The last act in a bull fight, City of Mexico. The bull, tired out by the
attacks of the _picadores_ or pikemen, and _banderilleros_ or dart men,
whose _banderillas_ or darts are seen planted in the bull’s shoulders,
faces the _matador_, armed with the _estoque_ or sword, and carrying the
_muleta_ or red flag in his left hand, and about to deliver the death
stroke.]
What is a Mexican Bull-Fight Like?
Bull-fights are among the favorite diversions of the Spaniards. They are
usually held in an amphitheater having circular seats rising one above
another, and are attended by vast crowds who eagerly pay for admission.
The combatants, who make bull-fighting their profession, march into the
arena in procession. They are of various kinds--the _picadores_,
combatants on horseback, in the old Spanish knightly garb; the _chulos_
and _banderilleros_, combatants on foot, in gay dresses, with colored
cloaks or banners; and finally, the _matador_ (the killer).
As soon as the signal is given the bull is let into the arena. The
_picadores_, who have stationed themselves near him, commence the attack
with their lances, and the bull is thus goaded to fury. Sometimes a
horse is wounded or killed (only old, worthless animals are thus
employed), and the rider is obliged to run for his life. The _chulos_
assist the horsemen by drawing the attention of the bull with their
cloaks; and in case of danger they save themselves by leaping over the
wooden fence which surrounds the arena. The _banderilleros_ then come
into play. They try to fasten on the bull their _banderillas_--barbed
darts ornamented with colored paper, and often having squibs or crackers
attached. If they succeed, the squibs are discharged and the bull races
madly about the arena.
The _matador_ or _espada_ now comes in gravely with a naked sword and a
red flag to decoy the bull with, and aims a fatal blow at the animal.
The slaughtered bull is dragged away, and another is let out from the
stall. Several bulls are so disposed of in a single day.
What is the Difference between “Alternating” and “Direct” Current?
Strong currents of electricity are generated in the electric central
stations and supplied to our homes, street lamps and so forth, in one of
the two forms, either “alternating” or “direct.” While many of us know
which kind is furnished to our homes, everyone does not always
understand the difference between the two.
The central station contains a number of powerful dynamo machines,
driven usually by steam power. The positive and negative terminals of
the dynamo are put in connection with the positive and negative main
conductors which are to supply the district, and from these mains
smaller conductors branch off to the houses or lamps. All these
conductors are of copper, that metal when pure having seven times the
conductivity of iron.
Different methods are in use for keeping the supply of electricity
steady in spite of the varying demands made upon it. In some systems of
distribution, instead of the two main conductors being one positive and
the other negative, each is positive and negative alternately, the
reversals taking place some hundreds of times per second. The currents
are then said to be “alternating.” When such reversals do not take
place, the currents are said to be “direct.”
What was the “Court of Love”?
The “Court of Love” existed in what we call the chivalric period of the
middle ages.
It was composed of knights, poets and ladies, who discussed and gave
decisions on subtle questions of love and gallantry. The first of these
courts was probably established in Provence about the twelfth century.
They reached their highest splendor in France, under Charles VI, through
the influence of his consort, Isabella of Bavaria, whose court was
established in 1380. An attempted revival was made under Louis XIV by
Cardinal Richelieu.