St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
PASTIMES OF MEXICO.
That Would Never Flourish


Amusements That Would Never Flourish
in the United States.
While bull-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-
light the hearts Of the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty people. Occa-
sionally corr.da de toros is organized
by 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 it with abhor-
renee, and the Mexican ladies almost
always express against it disapproval,
fear and horror Yet a bull-fight,
properly conducted. is by no means so
revolving a spectacle nor so cruel a
performance as is generally believed.
1t is, 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-creatures.
Til: coleadero, or failing the bull, is
diversion much affected by the young
men of Mexico, barring those of effem-
mate tastes and habits. In this sport
there is the chase by q number of rid
ers of n bull let loose from corral at
one end of an inclosed avenue, two or
three hundred yards long. The bull is
given 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 the tail of his
bovine excellency, and, dexterously
throwing one leg over it. endeavors to
jerk the animal of its feet, and usu-
ally 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 it 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 public
nature, but are organized by a cir
Gle of friends for exercise and amuse-
ment.
The pelea de gallos, or cock-fght, is
a much more brutal and sickening
show than bull-fght. 1t is a most
vicious sport, too, in the way of gam |
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 the
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 not
attend cock-fghts.
Lectures, concerts, etc, are rare and
poorly patronized in Mexico. Parlor
games are little followed on the pla-
teau, but more common on the warm
lands" where, indeed, life in every re-
spect assumes brighter, gayer aspect
under tropical influences. Ladies ride
little, though equestrian exercise is
in to some extent, chiefly
through the influence of foreigners
Mexican men, of course, almost all
ride surprisingly well. Drives in Mex
co are a formal and stupid matter,
of monotonous turns on the
Alameda or boulevard. Picnics, lawn
parties, tennis, croquet and many other
dear to the Anglo-Saxon
lcart are almost unknown in Mexico,
iue to the aforesaid social restrictions,
which also sorely hamper the line of
'vening calls, etc. Rinking and base /
'all begin to b known in sections af- .
ected by American contact, but it will
De long ere the youth of Mexico enjoys
IN adequate share of amusements.- {
NeIicd1s Letter. l.,
!