Chap. VII. 
PRIVATE THEATRICALS. 
Ill 
not know a single character of the language, and had 
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 entertainment, we were 
all led into the theatre. The room was large and nearly- 
square, having a platform 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 commenced, the 
lanterns were not lighted and the piece went on in day- 
light, the Chinese actors not excluding 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 pa- 
thetic, 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 per- 
formed were extremely dexterous and clever, and at- 
tracted our notice more than anything 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 " lady-looking,'' and 
so well were their appearance and dresses arranged, that 
