The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-08-14
RECOLLECTIONS OF CHINA.
BY MRS. CAROLINE II. BUTLER.

The Chinese have variety of amusements, de-
signed both for indoor and ou-of door recreation.
Gambling is a very common vice, but preva-
lent with the lower than with the higher class of
society in the latter it il considered very Disgrace
full On the decks Of the junks and fast boats eff the
harbor at Macao, their crews could be seen busily
engaged at cards or species of backgammon, bile
at the same time the pipe and very deleterious
liquor, distilled from rice, circulated freely They
have also many advertisements of the Signor Blitz
der Another favorite game is shuttiecock which
they play with their feet On the Prayd Grande par
ties Of seven or eight Chinsmen might be seen thus
engaged-their awkward white-soled shoes answer
ing the place Of baitledores. IL was amusing 10
with what dexterIty and zeal this game main
tanned; the shuttlecock flying in rapid succession
from TO the other Without being allowed fall
TO the ground They are alse fond Of kite flying, in
which they are very expert. These kites form
ell OF thin tough paper, of the color and shape of
different birds, and constructed that in flying they
make loud humming noise. ] have seen many
perfect limitations of the " Man Of war; bird and
the albatross, sailing in the air with an appearance
so natural that the eye could hardly distinguish
them from living birds. The Chinese are very
fond of theatrical amusements, and even at Macao
the annual expenses for the drama said 10 be
very great. The female parts usually per-
formed by men or boys. They have little or no
scenery, but are fond Of the most gorgeous and
expensive dresses. To foreigner their inventions
and stsegems are very ridiculous, and the imagina-
ton Of the spectator has as much occupation the
actor, TO make the plot coincide. In Da,iss account
OF then theatrical amusements, he says: IL gene
raj Is ordered upon an expedition TO a dis ant pro-
vince he brandishes WHIP or takes in his hand the
rens of a bride, and sirdlng three or four times
round the Stage, IN the midst Of tremendous crash
of grngs drums and trumpets, he stops short and tells
The audience phere he has arrived"
But the state of the English stage in 1888, as des-
cnbed by Sir Philip sydney, was equally destitute Of
s-enIc deception; for instance Nov you shall have
three ladies' walk to gather flowers and then we must
believe the stage to be gudsa. By aud by we have
news of a shipwreck in the place theo we are
to blame # we accept it not for rock Upon the
back OF that mes out hdeous monster with fire
and smoke and then the misere bic beholdrrs are
bound to take IT for oape; while ia the me an time
two armies fly IN, represented with four suords and
buekers, and then what hard heart will not receive it
for pitched banie?"
The c nese ire fond Of music, and have various
Instruments some Of them very singular in FORM and
anything but musical In sound. They have a spe-
cies of guitar-also the lutte. What would he the
effect, were they played alone, canno, say but sc-
companed az they usually in the street with small
gongs and drums, the most squeaking hand organ,
turned by the hand of subject Of st. Vitus would
be music in comparison.
The Portuguese population Of Macao, taking them
en- masse, far from being prepossessinp in their
appearance. There are few old families who live
in some splendor. The house Of nv friend with
on the corner Of very street leading up from
the Praya. The opposite corner was occupied by q
Portuguese family, IN whose domestic concerns |
confess soon found myself taking great interest
indeed hese scenes were quite alienation Of some
time enDui. Until nine o'clock in the morning the
Jaosies were closed, and with the exception of tho
coolies passing in and out the ego downs" the milk
ing OF the two little white goats, all around the dwell
ling was perfect stiffness. At that hour the jaiou,ies
would be thrown OPEN and tall signor, in red
night cap and gaily lowered dressing gown, would
enter and make several circuits of the large rooms
all communicating with folding doors. In the near
time the slgnora and two young gnls, apparent y
from sixteen to eighteen, accompanied by an old
oyah "a nurse) in green spectacles, would make their
appearance. Breakfast was soon served az a small
one or Two bottles of wine were placed. or these
the sgnor appeared to partske with great gusto-
Breakfast over, for little while all was confusion :;
the Sgnors, daughters, sah, and servants were all
yiens with each other to assist the hitherto nj ph-
capped gentleman to equip himself for the duties Of
the day. One run for bis coat, another brought his
hat, one held his watch, another his gloves until
finally the important event achieved and throur
the mysteries of the toilet entirely different person.
age appears. With his powdered hair and bright
crimson velvet walstcoat, on which rcposes a large
gold chain he bis arms and with all due dignity
PAGES The apartment followed by the sdmrug gaze Of
wife and daughter even the old sysh with her arms
akimbo, seems 10 say, "Ah the Sigpor hand
ONE man " Indeed nurse, he is very handsome
mani AT length sedan is brought TO the door
The great man de.cends the saiis--he disappears
within the green cursined, soft cushioned v,hcle-
the bearers In the poes, and the sedan vani.he,
around the corner