INTEPaOR OF THE HOUSE. 
245 
seats at tlie side of tlie stage, wliich represented the 
boxes. ^ 
. The body of the house was filled with a motley 
throng of delighted spectators, sitting on benches 
arranged as in the pit of our own play-houses. In 
some of the theatres, as shewn by a representation 
of one in my Japanese books, the pressure of the 
crowd in the pit is regulated in a very ingenious 
manner, the entire area being filled with a network 
of barricades, each compartment occupied by from 
four to six spectators. In this picture, moreover, 
there are boxes and galleries, and the stage is filled 
with numerous actors arrayed in gorgeous and 
fantastic costumes. 
The play was going on, and we knew not how 
long it had been “ dragging its slow length along,” 
because one play often lasts for several days, and 
several plays go on in rotation. This allows the 
spectator of any particular play opportunities for 
leaving to partake of refreshment. Smoking went 
on without intermission during the performance, 
and innumerable little cups of saki were handed 
