Page:Appleton's Guide to Mexico.djvu/153

Rh June 21. Capture of Mexico in 1867. June 30. Anniversary of the reformation in Guatemala. July 4. Independence of the United States. July 18. Anniversary of the death of Juarez. July 20. Independence of Colombia. July 28. Independence of Peru. July 30. Death of the Curate Hidalgo. September 15. Independence of Guatemala. September 16. Independence of Mexico. November 15. Santo of the King of the Belgians.

bull-fight, or funcion de toros, is the national fiesta of Mexico, and is one of the objectionable legacies of the Spaniards. Bull-fights take place on Sunday afternoons. The best performances are at Huisachal, a suburb of the capital. They are forbidden by law within the city limits. There are bull-rings (plazas de toros) in all cities and towns. Several of the larger cities have two. The rings in Mexico are commonly of wood, and are built in the form of an amphitheatre. The seats are classified into those in the shade (sombra) and those in the sun (sol). The former are, of course, preferable, and cost more than the latter.

Most of the bull-fighters are Mexicans, but at the present time (1883) a famous Spanish maestro, named El Chiclanero, is “starring" in the Republic. Bull-fighters, or toreadores, are agile men, of rather slender build, and do not usually exceed the medium height. They seldom possess great physical strength, but are expert jumpers. They are divided