BULLS AND BULL-FIGHTS 177 



that the humaner and more sportsmanlike customs 

 of the Moorish bull-fight may be re-established. As 

 a display of horsemanship, for which it was originally 

 intended, the Spanish version of the bull-fight is a 

 sorry spectacle. The horses are broken-down crea- 

 tures, destined to be gored by the bull, and so poor 

 in condition that they have not a chance of escape. 



Yet, properly used, the horse can always hold its 

 own against the greater strength of the bull. " The 

 strength of the horse as compared to that of the 

 bullock is quite astonishing," writes Charles Darwin 

 in his description of the Pampas. " A man on horse- 

 back, having thrown his lasso round the horns of a 

 beast, can drag it anywhere he chooses. The animal, 

 ploughing up the ground with outstretched legs in 

 vain efforts to resist the force, generally dashes at full 

 speed to one side ; but the horse, immediately turning 

 to receive the shock, stands so firmly that the bullock 

 is almost always thrown down, and it is surprising 

 that their necks are not broken." The struggle is, 

 however, not one of fair strength ; the horse's girth 

 being matched against the bullock's neck. Yet even 

 the miserable horses of the bull-ring, with their backs 

 against the barrier, will often sustain the bull's charge, 

 which is turned by the united weight of horse and 

 rider bearing on the blunt spear. 



The Pope has forbidden priests to attend the bull- 

 fights, but the order has been interpreted as an in- 

 junction against appearing in clerical costume. Before 

 going the -padre doffs his cassock and his shovel-hat. 

 It would be difficult totally to forbid the attendance 



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