Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-07-31
pAsrlmEs or MEXICO.
Amusemsnts That you'd Never fioarisA
In the UnIfed states

In the UnIted states
While buIl-fghts may really be called
the great national amusement In Mex
leo. It must not be supposed that public
opinion on this subject is undivided
The champions of bull-fghting are
enthusiastic. but its opponents are
numerous and vehement enough TO de-
FIGHT the hearts Of the Society for the
Prevention OF Cruelty people. Occa-
sionalIy a corr da de toros is organized
bv amateurs for the purposes OF benef-
icence. and then the press leads the
unhappy projectors with censure and
satire. While many high-caste Mexi-
cans undoubtedly delight in this sport
a large number regard 1t with abhor-
renee, and the Mexican ladies almost
always express against it disapproval,
fear and horror. Yet a bull-fght,
properly conducted. is by no means so
revolving spectacle nor SO cruel
performance as is generally believed
IL ia. of course, extremely popular
with the masses. and there is no doubt
that these performances serve as a
social safety-valve. where finds vent
the natural evil and savage element in
the makeup Of humanity, which would
otherwise expend itself in violence and
/ disorder as regards fellow-creatureA
TIL, coleadero. or failing the bull. Is
a diversion much affected by the young
men of Mexico. barring t'ose Of effem-
( mate tastes and habits. In this sport
/ there is the chase by a number OF rid
ers Of bull let loose from n corral at
/ one end OF an inclosed avenue. two or
three hundred yards long. The bull Ia
given a fair start, and the horsemen
dash after him. dropping back one by
/ one until only the most forward is left.
and he, guiding his horse alongside
the flying game. grasps Che tail OF his
bovine excellency. and, dexterously
throwing one leg over it endeavors to
Jerk the animal off its feet, and usu-
al Y does so. The feat is one Of skill
rather than strength, and even women
have been known to perform it. There
is an element of danger. but 1t is not
revolving. There is even comic strain
in the foolish look Of the bull as he
scrambles to his feet again These
exhibitions are seldom Of a public
nature. but are organized by a cir
Gle of friends for exercise and amuse-
ment-
The pelea de gallos, or cock Knight Is
much more brutal and sickening
show than a bull-fght 1t is most
{ vi in, of
bling. really enormous sums being
staked on the issue of these combats
, The greatest attention is paid TO the
breeding. rearing and care Of the game
\ cocks. and animals Of noted record are
conveyed between distant points of tbs
. Republic to engage IN contests. They
are shipped in curious crates Of woven
cane. and the utmost care is observed
, in their transportation Ladies do noi
attend cock-fghts
Lectures, concerts etc. are rare and
poorly patronized in Mexico. Parlol
games are little followed on the pla
teau. but more common on the warn
; lands where, indeed. life in every re
(; spect assumes brighter, gayer aspect
= under tropical influences Ladies' ride
e little. though equestrian exercise is
e creeping in to soma extent. chief,
through the influence of foreigners
I Mexican men, of course. almost al
ride surprisingly well. Drives in Mex
leo are a formal and stupid matter
u consisting OF monotonous turns on tn.
!, Alarmed or boulevard. Picuics. lawr
: parties, tennis, croquet and many othe
amusements dear to the Anglo-Saxor
heart are almost unknown in Mexico
due b tie aforesaid social restrictions
which also sOrely hamper the line o
evening calls, etc. Rinking and base
o ball begin tc b known in sections af
fected by American contact but it will
i be long ere the youth of Mexico enjoy
9 an adequate share OF amusements.-
d -Aerican letter.