The National tribune., 1892-12-22

But NEST OF the bulls arc game to the last and
die such. However. the man with the sword
would not stand much shsw with fresh and
unwearied animal.
The matador first Invariably approaches the
| chairman and makes a little set speech. in
which permission is asked pro forma, to kill
| the bull, saying that lie would do so to the
| glory of Madrid, etc. He carries bright-red
| flag ON a staff in his left hand, and good
Toledo blade in his right. This flag serves both
| as a lure to the beast and protection to the
man. He would shake the flag and get the
bull to charge few times. Then when ready
| he would poise the blade, and as the bull had
his head lowered in charge plunge it between
the shoulder-bIades. A good strike is to
plunge it in just deep enough that it cannot be
shaken out. Then as the bull moves about it
gradually works deeper, and in from two to
four minutes the animal drops. Then the
matsdor punges dagger in the animals
spine which forever puts An end to his earthly
trials
The killing of the bull is a science. There
are many different schools which have been
founded by great masters. If matador is not
satisfied with any existing method, he simply
establishes new one for himself.
One Of the matadors at this fight was ex-
ceptonally popular. 1t was wonderful to see
how excited and enthusiastic the crowd be-
came after successful killing. They rose and
cheered, waved handkerchief, and q perfect
volley of hats and cigars was thrown toward
him. Then the hero made a circuit of the ring,
receiving the plaudits Of each section in turn.
As he did so it kept two or three men busy
returning the hats and picking up the cigars.
The matador was then the hero of the hour.
Figurativcly, he was carried around on every
b0dys shoulders.
Then comes the finale Teams of gaily-
deckcd mules are brought in to drag out the
dead horses and bull. The bloody places are
covered, as not to be slippery, and the show
begins again. with the same features repeated.
Six bulls are usually killed, but at this one
eight were disposed of in three and one half
hours. The audience then cried for more,
which was not granted, as the expense is too
great.
Now, the Portuguese method is the bull fight
deprived of its most disgusting details. 1t is
equally exciting, too. They dispense with
the first and last parts-that is, the killing of
both horses and bulls. The mon with red
cloaks are employed just the same. Likewise
the banderillos, who, however, are mounted on
horses. But what horses Instead of poor
brokendown racks of horses they have magnf-
cent, weil-trained animals. and you may be sure
they take good care of them. No bull is
willingly allowed to make sausage meat of
their horses sides. Their method of procedure
is to take longer darts, then ride past the bull
and plant them as before. 1t is very exciting
to see this done. OF course a good horse is
naturally swifter than bull, but to guide the
horse and successfully plant these darts is
something altogether more difficult, and re-
quired great skill. After the bull is
thoroughly tired by this method herd of
oxen is driven in and the bull taken out
with them. The method is more civilized bull
fighting. In any form it is bad enough, yet if
we can draw line between degrees of evil that
of the Portuguese is the least to be condemned.
A bull fight such as this one is no inexpen-
sive affair. Let me tell you the approx innate
cost. There were eight bulls, at about 500
each. Eight horses were killed, worth probably
$25 each. The matadors receive at least $500
each of these there were three. The plea
doris get 500 each-seven of them; 10 bau-
deriIos, at So each. Besides, there were the
"capas" and all the Portuguese participants.
In ALL this bull fight cost between 3d. 600 and
S., 900.
There were present I3, 900 people The price
Of tickets was unusually high, and ranged from
$1.20 for seat in the sun to So for boxes. So
you the poor Of Madrid and Lisbon, to
whom the proceeds were to co. would have left
good big margin.
Some may think that from an economical
point Of view the bull fight is detrimental to
business interests. On the contrary, reckon
ing from ordinary principles, the greater the
consumption the greater the benefit to pro-
ducers. Something like 2, 500 bulls are killed
annually, and $500 horses. 1t stimulates the
bull market and furnishes a profitable way of
extermnating worn-out horses Besides, a
great deal of money is collected in this way
for charity. sale
Do ladies attend these spectacles? some one
may ask. Most assuredly, and take as much
interest as the stronger minded sex. Nor does
the sight Of blood bring blanch to their
checks. On the contrary, their black eyes
sparkle with excitement, and they shower
their appreciation On the successful one with
ont reserve No, no, these dark haired senori-
tas do not shrink from the bull fight. They
take as much interest in it as many American
ladies do in good baseball game.
In addition, the bull fight is the place for
dress as the opera is in large titles in America.
The Spanish lady wears the graceful mantilIa
here, if anywhere, beautiful shawl over her
and the fan, without which d Span
ish lady is never at ease. All the gailantry
and politeness in the Spanish nature comes to
the surface on the way TO and at the bull fight.
In short it is the great day for display, for
dress aud for gallantry. All classes-rich and
ruor--are seen to their best advantage. Their
enthusiasm, their manner, their expressions
all are distinctly national.
N. o. WINTER.
fl,xl 90 IL