The Lamar register., 1893-09-30

The dancers mental faculties are
now completely stupefied But he
continues to oance rs vigorously as
ever to the beating of the drums The
manager brings out cactus Leaf Re
lets the audience examine II. II il
covered with hne, sharp needles. Then
he gives it to the chief. The chief
advances to the center of the stage,
kneeis and holds out the leaf to the
dancer This is the first object that
Is able to attract the attention of the
stupetied man. He falls upon his
hands and knees like beast and ap-
proaches. One cannot easily conceive
anything more repulsive than this
The chief kneels with an immovable
face, holding out the cactus leaf. The
dancer is on his hands and knees be-
fore him. HIS face is no longer ex-
pressionle's, but is now like that of a
hungry wild beast He leaps around
like least and utters cries like
beast. He keeps his eyes fixed on the
cactus leaf, as h lion would look at
piece of fresh beef The old negress
and the two women at the side of the
stage regard him critically. The
o her men take no notice apparently,
but thump their drums. AT intervals
the wailing sh-iek behind the scene is
heard.
At length the man springs forward
and bites piece out of the cactus
Leaf lie chews up needles and all
with all the ferocity of an animal, and
growls like an animal TO signify his
pleasure. He takes another and an
other bite out of the leaf. until the
chief resumes his seat. taking the re-
mainder OF the leaf with him. Then
the men beat the drums as fast as they
can. The dancer springs erect, rushes
TO the dish and inhales the narcotic
again His face becomes rigid once
more and he dances with redoubled
yigor. This lasts two or three minutes
Then the dancer runs up to the chief,
kisses his turban and throws himself
almost lifeleSs on the sofa He will
revive IN eight or ten minutes, but for
two or three hours he will look weak
and exhausted
II Is u relief to go from the Algerian
to the Javauese theater. You can see
the performers at the latter in the
daytime II you wish to do so. The
Javanesc do not need the darkness
and strange noises They have moth
ing repulsiye to exhibit Their theater
Is cool and pleasant 1t is built oi
bamboo, open partly at the side for
the breezes to come in. There is
plenty of light. The Javunese them
selves are amiablc little people. Tney
molest not ody and seem to think that
life was made to be enjoyed. They
have famous priest with tn IN. The
Javauese girls dance with their hands
that is the use of the hands is the
most striking fea ure of the perform
anee- Their hands are very small,
al he
Javancse girl advances slowly upon
the stage. There is nothing violent
in her dance at any time Her should
ers arc bare, aBd often her feet are.
too. Her Carmen, are of many colors.
Brilliant sashes are wound around her
waist and the ends fall below her
knees Her hands are extended in
front OF her, with the palms towards
the audience. Her body sways with
the music II is really very pleasant
to hear the Javanese orchestra. L,
contains none OF the harsh and bar
barir sounds that one hears in the
music at most OF the other villages.
II is as gentle and soothing as rip
pling water. and is fit accompani-
ment for the slender little woman be-
fore you
The dancer takes a step forward and
then sways again with the music,
she turns the back of her hand
towards you She raises 1t higher,
and then she lets IL drop by her side.
She advances two or three steps more,
bringing her feet down in n manner
that might be forcible in larger
woman. She seizes one of the end~ of
her bright sash, and with quick
little motion fips IL over her arm.
Thi, is perhaps the most violent
gesture she makes during the course
OF her dance. Through it all the hand
is kept prominent When it is no,
dropped by her side to raise the end
Of her sash it is held between her and
the audience. II is twinlSling little
brown palm, which she moves rapidly
sometimes. then slowly, bat always
keeps in view.
Thus she moves around the stage
gesturing with her hands, and play
ing with the end of her sash. There
is no dancing, in the western sense oi
the term, merely posturing, but it i: