The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-06-02
BRAVO ToRO!
A Bull Fight in Mexico.-.El Paso
del Norte, Legendary
and Historical.
Eel PasO del NOrte

we reaCheu I'll / hso vi tuc S'osihS va
of the festivals, and the picture which pre-
sented itself will not soon fade from tn
memory. Thousands of Mexicans from
every point had gathered to attend tn
feasts and the grand plaza, church yard
and all around were filled with booths
sheds and stands, where games, juggler.
and all sorts of gambling were going on
The crowd included all classes of Mexican
society. On no occasion, like their Amer
lean neighbors, will all classes harmonic
or mingle together except at some churcl
doings. There were the few rcpresen'a.iv,
Cssulians with their families mInglinG
with Mexican men and women, while .ht
senors of high NIX, with their bright COS
tunes and brilliant colored garments
broad brmmed sombreros, and glltlerlng
spurs afforded a striking contrast to tht
sandal footed few who still cling to The
fashion of their ancestors of the middle
ages; the women, with the rlbosa, or black
shawl, that emblem of Castilan LOblllly
covering their heads and part of THEN
faces, and rich rancheros, costumcd like
brigandish captains, mingIing with The
common herd" A friend said to me:
"There Is nothing IN the life Of the MoXl'
can that SO thoroughly imprcsses an Oh.
serving person as to note the manner in
which they observe the religious festivals
Like their ancestors OF old, whose worship
was closely interviewer with every phase
of their social and political existence, they
are devoted to gorgeous and impressive
ceremonies, and derive their chief enjoy.
mcnt from the many festivals sanctioned
by the church. These are so numerous
that one is led to believe that life is one
continued holiday, and that the saints days
in the Mexican calendar outnumbcr the
days of the year"
BRAVO ToRO,'
"A grand % bull fight at FL Paso del
Norte on Sunday at 3 +. NJ, with music by
the Band" were the placards posted in all
CONSPICUOUS places, both on the American
and Mexican side OF the Rio Grande, and
of course, being in Mexico II bull fight
on Sunday afternoon, especially when the
proceeds were for the benefit OF the church,
was q temptation Aot to be resisted even by
more pious tramps than am.
1t is harmless affair, and perfectly leg.
ivmate, like our church fairs and festivals,
go long as the receipts are handed over to
the preachers; but It for private gain,
why, then the faithful priests and ministers
throw up their hands IN holy horror and
warn their brethren 10 beware of the
swndlers-it IS wicked But if there is any
form of swindles that can beat a
church fair or festival l would like to
know what 1t Is. If there Is anything to
be condemned in The way OF gen.eel peck.
ct picking it is the system of fairs and fes
rivals, in which sweetfaced innocence is
employed, in the cause cf religion, TO en-
gage IN grab bag rackets, "sgnlng"
swIndles, "cane votings," booths, and all
that kind Of matchmaking, Some
who read this may think strangely of it,
and well they should, yet be 1t oven wor-
Thy object, the means does not honor the
cause, nor the end justify the means.
Some may think it strange that the pro-
leeds of bull fight should go to the sup.
port of the church; but 1t is the education
hese people have had from time immcmo.
rial; and as the fair and festival plan of
IF their American brethren has not as yet
been introduced they follow the old way,
instituted by the monarchs themselves IN
The chivalrous age of long ago, and
which, If anything, is more honorable
han either fair or festival Few goI
10 far without being pestered by
The methods employed. Though, perhaps,
not using "cus3 words at the time
they think, no doubt, IN very bad French"
at the rapidity with which they are re.
lleved OF their quarters aud half dollars
under fire of "Sign for me !" "Takc n
chance in my cake" Sign" for this, that
and the other thing From all OF which,
the bull fight Is free.
The bull fight was instituted by the
monarchs Of old Spain for the amusement
Of the people and was looked upon rs a
great source OF revenue and enjoyment.
But the Mexican bull fight and those we
read of as taking place IN Spain and South
America are very different ailairs,-so
much So indeed, trat comparison Is hardly
possible.
On this occasion the unprelentious toH n
Of Ell Paso del Norte presented lively
appearance. Everything had been done
hat could possibly draw crowd to wit
ness this, the closing event of the feasts.
And a crowd there was, Thousands OF
Mexicans, men, women and children, in
rude carts, on horseback, aslride their tiny
long cared burros, on foot, and drawn by ,
oxen, mules and cows, swarmed the plaza.
Jaily dressed senoritas and senOritas with.
)ut dress except something longer than a ,
.unic, resembling chemIse, or dresses of I