EFFECT OF THE BULL-FIGHTS. 103 



at length, the poor beast, exhausted by loss of 

 blood, fell down and died. 



The greater number of the company, although 

 females, seemed enchanted witli the brutal scene 

 passing under their eyes, and I looked round, in 

 vain, for a single face that looked grave : every 

 individual, indeed, seemed quite delighted. It 

 was melancholy to observe a great proportion of 

 children amongst the spectators ; from one of 

 whom, a little girl, only eight years old, I learn- 

 ed that she had already been present at three 

 bull-fights ; the details of which she gave with 

 great animation and pleasure, dwelling especially 

 on such horrid circumstances as I have described. 

 It would shock and disgust to no purpose to give 

 a minute account of other instances of wanton 

 cruelty, which, however, appeared to be the prin- 

 cipal recommendation of these exhibitions. But 

 it was impossible to help feeling, in spite of our 

 much-talked-of neutrality, \hrit any change which 

 would put a stop to such proceedings was greatly 

 to be wished. In every instance in South Ame-^ 

 rica, where the cause of independence has suc- 

 ceeded, two measures have been invariably adopt- 



