Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-11-29
ASPANISH BULL-FIGHT.
Mrs. Frank Leslie's Story Of the
Scenes of the Arena
Tho King Smiles, the ArlstOcrhcy
Applaud, Mothers and Children
Shout for Joy.--But 1T
Was Sad Affair."
(Croffut's Letter in Pioneer Press.1

[Croffut's Letter in Pioneer Press.]
asked Mrs Leslie about the bull-fght she
had attended in Madrid. at was n sad af-
fair" she said; lit almost made me sick.
meant to write it up myself; but l haven't
time, and l will give it to you. l got to Spain
out of season, the regular society season be-
ing in winter, as in New York. When ar
rived in July the great balls and gaycties
were over, and tho chief theatres were
closed or closing. The regular bull
fights were at an ond, too; but as the appe-
tite for that sort of combat is Unsuitable there,
they got up a special extra one, exclusively
for the kim; and his court, and to that was
escorted by the family of member OF the
government. King Alfonso is very fond OF
bull fights and the taste adds to his popu-
larity. This "sport," SO called is at the bull
ring, or Plaza dc Toro,, n structure good
deal like the amphitheatre Mt Rome, with
seats all around AMI open at the top to the
sky. There were no professional bull-f5hters
present on this OCCASION, the picadors and
matadors being neutrality-suspicious. bred,
and many of them titlel, was told. Some
times thoro are eight or ton bulls slain at ono
performance, but this day there were only
four dispatched, partly, no doubt, be-
cause their fighters were amateurs
A bull fight has been called, you know,
tragedy in three acts, and that it is what
it is exactly, only that it is no play
tragedy, like those on tn, stage. In the first
act the picadors assal and irritate the bull,
and are defended, from time to time, by tho
chulos, with their binding cloaks; in the
second act the chulos stick their barbel darts
into him, till he is infuriated to desperation;
in the third act tn! matadoiS come i'll aud
kill him with a blow of sword, beneath his
sllou.dcr-bladc. There were about twelve or
fifteen of tho assaiants. All were mounted.
When they came in they made one or two
turns around the ring showing their horse
manship, as in circus, and bowed low
before the box where tho king sat. They
were in various bright costumes. u conslicu-
o,ls one being the red velvet jacket, embroid-
erod in gold and silver lace, and slashcd
trousers OF velvet or satin. Their caps were
ticI under their chins, and they wore
diamonds AMI precious stones without num-
bcr. Then they had regn!"r tournament,
riding OH a run around the arena, holding
their spears ready AMI catching on th'ir point
little pennons or ribbons that hung from
horizontal bar. Some of tt!e.n showed great
skill at this, getting two or three Of tho rib
bons. Then I'll dislnountcl and the horses
were lnj away.
"rresantly the first l,nll was le,l ill., and
was received with cries of w.lcome from tho
audience lie wa, IA beautiful little fellow
a Castian from the kings preserve, young,
brisht-eyed, silky and pretty, playful in his
manner, and full of activity and feeling OF
strength. He did not look fierce. III fact,
suppose they did not want too force an ami
mel for these embroidered and feathcroh
alicionalos-thc howor of Ma irid socicty-to
cope with | was so sorry for the little beauty
the minute | saw him. This was not at
all what had come for. had come to 500
sone savage and wickel boast put
out of tho way where he could do no
more harm. The gentle creature seemed
dazel at first; he halted and looked inquir-
ingly around; he had apparently never heard
of bull-fght before. Perhaps he thought it
wa. new strange pasture He looked at
tho mon on the horses. Then the fun began.
The plea ors gathered around tho bull ana
pricked him with their lanccs Ho Einched,
shook his hoal bravely, and wll,n too close
pressed, charged vigorously among them.
They easily sprnng out of his way, and lanced
him again and again when no was bowildcred
by tho cloaks and scarlet flags flung before
his face.
'1Ic felt himself at disadvantage for a
time, fighting pluckly. and then trying to
get away. IIo wen. to tho gate again, but it
was locked. He cane to tho palisade around
the arena looked up at the king and uttered
such pitiful beat of misery and appeal as |
shall never forget The audience roarel with
laughter, and hooted him, and each ban
l d, int
barb This was two or three feet long, and
was left sticking in the animal, all thu shaft
of it above tho head being wound with tlo"-
c,s aud bright ribbons that waved and fut-
tered as he ran Each time one of these
would be stuck in him SO that it stayed,
the spectators raised cry OF Bravo!
bravo, bien hechon well d.nel. When
there we're eight or ton of these barbs in the
frenzed bull, and he was rushing bindly
around the arena, fall of rage blood drip
ping from his sides, and the bright ribbons
and rose, quivering above him, there was
great delight ani excitement. Scores OF
little children, brought there by their moth
ers, stood up on the seats and c!apped thor
tiny hands and shouted for joy. would
have given 500 at that momont if the little
bull could have caught one of his chief tor
mentors Oh his NOFnS ana tOS tl uill IWcHty-
five feet in the air. But he could not.
"Hc would come and put his head over tho
fence now and then, and below sorrowfully
for help, and then dodge the goads again. He
began to stasscr, and was evidently helpless.
Then rose the cry, Natalie! Natalie! tkill
him! Kill him!) and they all went at him to
slay him. Being non-eXprrt, they missed the
clean thrust and stabbed the poor creature in
the wrong place. Blood Gushel forth, and
the wounded animal staggered off again,
making IL futile effort to fight back Women
stood on tiptoe and applaudel with the rest,
like the scene in Murillo's picture.
Finally moro men came, and they
succeeded at last inc stabbins the
creature through The brain and
killing him. Then the matadors came and
bowed low before King -Alfonsos box, and he
smiled aprrovingly and led the applause.
One could not help thinking of the Roman
glatliatorial fight. when the emperor silently
inverted his thu.,b over the railing and tht
spectators cried 'pol'iic verson
".Now sit still ; there are four more bulls to
be killed, and some of the rest will be even
better than this, they told me.
"But | had had enough, and more than
enough. went homo. When the Madrid
reporters came and asked mo how | was
pleased, said: 1t is the only thing in Nj: hid
or in 81 ain that do not like"