112 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. VII. 
it would have required a practised eye to have detected 
the difference. 
The voices of the actors were not musical, at least 
to English ears, but the whole was in unison with the 
noisy gong, and the wind instruments like bagpipes, 
which are in common use amongst the Chinese. In fact, 
noise seemed to be the thing which produced the greatest 
effect, and we certainly had enough of it. 
I was struck by the various figures made by the actors 
on the stage, intended, no doubt, to represent something 
like those scenes or pictures which are so much studied 
in our theatres at home. A quadrant seems to be a 
great favourite, and was constantl}?- made by them in the 
different acts. They have no scenery to assist the delu- 
sion, only a simple screen, which is sometimes used to 
represent a room out of which some actor is to make his 
appearance. Fencing is much practised, and is, perhaps, 
the most curious part of these exhibitions. Each indi- 
vidual has two swords, which he swings about his head 
in the wildest manner, at the same time throwing his 
feet and legs about in a most fantastic way, as if they 
had as much to do in the business as the hands and 
arms. The exhibition or play lasted for three hours, and 
then we left the theatre and retired into another room. 
While we were there the servants were busily employed 
in re-arranging the theatre, which was now to be con- 
verted into a dining-room. 
When all was ready we were led in with great 
ceremony, and placed in the principal seats of honour. 
We had now an opportunity of seeing the extent to 
which the Chinese carry their ceremony and politeness 
