The next bull, as he sallies from the pen, is encountered by six or eight Indians with short lances, who kneel down like the front rank of a battalion to receive a cavalry charge.  One or two Indians are usually tossed; the others follow up the bull, and when he turns upon them, they drop on one knee and receive him as before.  They are seldom able to despatch him, and a matador steps forward to end his sufferings.  Some of the Indians are often much hurt:  they invariably make themselves half drunk before they enter the circus, alleging that they can fight the bull better when they see double.  Again, another bull is let into the ring for the lanzada, or trial of the lance, the handle of which is very long and strong, fixed into a wooden socket secured to the ground, and supported by an Indian torrero.  The head of the lance is a long blade of highly tempered steel; and made sharp as a razor.  Before the bull is permitted to leave the pen, he is rendered furious by a variety of torments.  When he has been sufficiently maddened, the doors are thrown open, and the animal makes a rush at the Indian, who is dressed in scarlet, and directs the lance as he kneels on the ground.  The raging bull runs at him; but he steadily points the lance, so as to receive the bull on its point.  Such is the force with which he plunges at his opponent, that the lance generally enters at the head, and breaking through skull and bones, comes out at the sides or back.  Finally, a bull with tail erect, comes bellowing and bounding in, with a man strapped on his back.  The animal jumps and capers about, making every effort to rid himself of his burthen, to the no small amusement of the spectators.  The rider at length loosens the straps, and the bull is attacked on all sides by amateurs and matadores on foot and on horseback.  When a matador has killed a bull, he bows to the government box, then to the municipality, and then all around, receiving plaudits in proportion to the skill he has shown, and the sport he has afforded.  Advancing then to the box of the municipality, he receives his reward from one of the members, who is appointed as judge on the occasion, which consists of a few dollars thrown into the arena.  When the spectators are particularly gratified by the performance, they also throw money into the ring.

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THE ANECDOTE GALLERY.

ANECDOTES OF CELEBRATED AUTHORS, FRENCH AND ITALIAN.

Crebillon’s manner of life was extremely singular.  He slept little, and lay very hard; he was always surrounded with about thirty cats and dogs; and used to smoke tobacco, to keep his room sweet against their exhalations.  Being one day asked, in a large company, which of his works he thought the best?  “I don’t know,” answered he, “which is my best production; but this (pointing to his son, who was present) is certainly my worst.”  “It is,” replied the son, with vivacity, “because no Carthusian had a hand in it,” alluding to the report that the best passages in his father’s tragedies had been written by a Carthusian friar, who was his friend.