New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-03

eway In the Colombians: but one who has had
the privilege Of visiting them Intimately may
well be enthusiastic about the charm and hospi-
tality Of the Colombian home. The foreigners
In themselves form a good sized colony, and
the foreign ministers, who constitute the aris-
tocracy Of the place. keep virtually open house.
The brightly uniformed Indian solders-the
officers alone being TO any extent of Spanish
blood-give a touch of color to the streets.
it is a great mistake 20 think that the Co
lombian Army is purely ornamental and that
1t Is composed Of play soldiers The contrary
IS demonstrated by the fact that in the Tate
unpleasantness" fifty thousand men were either
killed in battle or died in camp If the sur
fiVors are the fttest then the present Colon
pian army is composed of hardened veterans.
well trained in tropical warfare and immune
to its dangers.
There are several gambling houses in Bogota,
licensed by the government. Roulette is the
favorite game, but the stakes are low and the
amount of play in a month would not equal
that III a night at Panama. Until recently, the
government also leased lottery privileges. but
this industry became too popular and was
suppressed. The Bogota cockpit is famous
throughout the country. Much attention is
given TO the breeding of the birds Semi
weekly mains are held and the betting these
The gaming tables.
The BOgotans are enthusiastic tbeatregoers
and the two theatres of the city are crowded
during the visits Of the opera and dramatic
companies. The Teatro Colon-bEilt by the gov
eminent at a cost of 81 900 0O0-presents an ap-
pearance on the night OF a popular performance
which can favorabIy compare with that of any
theatre in New-York. This theatre is situated
In the finest street In Bogota. few steps away
he
posing mansion. The people often visit the
President in a body and call on him for a
speech which he generally makes from a little
balcony in the second story. In the present ex-
cited condition of Bogota over the Panama af-
fair, one may imagine the wrought up crowds
that daily crowd the street before the palace
But the function which most appeals to the
heart OF the Colombian is the bull fight. on
holiday and Sunday afternoons the bull ring on
the outskirts Of the city, is the common meeting
place. 1t is built after the regulation pattern
little balustrade-over which the bull fighter
can vault when hard pressed-running around
the ring and forming little alley. beyond
which the seats rise tier on tier TO the boxes
The Presidents box is fitted up gorgeousy and
Is generally occupied by the chief executive or
some other official. a little boy dressed as a
herald and mounted on magnificent Andalu-
sian horse enters the ring through a gate oppo-
site the Presidents box and rides once around.
to the applause Of the eXpectant multitude. The
bull fighters. in splendid array. then az pear and
are led by the herald across the ring to the
Presidents box. Here the matador makes an
elaborate speech. going through the formality of
asking permission to proceed, and finishing by
oedicating the performance to his excellency
and tossing his cap TO the people.
whistle blows. a door at the side OF the ring
slides open, a bull rushes through, receiving
from above two gaudy darts in the side # the
neck, which make him land in the middle Of the
arena 49, bound: the bull fighters
d----.-,-a about the ring, tense and alv.l
watch his every movement; the bull looks from
one to the other uncertain which to charge
Finally waves a bright scarf. the bull. with
g snort, plunSes at him-and the fight is on
sometimes the bull wort charge, in which
event another animal is brought in. a