Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-04-07

FOR the afternoon, but since we coul,
which the sword is withdrawn; th
poor bull then gives a despairing lool
around and drops helplessly on hi
knees; his cycballs roll and glistcn
his jaw drops and shows the whit,
teeth, and in few moments all Il
over In order TO hasten the animals
death after it falls ON its knees a knit,
is driven deep in its neck, after which
it expires Immediately. This is call
ed "the blow of mercy" The bull i,
then drawn out and a fresh one brought
in when the performance is repeated
In this manner, six bulls were killed
Occasionally bull is brought into
the ring who will not fight but insists
upon jumping the railing. Everything
is done to enrage him-loaded bande.
rillas are hooked in his neck, and as
they explode they burn and scar the
flesh horribly; sometimes this torture
produces the desired result, but when
it does not, the bull is driven out and
a fresh one brought IN.
When the bull fighters entered the
ring, we noticed that each wore on his
arm knot of Grape. Inquiry elected
the fact, that it was out of respect to
a bull fighter who had met his death
a few days previous while trying to
Jump the bull.
1t may interest the fair sex to learn
that there are female bull fighters, one
of whom was killed while we were in
Mexico
The bull fighters run like the wind.
whiz through the air as it were, fact
which they often owe their lives to,
for many times it seemed if they were
one second longer in reaching the rail
ing the bull must have caught them
on his horns tossed and gored them
to death.
The greatest pity is the treatment
of the defenceless horses, and it seems
shocking that such humanity is per
mitted by the authorities, but we
learned that it is only lately that bull
fights have been allowed within the
citys limits; so it seems that the
brutality is rather encouraged than sup
pressed.
The next day we visited Arbol de Ia
triste noche, 'sthe tree of the sad
night, under which Cortez wept at
the retreat of the Spaniards. 1t is a
giant cypress. A few years ago a
fanatic set fire TO its immense trunk.
destroying its great beauty; since then
fence has been built enclosing it and
over it placed a guard.
The Cathedral of Mexico, over ten
centuries old, has at one time been
very beautiful and still contains many
magnificent and imposing features. In
the centerof the building is one shrine
which cost over five million dollars
The alters richly and deeply gilded
have lovely and dazzling effect. On
the principal altar there was at one
time lamp, (which is said to have cost
$4,000. The tomb of the Emperor
Iturbide is there and fine paintings
by Murillo.
As one approaches the grand altar
it requires only a slight elasticity OF
the imagination to believe they are en-
joying a vision of heaven. From the
floor to the high arched ceiling we
gazed upon vision of loneliness and
a seeming impossible piece of human
workmanship The walls and ceiling
of the altar appeared to be heavy
deep colored gold beaten into hand
some ornamental shapes, filed up
with fanciful and fantastic ideas, all
beautifully blending into one another.
Around the altar and peeping from
behind the immense richly carved pill.
lars appeared the ideal face Of an
angel, innocent and lovely; paintings
of apostles and saints, grand and in.
spring, helped to carry out this won.
derful effect
To Guadalupe cathedral, the great
Indian shrine, we next went. 1t is
situated on the top of a high hill at
the base of which is a natural well,
and from 1t bubbles forth water which
is pronounced to be cure for all ills,
provided you have faith. Many peo-
pie came with jugs and filled them
with water and mothers brought their
sick infants to battle, all seemingly
full of faith. The water had fine
taste, and every time we think of it a
strong desire to return to Mexico
takes possession of us.
The interior of Guadalupe cathedral
is very fine, the altar ratings being of
solid gold and silver and the images
life like in the extreme.
For nearly 800 years after the in
vasion of Cortez the church and state
were one; during that time a small tax
to build churches was levied upon the
public funds, and that was the source
from which the money flowed to build
such grand and costly edifices.
An Afternoon was spent at the San
Carlos Academy where we were afford