United labor bulletin., 1913-08-23

self and his horse "ht" pursued and speared the
wild or semi-wild cattle OF the plains Probably
the next step the introduction OF the buh
into an arena where the prowess OF the knight
could be witnessed and criticised by his friends
aud rivals. II the rider was unhorsed he endeas-
ored TO XIII the bull with his sword. One mar
ysls how he did II with scmitar. but possibly
by this time the Moors had adopted the straight
swords of their rivals. the Spaniards, with whom
during intervals OF peace. they not inirequeh.iy
held combined fiesta de toros. In which oo'h
Christian and Mosiem We'd in friendly rivalry at
the staying OF mighty buln. To quote Mr.. Abel
Chapman in "Unexplored SPAIN AT this pc
riod during the thirteenth and fourteenth cen
turtles the knight who lance in hand, had been
hurled from the saddle might draw his sword and
Kill tho bull. his vassals being allowed to place
the bull Cby deft display OF colored eloaks) IN
position TO facilitate the death stroke Here
doubtless originated the art OF playing the bull.
and Incidentally sprang the professional bun
fighter" need not quote Mr.. Chapman further.
as ihh IL sufficient 20 show the origin OF the
pro matador. and the present decadonee OF
the sport Is not difficult TO follow.
As time on. owing 10 opposition on the
part of kings and queens and popes, the aris
tooracy OF Spain gradually fell away from the
sport and the mounted spearmans portion OF
the spectacle became OF less and less Importance
an the knights withdrew from the contests Thus.
in due course we arrive at the CHASTITY farce OF
the present day. when the skullful rider. who
was II not disgraced. at any rate poorly thought
of II his horse sustained damage In the contest
IL
sorry nag is never intended TO escape the bulis
horns As the horseman's role in the show has
shrunk so has the footmans part increased.
until we come to the highly paid mntador of the
present day. Though not much patronized by the
aristocrncy or the army. and nominaly con-
demned by the church. yet bull fighting still re-
mains the sport OF the people. and consequently
OF the press. Shooting. racing and polo have
taken its place among the upper classes; but La
corrida comes before everything in the popular
estimation. You may go to n race meeting in
Spain and English and French thoroughbred
horses English. French and Spanish Jockeys.
fashionable and crowded paddock. police and
troops to keep the course-but no crowd to be
kept in orderl
So much for the Importance OF the sport of
bullhghting: to the animals employed
in Il and the method of training them. II must
FIRST OF all be borne In mind that the Spanish
fighting bull is n very different animal from the
big stod and solid shorthorns and Herefords
which In this country. Like the race
horss he is an artificial creature. bred by selec-
ton for generations for one purpose namely, 10
fight and ! can assure the reader that, with every
circum stance against him. he will fght from the
fall of the flag" to his last convulsive enort to
get on his feet again when stricken to the heart.
In various parts of Spain there are many STUD
FIRMS witch keenly compete with each other
In producing the best hghting stock. That OF Don
Miura is perhaps at present the most famous
Fighting bulls are In appearance not unlike the
old English longhorn breed on smaller scale,
hut ma they vary in appearance. they might
Equally be likened to Jersey bulls with longer
horns) or black Welsh bulls. They vary In color.
as these comparisons suggest-white with black
spots and patches, white with red spots ana
patches or dark purple brown with light muzze
and ears and n light brown stripe down the
backbone tThis last variety is said to be de-
scended directly from the Aurochs) The most
common OF all is Jet black all over at least,
personally have seen most OF this color. ING
sarIv davn Of calfdom are spent in luxurious
idleness on the plains. but at one year old some
sort of trial is held, believe. This have not
personally Witnessed. so cannot give any De
tails At two years old comes the second ria'
and of this ! will endeavor to give abort de-
scription. ,n
personally Witnessed tentadero Vria)
through rIaases. and from safe and fairly COM