Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/248

216 shape, with its range of seats, and nine open spaces for the spectators. There are two entrances, the passages leading from which are occupied by them; and, on the opposite side, are two other entrances, with their corresponding passages, in which the cocks that are destined to fight in the afternoon are separately kept by those who are interested in the sport. In the outer part of the circle there is a commodious stair-case, by which to ascend to the apartments and galleries above, they being twenty-nine in number, without reckoning the one occupied by the judge, and distinguished from the others by its extent and decoration.

This amusement is permitted on Sundays and festivals, and twice weekly on working days. The price of admission to the passages is one real; to the seats, two reals; and to the galleries, four. The open spaces are occupied gratis. The doors are opened at two in the afternoon, and the diversion, which commences at four, is continued until vespers. On particular days, the concourse of persons of the different classes is very considerable, but not the smallest tumult occurs among those who are in the habit of betting. The authority of the judge, who is accompanied by a party of the military, is sufficiently respected to restrain every disorder; and, as a further precaution, there are established rules for the decision of the doubtful cases.

The TENNIS-COURT, which is open to the public, affords to the spectator an agreeable hour of relaxation from his more serious pursuits, and to the player an exercise which contributes to his health. The bets which are made on either of the parties ought not to exceed a few piastres. He who risks a quantity of ounces of gold, is soon made sensible that he has