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Life In The Old World: The Royal Bull Eight

Life In The Old World: The Royal Bull Eight image
Parent Issue
Day
30
Month
January
Year
1847
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The grand Buil i-ight in nonor ot me Spanish marriagesis graphicallydespribed by a correspondent of the London Times, under date of Oct. 17th. The grand square at Madrid was filled by spectators to the number of 30,000, all anxious to witness the rrfincd pageant and thG exciting fight. Four grandee cavaliers enlered the lists on spirited Andalusian horses, and the Queen at the hour appointed gave the signal for the commencement of the fight by throwing froni the balcony where she sat the key of the stall containing the restive buil. The only weapon of the cavaliers was a short light spear with a steel point. At the first encounter,oneof the cavaliers was thrown from his horse and another feil undr the animal, both injured and ubliged to retire from the scène. The third planled ihrce lances in the buil and finally kl'ed him, but his hor.so bscame afïïighted and threw his rider, who was compelled to leave the arena seriously wounded. The hero of the day, D. Antonio Romero, now alone remained, displaying a dauntless courage and inimitable skill, and killing four buHsby the dexterity of his spear. His bravery exciied the feelings of the spectators to a pitch of the most frantic enthusiasm, and the danger the cavalier encountered is vividly described by the correspondent of the Times as fulfullov.s :The fourlh buil befo re receiving his Jeatli blow, made a rush nt Romero, and placing hls hornsunder ihe horse's belly, actually Üfted into the air the noble anima) and his rider. The cavalier feil underthe horse, into whose entruils the horns had entered, and boih rolled logether on the ground. A shout of terror at the dangerof the cavalier, and ofapplause at the brave act of the buil, rent the air. lt was for a moment beüeved that Romero was hurt, but tranquil ty was at once restored, when, in a minute or two, both horse and rider rose f rom the ground, the rider seated as firmly in his saddle as if he had never been disturbed froöi it. Another shout hailed this new proof of excellent horsemanship. But the cry of adtninition was above all description, when the ne.xt moment the spectators beheld the buil fall dead, in the very act of preparing for another bound. Fhis attack on the horse had only been a desperate eflbrt of expiring strength, and was made at the very moment he receivedthe last lance of the cavalier. This was the last display made by the colleros en Romero retired wiih some slight bruises, and was again and again saluted wiih the waving of handkerchiefs from the balconies, and the shouts of the muhiiude. The combat was now sustained by regular and professional bull-fighters. Eleven bulls were killed and a proportionale numberof horses. The preparations for the whole afluir were made in a most splendid manner. Gorgeous draperies flaunted from banner and battlemenl. - The liorses were magnificently cnparisoned, and nodding plu mes waved in all directions. The royal balcony glittered in crimson and gold, the musicians were in grand costume, and the caballeros themselves superbly appointed. It was all done for the amusement of royal children - fur the pleasure of wedded balies.