Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-04
THE SPORT OF SPAIN
HOW A SPANISH BULL FIGHT II
CONDUCTED.
Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars Paid to
Matadors for One Evening
in the Ring.
From London Tia-BI,s.

- uoucioi whelher queen Ena, as she
now rs VIII md 1t an easy matter TO alter
ner new subjects tastes in regard to their
prediction for the national sport of bull
hghting A horse race In Spain is no, an
event which excites much general attention.
though 10 all appearances some attempts
haye OF late been made on the part OF all
round s?or,smen In Madrid and elsewhere
TO arouse sort of feeble Interest in the
turf
But II is the fiesta de toros" or cor
rida,e which is the ali-prevailing attraction.
and when one considers the grand scale
| upon which these buli-rings are erected,
some with a capacity for accommodating a.
many as 14oc0 spectators II will easily be
seen that the Spanish taste for this form OF
amusement Is by means a half hearted
one
The techn!calities of the turf are In all
conscience bewildering enough to the lay
| mind. but IL Is q question whether the term
| inology of the bull-ring is not even worse
Every thrust has Its particular designation,
and every mode of attack or defense is
likewise distinguished by. numberlcss tech
| nical appellations. All these subtle;ies are
carefully chronicled by the sporting scribes
on the various Spanish newspapers. and
their glowing accounts, sometimes inter-
larded with extempore verses when ordi-
nary prose fails to express their enthu-
siasm. are eagerly devoUred by those unfor-
tunate readers who had no opportunity OF
DelnR present at the actl0i event
The Matador.
T'ae "mstador'' slayer, of course, occu-
pies he most important post. but next to
him. perhaps, the bulls themselves receive
the largest share of attention. The latter are
designated by proper names, just as in the
case of our English race horses, but, alas!
the poor bulls fame is of only brief dura-
ton, since once he enters the arena ne
from
Before the animals enter the ring some
little formality has to be observed. The
president" of the "eorrida first o. All
throws down into the center OF the hghting
stage the keys of the Enclosure where the
animals are confined. This ceremony was
performed few days ago by King Alfonso
himself on the occasion of the royal DULL
fight In Madrid at which Queen Ena was
also present.
The Assistants.
Behind the matador come his assistants,
who compose collectively what is termed
''cuadrilla' Two out of this number tpica-
DORIS or "lancersD are mounted on morse
back. but the weapon they handle gener-
ally proves of very little utility in warding
off the onslaughts of the bull, and the con-
sequence is that the poor horse suffers
cruelty from his antagonist. The other
members of the party, who conduct their
operations on foot, are described as pan
derilleros'' their business being restricted
q
their chief when he happens to find himself
in a tight corner They attain this object
by projecting little darts decorated with
ribbon ('banderilla'D into the neck and
withers of the oncoming bull. The engage
ment with each animal generally occupies
the space of half an hour, and at the end
of that period the matador, before giving
the final lunge, advances toward the crowd
ed house and making a little speech, which
is received by an ovation If the combat has
pleased the audience, awaits the exhibiuon
of the colored handkerchief which decides
the finishing stroke This signal being
variety OF recognized moves. He may, per
haps. favor the "estocada a volapies; IL
so he boldly approaches the bull, which.
already bewildered by the complicated an
ties of his tormentors awaits the toreador
without moving seeking to escape, where
upon the bull fighter gives the coup de
grace by plungfng his sword up to the hit
in the animals neck. or between the horns.
On the other hand. when the matador him
self remains at his place and waits TO re-
ceive the final charge of the bull the move
is known as 'recibiendo." or receiving"
When both approach each other from oppo-
site directions the assault becomes "a un
TEMPO"
After the last act has been performed
the arena is cleared for the mex. engage
ment the dead and injured horses are re-
moved (or patched up again in the case
of the latter, whilst their companions in
misfortune who await their turn at the
back of the house. are led blindfolded into
the ring to face the next bull
1t is not surprising that such encounters
fail to recommend themselves to the Eng
lish spirit of fair play, even In sport. since
the fate of the animal is sealed from the
first moment 1t enters on the stage.
AS much as ESQ is sometimes paid to n
first-class matador for one evenings serv-
ices, which is exclusive of the handsome
presents he often receives from the hands
of well-to-do spectators, among whom ladies'
are conspicuous