A CIRCUS AT PEKIN.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 55, 5 March 1904, Page 14

A CIRCUS AT PEKIN.

A Stale circus performance was lately given before the Dowager EmprehS of Chin. i, and a member of the trohpe (Mr. J. P. Schooner, dewiiboa the curious event in the Japan Times. vNitie'n (Jircus was conduct i'd to tho mimrnur palace with much reiemony, Imperial guardn lining Iho loute, and one of tho Royal houses \wis placed at its disposal. A huge lent was elected near the large lake, and two little yellow-painted booths wore built for her Majeoly and .suite. As soon ius all the preparations weie completed, the Royal party came from the palace in tho Imperial feteam launch. The narrator .states that the Empress was escorted by bevenil large barges, splendidly decorated, with Impend! guards, and a small gioup of handsomely udoiucd Chinese ladies, highly painted, with head K ear of the most elaborate designs, adorned with pink, yellow, and pale blue flowers, and we.umg peat Is and beads of different hues. The linpciial party ai rived a.l 4 p.m., the Empress being carried to her booth in a sedan chair lroin tho. lauding. Arrived at the booth, her Majesty comfortably seated herself on a couch plueed iv the contie of the booth. Tho Emperor took his station, just outside the doorway to the left, and the ladicviri-waiting stationing themselves on cither sido of the Empiess. Tho high officials, about twenty in number, stood somii to the right and some to iho left, and about 400 soldiers filled in Ihe space where tho gallery usually is. The Empress, after receiving a lighted cigarette horn one of the ladies-in-wait-ing, requested that the performance be commenced. Mr. Chatre, accompanied by the circus staff, advanced into the arena and after saluting her Majesty in royal Indian fashion, according to the native custom when visiting a Royal head, he presented her Majesty with a diamond ring, sob with seven largo diamonds, a Cashmere shawl, highly embroidered with threads of gold in elaborate Indian designs, and he also presented " the baby , elephant, livo years old. The gifts were all graciously accepted by the Empress, and the performance commenced. Viceroy Yuan Snib-kai's band and Sir Robeit Hart's band were in attendance, rendering first-class music for the performance. liar Majesty m\'u» very much inteiosted in the balancing acts, as well as the in ditirubbcr babies, constantly directing her binoculais, which wero inlaid in solid gold, at tho performers. After tho conclusion of t!/> performance Mr. Chatre expressed his thanks, and said that he was highly honoured by being ablo to show his circus before her Imperial Majesty. Thus speech being interpreted, her Majesty ordered in the tiger cngo. She showed great intcresb whilo examining this animal. After the removal of this cage the lion cage was brought in ; but this did not interest her Majesty ho much as the tiger. On her way hack to the Imperial launch she beckoned to one. of tno dwarf clowns and minutely examined him, showing much curiosity, and asking his ago, nationality, and whether he liked Pckin. Tho second and third performances wero very much like the first, being attended by the same persons. Her Majesty the Kmprefw, through tho Commander Chi Hsinglinc; awl her minister, presented Mr. Cli.it ro with 10,000 taels as a reward for his entertainment, besides paying him $2000 for expenses during his stay at tho place. She pto.suntod the acrobatic members of the troupe with silver nwdals bearing the Imperial dragon enamelled on each. Tho female and tho two dwarf clowns received each a handsome rolls «f silk cloth.