The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-11-25

CELESTIAL THEATRICALs-A new feature in
Thespian entertainments has been introduced in
the interior of California 1t consists of Chinese
troupe, who are at present performing at San An
dreas. The company is composed of about 30 &C.
tors, musicians, stage attendants, &c.
At this place they have theatre of their own.
The building, says the Independent, consists of a
wooden frame 40 by loo feet, covered with canvas
It. with the scenery, fixtures, and stage furniture
was made by native artisans. Instead of foot
lights, three large earthern vases filed with celes
tial oil, and suspended upon iron brackets, il
Illuminated the stage. These were replenisbed with
functions f1uid as occasion required, by an atten
tive supe.
The musicians we're kindly placed in the rear of
the players at the opposite end of the stage, and
as far from the audience as possible. This ar
rargement was duly appreciated by the barbarian
spectators when the performance began; for, of
all diabolic sounds that ever rasped the human
tympa mum, Chinese music ia the most to be dread
ed Were 1t given US to inventa rack whereupon
to torture the auditory nerve, it would be none
other an Chinese orchestra. Eye hath not
seen, nor ear heard" of contrivance better fitted
to carry out the Calathumban idea than this
Saw fling and wood saving, the screecbing of TOM
tom and tom-cats, soften into the mellihuous
strains of an orphean Tyre compared with it.
Take you for tenor the nasal twang of a song
singing Scot for bass the braying of jackass
carving other parts with whatever of cackling,
squealng, bleating, grunting or neighing, may be
ft u in farmers barn yard, and you have the
counterpart of well executed air by q Chinese
band. Hence the grateful sense experienced by
the audience on finding the music removed to the
remotest part of the theatre. Butth racket hay
ing ceased, and the spectators having removed
their fingers from their ears, the play commenced
This consisted OF kind of history of the Chinese
Empire and character; and iinasmuch the an.
mails of this people cover q space of fifteen or
twenty thousand years, the play requires six con.
tnuous weeks for its performance.
The first scene opens with an invocation to the
Sun. in low and lugubrious strain, after which
the historic narrative proceeds. with every man
ner of grimase, got III at and gyratiop, common to
this grim and garrulous people
In dress, everything Is hideous and distorted, in
action oyerdone, and throughout the whole estab
lishment in scenery, properties and fixtures, was
that same show of rude and barbaric taste, which
marks the decorations about their temple in this
city. Truly there is but little, either in Johns
amusements or religion, worthy of admiration
Yet few as are their attractions to the white bar
bariau. the inner kingdom derive great pleasure
from witnessing these exhibitions OF the sock and
buskin From three to i've hundred of them
nightly repair to this Thespan temple to feast
their numpkin seed eyes and shake their dasky
sides over the scenes of mimic life transa cted here
friend says he is growing weaker and weaker
every day He has got so weak now that be can't
raise five dollars.
Hon. Henry A. Wise, who was In Philadelphia
Thursday night, and stopping at Jones' Hotel, was
serenaded by brass band
Hon John N. Clayton. among the last acts Of
his valuable life, gave sl0Uto needy cleTgyman an,
vhose necessities were stated IN the Philadelphia
religious papers
A Baptist church has been organized in San
Frsncisco. Caiifornia, consisting Of thirteen mem
bars. under the care of Rev J. Saxton.
Catherine Hayes has made her appearance at
I,II;sr q concerf at Her Majesty g tLsste London.
and been en- enthusiastically received. Her voice Is
mere pow erful since her tour round The world.
An Office Ii to be opened in Lawrence, Kansas,
N Give information concerning claims to emigranis
an their first arrival and to furnish agents TO 50
With them to select location
The Boston papers record the sudden deaths oi
DR. j. w. Chapman and Mr.. w. l. Wheeler.
Rev Mr.. Cummins, pastor of Trinity church, 10
Waship gtou, has declined the call to the rectorsnp
of st. Thomas Church, New xork.