SPANISH BULL-HUNTING. 81 



jacket, covered with gold lace and silver-gilt buttons ; the 

 velvet vest, richly embroidered ; the lace shirt, red silk 

 sash, velvet breeches, and silk stockings; all harmonizing 

 in color and form, set off the figure to the best advantage, 

 and add to the grace and elegance for which the Anda.- 

 lusian is so justly celebrated. These men, of whom there 

 were five or six, are accustomed from their infancy to the 

 dangerous employment of bull-fighting, and the agility 

 and dexterity displayed in evading the furious attacks of 

 the bull, are astonishing. After carefully examining the 

 arena, they each armed themselves with four short barbed 

 darts, and waited for the coming of the bull. They had 

 not to wait long : the door was thrown open, and the ani- 

 mal rushed into the centre, greeted by the shouts and vivas 

 of the spectators. One of the Spaniards advancing, invited 

 the attack, when the bull, who at first, bewildered and 

 amazed, had stood tearing up the earth with its feet till 

 almost hid from view by the cloud of dust, lashing itself 

 into fury with its tail, rushed upon its opponent. All who 

 were not accustomed to such spectacles thought the man 

 must inevitably have perished ; but just as the long and 

 powerful horns seemed to touch his body, he stepped 

 nimbly aside, and turning smartly round, planted all four 

 darts in the animals neck just behind the horns. Loud 

 shouts of applause rewarded his dexterity, and the bull, 

 more enraged than ever, ran round the arena, tearing up 

 the earth and bellowing with rage, until encountered by 

 a second picadore with like success. After the Spaniards 

 had exhausted themselves in exciting the rage of the bull, 

 they quitted the arena, and the populace were admitted 

 to throw the bull. This was generally done by one man 

 leaping between* the horns, upon which he supported him- 

 self in an upright posture till relieved by his companions, 

 who threw the bull to the ground. The cry of " Largo ! 

 largo /" was the signal for its liberation, when some tame 

 cattle being admitted, it was led by them to the pen. Six 



