138 PRIVATE THEATRICALS. [Cuar. VIII. 
the greatest difficulty in understanding what was 
said to us, was not of much use. Having at last 
fixed upon a particular piece for the evening’s en- 
tertainment, we were all led into the theatre. The 
room was large and nearly square, having a plat- 
form at the upper end for the actors and band, and 
one of the sides being only separated from an open 
lane by a railing, so that the public might also have 
a view of the play. The centre of the room was 
completely filled with guests, and from the roof 
hung a number of lanterns in the Chinese style. 
As it was early in the afternoon when the play com- 
menced, the lanterns were not lighted and the piece 
went on in daylight, the Chinese actors not ex- 
cluding it as we do in our theatres in England. 
The play began with some pantomime-like feats, 
such as we see in English theatres at Christmas. 
This was succeeded by something which appeared 
to be very pathetic, judging from the language and 
gestures of the performers. All was gone through 
in a kind of opera style, the actors singing their 
parts with false voices. The feats of tumbling 
which were now and then performed were extremely 
dexterous and clever, and attracted our notice more 
than any thing else, probably because they were best 
understood. 
The dresses of the actors were superb, and must 
have cost a large sum of money. There were no 
females amongst them, as it is not customary for 
them to act; but their places were supplied by men 
or boys, chosen from amongst those who are most 
