The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-08

Csisess Theatres, Lsasias Hsssss ne,s. ana
dec MeNsNs IN San Esnneasra

by day Chinatown has q peculiar. faint
aisaSreeable smell. which. in the Vicinity OF
tne market. becomes decidedly oppressive. but
~ night the essence Of all the concentrated
businesses OF this earth seems to envelop Il a.
IN cloud. Tho white explorer into this re-
sion Wall do we'll TO provide himself with some
strong perfume and . little spirits for his
stomach's sake A night excursion must be
made under the guardianship Of detectives,
Tor the sights are not to be seen till nearly mid
night. and before that hour doors are closed.
and are only opened to the police. Of whom the
| cinnamon seem to stand In mortal dread The
Chinaman's house Is certainly not his castle.
Tor at any hour the detectives will. without the
slightest Formally. rouse him from his sleep,
enter his abode. and exhibit all the be-
longings Of himself and his dodgers
10 the curious eyes OF tho visitor. A
rap at the door and the shouting OF the word
dhona lopen) suf1ice to cause the rafting OF
chains and bars and In minute the sleepy
eyed Oriental appears. While In his inmost
heart he certainly cannot welcome the inru-
sion. no hides his feelings behind an eternal
smile. and makes no protest when the bulls
| eye Is flashed in his face or his dodgers are
| abruptly shaken up and induced to show their
deathlike -looklng faces: for in the dim light
the face OF tho ordinary Chinaman. with its
tightly drawn yellow skin. prominent cheek
bones. and CLASSY eyes. looks as II the last
sleep had settled on 1t. In those under the
influence OF opium the effect is heightened as
the skin becomes an ashy gray and the eyes
| grow fllmy. The visitor has the one consola-
ton that he has not given the door opener
much trouble In making a toilet. the China
mans preparations for retiring consisting In
the extremely simple process OF kicking of
his shoes.
arti frAv xloD nj
our escort joined US. we descended into n
pawnbroker's shop in basement. Although
the hour was nearly midnight. and business
had long been suspended our detective soon
obtained entrance. Lighting one OF the candles
with which he had supplied himself. he
marched through the outer Office the only
furniture Of which was a high counter into tho
to cenR E Msse asS sbs Jay peh lrom aoSr
meas with which business Is " condaetsd ns Was
SbiebR aSs E9sh PnsaaE 81 clothing
1 int outer wrae ess Of s anO Ss
pledge. The proprietor kindly sold US some me
dagger, fans: which he said we're unredeemed
charged us only double the usual price al the
pest stores. Doubtless. rs he again sought
SUI sh,uthper ne c9nsoied himself with the thought
able ''''' """ NV 'e'" u"pr'"'-
In, order to see the actors at leisure as soon
was at the principal theatre in Jackson street
our entrance was made from an aeyway in
three floors below the stage. Our noses we're
instantly saluted with agreeable and nppetiz-
ing smells and a sudden turn brought us in
dozen cooks and assistants were busily at
work preparing the actors suppers All the
people connected with tho theatre seer. live.
and eat on the premises. Level with tho kitch-
en- an, ana also on the floor above. are tho rooms
from the stage dwell tho nrinslpnlS. Here
were introduced to Mr.; ,rob.e Ho, the chief
Tsed ama W.T. Wh9 p rooses sin salary OF 1900
pend is 5000 He is the he'll impsrs S II the
interbss,In and hsroiipSs and has decidedly
a.gersare afraid Of his being captured by rival
stage, or in two small rooms p'" which, ies
sssd han are larger h than good
share his captivity. but she looks almost old
to Ss ns h and the 9
be congratulated or commiserated. His main
E roc which contains tho shelf that serves as
and not more than seven feet high. chair.
little desk. and pile Of playbooks on another
adornments. Communicating with this room
is one much ,h smaller used az a dining room
food through hole in the wall fhe lack Of
space and the absence of what we consider the
seem to know the luxury Of bed. 4 hard
mating and a square block OF pillow OF
woven strips OF cane or straw. form their only
Twelve inches long By Ave in height and width.
Being hollow, they have slight degree Of elias
uclty but night spent on one would wear the
Three or four stems below the level of the
stage. and Immediately behind it. is a very
and wardrobe room. Here is wealth OF cos
tumc that surpasses the most extravagant
soonest Of actors Robss Of tho richest che t1 and
s2itest OF silks CLEAN with embroiderles in
sSa a%d hre and
strangest combination Of green and red. and
blue and yelIowand white. II stripes or patches;
spirits. Tho stage is very shallow. not prob
separate narrow boards do not quite touch at
the edges. and are supported only ut either end.
famed which is useful to TT the acro sS and md
lar progress Of the drama is often freely inter
eprtain though 10 newly esisbiise al theatre p
ths Latter =. r.. pmoyation has been Introduced
the musicians. who constantly regale
easR a., Sh and and at the end Of
place 10 front Of the musicians, entrances and
exits being made through little calico door at
that a Chinese play takes weeks or months in
represen tation, but the part presented each
DAY = TO great extent complete in itself; The
motive OF tho part we saw was not widely diff
ferent from that OF many an English play.
rich Mandarin has daughter who loves poor
Romeo. Papa orders Romeo never again to
come near his daughter. Romeo departs dis
consolate.. Juliet and Romeo meet and swear
that nothing shall ever, part them. Papa sur:
prises them terrific combat between Romeo a md
papa: Papu is killed: Juliet forbids hcr fathers
murderer to look upon her face again. Terrific
combats are very frequently interiected into
Chinese plays. and seem TO please tho audience.
though 1t Is the correct thing in Chinese man
ners never to applaud. When victim is sup
b0 o i 20 ,o Se dead .he Promptsr accompHnied
front OF tho body n little yellow flag, which is
supposed TO represent invisibility and pro-
tected by this emblem. the minions bear of the
corpse.
The impassabii,y Of Chinese audiences
strongly reminded me OF story the late +. 4.
Suthern used to tell Of u small Western town
whoss citizens wanted to put on great deal OF
style" A few OF them had recently visited
was not considered the correct thing to be
noisy IN DEMONSTRATIONS of approval, Sothern
played his first act and never got a laugh. A |
chill went down his back as tho conviction be- |
gan 10 force itself upon him that no was play |
I'M IN m NH ~ oil Hnua ho