throwing both to
the ground. Sometimes the bull him
self is thrown. Nearly every bull
kills one or more of the poor horses,
but the men are seldom hurt. When
this has continued for some time. the
horsemen retire and one of the men
holding a pointed stick adorned with
yariously colored papers and ribbons
in each hand. approaches the animal
and throws them into his neck. They
penetrate deep enough to draw blood,
and the slight pains exaspsrates him.
Finally, the matsdor appears with a
sword in the right hand and a red
cloth in the left. C~oncealing the
weapon behind the cloth, be boldly
approaches5the now infatuated animal
and as he lowers his head to rush at
him, slabs him in the neck. hen
done by an experience mar the wound
proves fatal in a few minutes. The
bull staggers and falls, and is dis
patched by a thrust from a short
knife into the spinal cord in the back
of the neck. A rope is now fastened
to his horns and some horses drag out
the carcass. The earth is shoveled
over a little and the arena is ready for
another combat.