A Reuter message from Madrid states that the Society for
the Protection of Animals in Spain has secured the abolition of the picador turn at bull-fights. Aecording to the Society's paper, Noliciero del Lunes, a decree is to be issued at once forbidding the killing of horses at theSe performances. Let us hope that the statement is not • premature. Eighteen years ago I attended my first and last bullAght on Easter Sunday at Seville, one of the red letter occasions of the Spanish bull-ring. TO this day I recall the blast of trumpets, the brilliant sunshine, the glare of the arena, the serried rows of spectators below our box, the picturesque dresses, and the shawls of the women and the general excitement, but the principal impression was disgust. No picturesque and mediaeval trappings, no glamour could make up for the horrible spectacle of the butchery of the horses. On the programme, if my memory serves me -right, several- horses were provided for each bull. The wretched broken- down nags were placed by the picadors in a broadside-on • position, for the bull to charge at. Half the joy of a holiday in Spain was spoilt by the thought that the end of many of the horses seen in the streets would be the bull ring: If the picador is to be banned there will be no shedding of tears. * * * *
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