2-982-071 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Throwing Bulls at Seville before the Prince of Wales, from a sketch by our special artist, 1876. '... several gentlemen and noblemen...were dressed in the picturesque national costume of black short and tight-fitting jackets...with a little round velveteen hat, and were armed with a stout lance... Two or three of [them], with their lances shouldered, were galloping close behind the bull, when one...suddenly gave spurs to his horse and crossed over behind the bull, with his lance firmly under his right arm. He drove the small point into the bull's back...In an instant the strong animal was thrown on his side...The practical use of this performance is to stop any cattle from running away when they are driven in large droves across country...In selecting the animals also for bullfights this 'throwing' is used for a test, as the bull which turns on the rider directly he is up again is considered the most fit for that amusement".' From "Illustrated London News", 1876.