As in the old days of the tournament, fair ladies smile upon and favour the bold _torero_. There are instances of the exactions of these high-born patronesses of the sport, which have resulted in death for the _espada_ who courted their approbation. It is recorded that a royal lady was so fascinated by an exceptionally agile feat performed by a _torero_ that she wished to see it repeated. The desire was conveyed to the performer. “It is more than my life is worth,” he said. “It is the wish of the lady,” returned the messenger. Bowing low, the _torero_ said: “I dedicate my life to Her Royal Highness.” Again the bull charged; but this time the unlucky athlete was caught on the horns of the beast, whence he was removed--a corpse.
It is the custom in England to speak of the _espada_ and of bull-fighters collectively as “matadors.” The word is altogether inappropriate to the sport. We hear of young gentlemen attending fancy dress balls in London, attired as “a Spanish matador,” or as a “toreador.” A bull-fighter in Spain is a _torero_ in the general sense, though the word really means one who engages the bull on foot. The performer with the sword, the most important functionary in the ring, is known as the _espada_; and the man who charges the animal on horseback, with a spear or lance as a weapon, is called a _picador_. Throwers of the darts are termed _banderilleros_; wavers of the gaudy cloaks, and the assistants of the _espadas_, are called _chulos_. These are the grades of _toreros_ in their order of precedence.
The Plaza de Toros, or bull ring, of Madrid, is a great structure designed by Capra and Rodriguez Ayuso in 1874. It is in the Moorish style of architecture, with a fine façade and an imposing entrance arch. According to one Spanish writer, the total number of seats is 12,605, but other writers give 15,000 and 14,000 as the number. Philip V. built the first bull-fighting arena in Madrid, in 1747, although he was by no means an enthusiast of the sport. The cost of the present building was 3,000,000 reales.
The seats are divided into boxes and open galleries, the boxes, or _palcos de sombra_--seats in the shade--being in the best position for watching the contests during the hot months. In early spring a seat in the sun is to be preferred, for the air of Madrid is keen at this season.