The International Monthly Magazine - Volume V - No IIVarious
History
The International Monthly Magazine - Volume V - No II
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
killed, good spanking falls were endured by the combatants, and the same
tumult and confusion prevailed throughout the circus. The combat had now
lasted three hours, and the shadows of evening were gradually descending
over the scene. Yet the spectators appeared by no means satisfied; some
even grew clamorous, and required that a fourth bull should be brought
forward. Amongst these unreasonable requisitionists, the _aficionado_
particularly distinguished himself. He was (unhappily for his neighbors)
blessed with most stentorian lungs, of which he made a liberal use, upon
the most trifling occasion,—no other bull, however, was produced, and
accordingly the spectators began slowly and discontentedly to disperse.
The fight being ended, the _picadores_ and the rest of the troop withdrew
to the little chapel, to return thanks for their escape. However, the
veracity expected from an historian compels me to say, that their evening
prayers were by no means of the same length as those which had preceded
the encounter of the morning. At the entrance of the chapel we perceived
many a dark-complexioned _manola_—many a terrible looking,
fierce-whiskered, cigar-smoking _majo_—awaiting the egress of their
friends; who, as soon as their devotions were concluded, stalked out with
a martial and haughty air to receive the congratulations of their
comrades. Meantime, the vast concourse of people so lately assembled
together, had gradually dispersed through the various avenues of the
Prado, affording the beholder a most striking and enlivening picture. The
Prado itself, that beautiful promenade, which has attracted the attention
of all who have visited Spain, now presented a most brilliant spectacle:
it was crowded with carriages, as well as with pedestrians, all pressing
to enjoy the coolness of the evening in that delightful spot. Having
strolled a few times up and down this fashionable promenade, we retired to
the _Neverria de Solos_, contiguous to the Prado, to take our _refresco_.
To this place, as to many others of the like nature, the more elegant
class of society retire early in the evening to eat ices, and drink
lemonade and other refreshing beverages. From hence each person retires to
his own _tertulia_ for the evening, and thus ends a day wholly consecrated
to pleasure.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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