The training place or “university” of bull-fighters is at Seville, and the most daring of the schools of _toreros_ are of the South of Spain. Madrid is the scene of the _espada’s_ triumph, or of his defeat, for though the spectators at the _corrida_ are ever ready to lavish applause upon the clever performer with the lance or sword, they are cruelly critical, and show little mercy towards the timorous or bungling artist. Even the famous Bombita, the Madrid favourite, has known that ominous stillness that succeeds an ill-rendered thrust at a bull of unusual agility. The public will load Fuentes with their gold, and cheer him to the echo when he displays his coolness and dexterity, but the same public will not hesitate to hiss the best _espada_ who ever stepped into the ring, when he commits an impropriety or misses the opportunity of an instant to deliver a thrust of the blade. As in the old days of the tournament, fair ladies smile upon and favour the bold _torero_. There are instances of the exactions of these high-born patronesses of the sport, which have resulted in death for the _espada_ who courted their approbation. It is recorded that a royal lady was so fascinated by an exceptionally agile feat performed by a _torero_ that she wished to see it repeated. The desire was conveyed to the performer. “It is more than my life is worth,” he said. “It is the wish of the lady,” returned the messenger. Bowing low, the _torero_ said: “I dedicate my life to Her Royal Highness.” Again the bull charged; but this time the unlucky athlete was caught on the horns of the beast, whence he was removed--a corpse. It is the custom in England to speak of the _espada_ and of bull-fighters collectively as “matadors.” The word is altogether inappropriate to the sport. We hear of young gentlemen attending fancy dress balls in London, attired as “a Spanish matador,” or as a “toreador.” A bull-fighter in Spain is a _torero_ in the general sense, though the word really means one who engages the bull on foot. The performer with the sword, the most important functionary in the ring, is known as the _espada_; and the man who charges the animal on horseback, with a spear or lance as a weapon, is called a _picador_. Throwers of the darts are termed _banderilleros_; wavers of the gaudy cloaks, and the assistants of the _espadas_, are called _chulos_. These are the grades of _toreros_ in their order of precedence. IX THE ART OF THE BULL-FIGHTER The Plaza de Toros, or bull ring, of Madrid, is a great structure designed by Capra and Rodriguez Ayuso in 1874. It is in the Moorish style of architecture, with a fine façade and an imposing entrance arch. According to one Spanish writer, the total number of seats is 12,605, but other writers give 15,000 and 14,000 as the number. Philip V. built the first bull-fighting arena in Madrid, in 1747, although he was by no means an enthusiast of the sport. The cost of the present building was 3,000,000 reales.