The seats destined for the use of the public are situated immediately beyond the second barrier. Those near the ropes are called _plazas de barrera_, those in the middle _tendidos_, while those next to the first tier of the _grada cubierta_ are distinguished by the appellation of _tabloncillos_. All these rows, which remind you of the seats in the Roman amphitheatres, are composed of bluish granite, and have no covering but the canopy of heaven. Immediately behind them are the covered places, _gradas cubiertas_, which are divided into _delantera_, first seats; _centro_, middle seats; and _tabloncillo_, seats with backs. Above these are the boxes, called _palcos_ and _palcos por asientos_. They are a hundred and twenty in number, very spacious, and capable of containing twenty persons each. The difference between the _palco por asientos_ and the simple _palco_ is, that in the former you can take a single place as you can a balcony-stall at the opera. The boxes of the _Reina Gobernadora y de la Innocente Isabel_ are decorated with silk hangings and closed by curtains. Next to them is the box of the _ayuntamiento_ (municipal authorities), who preside over the sports, and whose duty it is to settle any dispute that may arise. The circus, thus arranged, contains twelve thousand spectators, all seated at their ease, and enjoying a clear view of everything going forward,--a most indispensable condition in an amusement that is purely ocular. The immense building is always full; and those who are unable to procure _plazas de sombra_ (places in the shade) prefer being broiled alive in the uncovered seats, to missing one fight. It is considered as indispensable by those persons who pride themselves on their gentility to have a box at the bull-fights in Madrid, as it is by Parisians of fashion to possess one at the Italian Opera. On issuing from the outward corridor to proceed to my place, I was seized with a sort of sudden giddiness. The circus was bathed in torrents of light, for the sun is a chandelier of a very superior description, which possesses the advantage of not spilling the oil upon those beneath, and which not even gas will supersede for some time to come. An immense humming floated like a fog of noise over the arena. On the sunny side of the building palpitated and glistened thousands of fans and little round parasols with handles made of reed. They looked like flocks of birds, of ever-varying hues attempting to fly. There was not one place empty. I can assure the reader that it is in itself a grand sight to see twelve thousand people assembled in a theatre of such a size, that heaven alone is capable of painting the ceiling with the blue which it procures from the palette of eternity.