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 Character of amusements.—Government duty.—Cockfighting and its patrons.—The combat.—Scene in an arena.—A bull-fight.—Further anticipations.—Battle between a bull and bear.—Horrible catastrophe.—Gambling-booths.—The Fandango.—Minor amusements.

amusements of the Mexican people at the present day, are of the same character as the pastimes patronized so extensively in Spain, and some other countries of Europe, in the "good old times." The manner of conducting the sports is also similar; except that a few barbarisms, peculiar to the country, are superadded to those so carefully transmitted from European ancestors and discoverers.

Cock-fighting is a universal and favourite pastime; and the keepers of cockpits can well