224 
BULL-FIGHTS. 
is raised to the highest pitch, and, were it not for 
the experience and skill of the assailants, his furious 
efforts would hurl destruction on their heads in a 
moment. The bull being exhausted with numerous 
wounds and loss of blood, another rictim of barbarous 
sport is demanded ; the signal of death is given by 
the president, and announced by the sound of trum- 
pets. The matador then appears in the arena, when 
the other combatants retire. In one hand he holds 
a long dagger, and with the otherwaves a flag before 
his adversary. The interest and pleasure of the 
spectators, which had been suspended, are again 
awakened, and the matador, watching the favourable 
opportunity, inflicts the mortal blow ; and if the ani- 
mal fall, the loudest shouts of acclamation announce 
the triumph of the conqueror ; but if he fail in the 
first attempt, a murmur of disapprobation pervades 
the assembly. The fallen animal is then dragged 
from the arena by three mules ornamented with bells 
and streamers, and another is immediately introduc- 
ed to run the same course of barbarous torment. At 
one period six bulls were thus sacrificed in a morn- 
ing, and twelve in the afternoon, on the days appro- 
priated to these entertainments in Madrid.” * 
According to Gibbon, the Romans, about the de- 
cline and fall of the empire, borrowed this barbarous 
practice from the Moors. 
“ In the year 1332, a bull feast, after the fashion of 
the Moors and Spaniards, was celebrated in the Co- 
• Encyclopaedia Edinensis. 
