ly 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.

Bull fights are now daily decreasing, both in number and splendor of
appearance, from what they were in former times. Either the Spaniards are
losing their relish for such spectacles, or the scarcity of good
_picadores_ and _espades_ detracts from the interest which attaches to
them. Not long since, the _matadores_ were favorites with the public, and
were regarded with considerable interest even by their superiors. Many
singular and gallant adventures are related of them and ladies of rank. It
was a common custom, no great while ago, to throw purses of gold to the
combatants, upon the achievement of some skilful feat. But unhappily the
secret of long purses is lost, and there is but little chance of a
stranger seeing any money thrown away in Spain at the present time.

The most renowned of the Matadores were Romero and Pepe-Hillo, the author
of a treatise entitled Tauromachia. The first retired from the arena full
of honors and considerable wealth. But being desirous of obtaining for his
son a canonship, he was commanded, in order to obtain that favor from the
queen, Maria Louisa, to re-appear in the arena, on some grand festival.

Romero joyfully obeyed; but his age and feebleness were inadequate to cope
with the fearful bull, and he would certainly have been killed, had not
his friends forcibly withdrawn him from the arena.

The will, however, was taken for the deed, and his son was accordingly
made a canon. With regard to Pepe-Hillo, like a gallant general, he met
his death in the field of his exploits. On a certain occasion, contrary to
the opinion of his friends, who