Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-06-11
THE CHINESE At NIBLO's.

We are getting great deal OF light
upon tho character of the Celestials,
and we need it, for more than twenty
thousand of them arc our adopted
countrymcn. Il, is a matter of ma
tional importance to know exactly
what sort of people they are. what
thoy think, what they can do and
learn, whether they will assimilate
with tho general population, or re-
main among us a distinct and peculi-
ar people. whether they are likely to
acquire the vices or the virtues ofour
civilization, whether they will con-
tinue to worship Joss, or become
Christianized. We cannot say that
the performances of the Chinese COM
pany at Niblo's are very instructive
on any of these points. They are
very curious, quite incomprehenslble,
rather tedious, and, apparently, very
silly. We have seen four of their
acts, or scenes, and will briefly de-
scribe them.
A high throne, assembled by seven
steps, covered with yellow, and orna.
mcnted with gilt paper, with a table
and chairs upon its summit, and two
chairs upon each Of tho steps, was
erected at the back of The stage. The
rising Of tho curtain was announced
by spirited performance upon the
gong and bones. Two orthree priest.
ly-looking mon, with flowing robes of
rich brocadc, came in from behind q
curtain at the side, and advanced
to the footlights with the true tragic
strut, began to squeak. In minute
or two they turned round, majestical-
ly ascended the throne, and sat down
upon some of the chairs, while the
"band" was producing sounds as
much like those of Scotch bagpipe,
as one bugpipeis like another Then
a few more entered, and went through
the same performance and SO on till
every seat was occupied. Then they
all began to squeak and squa!k in
concert-the result of their united ef-
forts being noise like mingled crow,
tomcat-and camp.mceting. 1t was
hidcous. and long kept up. After a
time there were somo other ceremo-,
MES, such as prostration before the
throne, tossing some small articles
into tho air, whirling round; and,
finally, all marched out in Indian file.
This act wns called in the bill can
imposing religious ceremony" The
next scene was styled. "Grand Feast
Presentation TO the God and Goddess.
es of the Beasts of the Field, Birds
of tho Air, and Fishes of the Sea,
from the Throne of the Imperial ORA
gon." This scene resembled the first.
The performers came in, ascended
the throne, made variety of move
ments and noises, and retired in tho
same manner as before. Next came
tho Wharfage Ceremony" described
in the programme as follows:- -
"Entrancc Of the Emperor, Broth
er of the Sun and Moon, Mandarins
and Ministers, six Ladies Of State, ac.
companied by Eunuchs ofthe Eternal
Palace. Unueiling efAe Bride, Con-
sort Of Heaven; Incarnation by the
High Priest-Oat1 Of Fidelity; Bur-
ming of the Yellow Paper; Lore
Song by the beautiful Chinese Lady
(small ieet,) Foo o-Ye."
No doubt, all these fine things were
done; but the ladies and gentlemen
were dressed SO much alike, and the
company was SO numerous, and the
movements were so various and mys-
terious. that we could hardly follow
the different stages of the ceremonial.
It is a fearful thing to be married in
any country, but to go through such
a performance might we'll appal tho.
most ardent lovers. The marriage.
over, company of japanese and
Tartar tumblers displayed their ,agil-
ity. They whirled about, and cut 81
variety of most ridiculous capers, fin-i
ishing with somo rather astonishing
somerse,s. They occupied good
deal Of time in sham-fghts, but Ian.
guagc cannot describe the Stiffness of
the exhibition. The evenings enter.
tainmcnts were concluded with q
scene in a court of justice, in which
there was great deal ofsqueaking,
prostra,ing, going up andldown stairs
but all was enigmatical, as much SO
as an Italian opera without a book.
Anything more indescribable than
this Chinese exhibition we have nov.
er.bchcld. 1t must be seento be un-
derstood; and when it is seen, no one
can understand it. But all who are
interested in the ways andcustoms of
remote nations. will, of course, not
omit 10 witness for themselves, SO Gu.
rious and characteristic a display Of
orientalism.
Allthe goldinthe world might, if
melted into ingots, bc contained in q
CELLAR twonty,.f,br fect square md six