New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-05-21
Curious Chinese Dramatic Entertainment.

The most curious ent. rtainment which has been
given in this City presented last night at NibJs Thea
ter complete Chinese Company, from the Celestial n
pire via California performed representing religious and
other ceremonies, dramatic episodes. &c. The whole
sar was souttery derentfrom any thing hitherto offered
on our boards that shall hardly attempt TO describe it,
but adyise every one who would not seek TO be ignorant
some Of the salient points Of the most ancient aud pc
cusr people in the world go and and hear it, Ac
cording 70 play bill il forms living history Of China
oows: Part Ito commence with the imposing rei yous
ceremony, Invocation TO Toss MuchOng. wong, K,ng
Kings 10 numn, Queen Of Heaven Ten How. Lady Of
Light suppcsng benediction and blessing for future vel
are in the United States Grand feast and presentation to
the God and Goddesses Of the Beasts Birds and Fishes
from the Throne of the Imperial Dragon Part l-Gfand
Marriage Ceremony OF the Emperor and train
uvelipg Of the bride Part III-Japanese Tumbler &c
The whole reminded US Of splendid gded boxes gal
vanized into moton-ihe figures so grotesque pomP
Gus and that indescrbsbe compound Of cultivation and
barbarism which distin gushes the great Empire. The
drtss are gorgeous the lat degree All that silk Grape
eoldtssue-he oumulated spendors Of Chinese taste
could conceive Haunted the stage This alone would
fully repay visit TO the theater
eoed range of lofty steps covering all the stage
mounted by Chinese nondescrpt and rows Of chairs
the chief scene of operations The different characters
came with glorious pomposiy and exchanged or chun
eehode it in front Of the platform and then assembled the
platform Sometimes spoke alone, netimes sever H.
The same words Chinese musc-was rendered by sticks
beaten together cymbas bowed insrums nj played
viol or violin sounding Ike bag pipe and using the Scotch
scale technically the black notes OF the pianOorte batting
various discordsDces.
The singing and playing were like a compound of dis
trssed cats old pump handle INCREASED lrt wheels
puker on tin kitchen and the spiritual rappers in
Mon with the internal regions How people who have
designed musical scale and arrived at thu plus
ultra Of bowed instrument unknown TO the clssicswho
have beside musical notation, grind shrek sqled
bawl snort snuhle, SWIVEL, drivel draw, squaWl howl
erunt q oar in such manner and call il music grel
mJstry Chinese feminine feet halloEed pig tails,
blood reatiousl Up with the and planets.
The tumbers sufficiently active and the somsrsets
doubtless revolving from the remoest antiquity would do
credit to modern performers.
To see these evidences Of Chinese life sets to
lyse the things Of daily e home and wonder cere
monials civil military and religious, not ridiculous
What from this barren being 90 reap
ON senses az rsl-
Life short oil things hed in customs fa scale
Thee poor Chinese deserve specially g4od reception
AT our HANDS They have aloDg long distance They
tel as Of y grandeur Of empire, 81 the magnet
zg Effects 0f California Of the op-nng glories of the
Pacific They are fully up To the mark in all they do l.
u ~ were any wise different they would 10 he genu
me as they the mir or Of Chinese life,
existed four ihouss nd years ago. IL cert nly priv
hge he brought into communion with the distant and
lit pat by such attractive means