The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1883-02-10
a BULL-FIGHr IN SPAIN.
(written for the r. c. ApvERrrsrn.,

written for the +. c. ADyERTIsER1
The barbarous spirit of ancient Roman gladia-
torial diversions has partially survived the lapse
of time and the refining influence of civiliza-
ton. 1t appears occasionally among the most
enlightened nations in modern times, somewhat
modified in its manifestations, because the thirst
for all the extreme horrors of sanguinary COM
bats is far less general among mankind to-day
thnn it was in the days of Nero. Nevertheless,
one striking instance of the perpetuated love of
a ferocious spectacle as n favorite national
amusement is furnished by the still popular bull
fights of Spain,
/ very distinctly remember my first visit to the
amphitheatre in Madrid, the renowned capital of
that sunny land and recall betimes the deep thrill
ing emotions that held me spell-bound while L
first witnessed the strange bloody contest be-
tween Infatuated beasts and human daring agil-
iy and skill. A large and enthusiastic assembly
of spectators had gathered around the arena.
Not only the roughs and sports, but also the
most respectable, religious, elegant and
fashionable portion of select society in Ma
drid, occupied the circular seats that rose
round the place de combat, several of
the greatest social, political and eccle-
~siastical luminaries of the nation were con-
spicuously present. Most delicate, bewitching
lovely Senoritds appareled in their finest attrac-
tive costumes awaited impatiently for the be-
ginning of the ungentle sport, which was soon
announced by the loud sound OF trumpets. In
simultaneously the murmur of the great throng
ceased and a death-like silence prevailed, as four
cavaliers advanced on prancing steeds gaily ca
parisoned. With their rich scarfs, gold spears
and s~himmering gorgeous garb. These Pea
dores as they are called, were extremely gaudy.
As they paraded around the arena, a slight
manifestation of applause was heard, which alb
rnptly subsidized, however, when the clarion
sounded the signal of the strife. The bull was
loosened; he bounded into the arena, paused an
instant as if to survey his antagonists, and then
proved his blood and breed by dashig impetu-
ously, with lowered horns and distended nostrils,
to the onset. The picddores displayed fine feats
of craftsmanship in receiving him. They evaded
his attacks with dexterity repeatedly, and low
cred their iances into the sides of the Infatuated
beast, which beloved with agony and plunged
with tremendous force upon his goaders
again and again, only to receive fresh wounds
without so much as inAicting the slightest injury,
but finally it's struggles were effectual. Two
horses collided as the bull charged on them, and,
ere the riders could avoid it, the stubbed horns
of the animal pierced the sides of one horse
which bounded for an instant around the arena
with its entrails trailing in the sand, and fun
its rider violently before it fell and expired. The
remaining horsemen attracted the animals at
tention and it charged fercely as before. For a
while the sport thus continued without fatal re-
suits. brs very narrow escapes lent an intense
fascination to the amusement. When the Plea
dores were well nigh exhausted they withdrew,
and a number of fresh combatants on foot,
waving brilliantly-colored cloths and welding
darts with hooked points, irritated the bleeding
and painting animal into renewed frenzy. Many
times some of these pedestrian champions very
narrowly escaped death, and they all succeeded
in eluding the bulls terrible horns only by the
constant exercise of wonderful strength, courage
and agility. Finally the matddor, or slayer, APP
peared on the scene, resplendently arrayed in a
gay cloak and Establishing a short sword. The
spectators greeted him with resembling cheers,
and he exerted his ingenuity to diversity
their pleasure but, at the very last,
weapon into the animals vitals and con-
summate his triumph, his foot slipped, he fell for
ward and the bulls horns passed through his
body which was..hurled into the air, mangled and
writhing in blood. A frightful cry Of consterna-
ton rang through the vast and crowded amphi-
theatre as the ~shapeless form of the matador fell
in the sand. The noise and confusion caused by
this unusual catastrophe, had scarcely subsidized
ere others had slain the desperate, but now
nearly exhausted bull. The carcass was rolled
upon a gilded car and hurried from sight, while
the inanimate remains of the yanquished matador
were borne away with expedition upon a gorge
GUS stretcher.