494 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
of the necessary costume of the Majo. In an instant, silence 
prevailed ; for a body of soldiers came and took their stations 
at the opening of the arena, to prevent any of the spectators 
from getting in. 
The scene which followed reminded me of the former days 
of chivalry, the usages of which are still scrupulously pre- 
served in this ceremony. The Toreadors made their appear- 
ance to the sound of martial music, clad in brilliant costume, 
the little scarlet cloak over the shoulder, and the hair twisted 
at the back of the head in a kind of knot, called a moño. 
They presented themselves in order under the balcony 
allotted to the Maestranza to whom they made obeisance 
and then dispersed themselves over the arena. Three Pica- 
dors followed, lance in hand, their heads covered with 
enormous broad-brimmed hats. A moment of throbbing 
interest followed, when the bull darted from a small opening - 
and presented himself on the stage. But I had neither plea- 
sure in seeing nor now in describing the butchery of horses and 
bulls which followed ; and I soon withdrew from the spectacle, 
convinced that while there are numbers of high-minded 
Spaniards who blush at the delight taken in these butcher 
sports, and who are sorrowfully convinced that their effect — 
isto demoralize and brutalize the populace, yet that ae 
time is still far off, ere the people of this country can -e 2 
weaned from an amusement which appeals to their inherent — 
natural taste for what is cruel and sanguinary. Indeed it e 
much to be regretted that government lends its aid to solem- 4 
nize these spectacles. ** By order of the Queen,” are wore: ar 
attached to all the bills which announce a bull-fight, and ies 
. the highest authorities of the place are always present. ; T 
"sport is considered in the light of a real science; it is subject — 
to fixed and numerous laws; and the late King F erdinand, - ? 
who was passionately fond of these exhibitions, founded an x 
Academy at Seville for the instruction of the Toreador 
Many works are written on the subject: at this ey X 
= | a new one has just been published called Tauromachia, € : gy 
