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CHINESE PLAY AND AUDIENCE. Chap. XVII. 



an old curiosity-sllop hard by, where I would see 

 some fine things such as I wanted. Without sus- 

 pecting anything, I desired him to lead the way, 

 and I followed him. To my surprise, and I must 

 confess to my amusement too, for I was in a 

 capital humour, I found myself in a few minutes 

 ushered into the temple square, where two or three 

 thousand heads were gaping intently up to a plat- 

 form covered with actors, who were in the midst 

 of what appeared to he a most interesting melo- 

 drama, judging from the effect it had upon the 

 audience. I saw at once I had been duped, and, 

 looking for my guide and conductor, found that he 

 had disappeared, no doubt fully satisfied with the 

 part he had played. My part was now to enjoy 

 the joke and take it in good part, which I did not 

 fail to do. I was now pressed on all hands for 

 my opinion of the merit of the performance, which 

 I declared was inimitable. Nor was there any 

 flattery intended in this expression of opinion, for 

 I doubt much if such a performance could have 

 been got up out of the Celestial Empire. 



It was some time before a large portion of the 

 crowd found out that a foreigner was amongst 

 them, so intent were they upon the performance, 

 and longer still before the eyes of the actors saw 

 me. By degrees, however, the news spread, and 

 all eyes were turned from the stage to where I 

 was standing. At first the actors seemed surprised 

 at the want of that attention to which they had 

 been accustomed, then they discovered the cause, 



