222 
BULL-FIGHTS. 
the horses and hulls, and the wages of the torre- 
adorcs or combatants, are destined to charitable pur- 
poses. In some cities the principal square is fitted 
up as a kind of theatre for this exhibition. 
“ The spectacle begins with a kind of procession 
round the square, in which the combatants, either on 
foot or on horseback, make their appearance ; after 
them two officers of justice in black robes, and of a 
grave deportment, advance to the president of the 
spectacle, and request to have an order for the enter- 
tainment to commence. A signal is then given, and 
the animal, which had been previously shut up in a 
cabin, with a door opening to the square, rushes for- 
ward, and is received by the spectators with the loud- 
est acclamations. The picadores, or combatants, on 
horseback, dressed in the ancient Spanish manner, 
and armed with a long lance, begin the contest; and 
if the hull, without provocation, dart upon them, a 
favourable opinion is entertained of his courase; and 
if, after being wounded and repulsed, he return to 
the charge, the most enthusiastic expressions of joy 
are heard ; but if he is struck with terror, and seem 
anxious to avoid his antagonists, he is hooted and 
hissed by all the spectators, and loaded with re- 
proaches and blows by those who are near him. If 
after all this his courage cannot be roused, large 
dogs are let loose against him, and after being torn 
and mangled, in the estimation of the Spaniards he 
perishes ignobly. The most animated, as well as the 
most bloody scene, is exhibited with the combatant 
