At this time the annual festival was being celebrated in the temple.
Theatrical performances were being given in uninterrupted succession daily for the term of one month.

Play began at sunrise, and the curtain fell, or would have fallen if there had been a curtain, at twilight.

Day was rendered hideous by the clangour of the instruments which the blunted senses of Chinese have been misguided into believing are musical.

Already the play, or succession of plays, had continued fifteen days, and another thirteen days had yet to be endured before its completion.

Crowds occupied the temple court during the performance, while a considerable body of dead-heads witnessed the entertainment from the embankment and wall overlooking the open stage.