Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/172

 156 LIFE IN JAVA.

quently so much ease and gracefulness in their movements, that they might have vied with those of a London or Parisan corps de ballet. One of their movements struck us as very extraordinary, though scarcely characterized by the same chore- graphic grace which we had observed in their other movements. This was the curious manner in which they sometimes protruded the inner joint of the elbow, turning their hands backw^ards in a curve, until the middle finger touched the wrist, a position which had more the a})]iearance of a deformity than of aught graceful or beautiful.

Four boys, dressed as Chinese mandarins, per- formed the next dance, which had a warlike signi- fication. Each was accompanied by an esquire, carrying the weapons, &c., he was to use in the sham fight in Avhich he was to engage during the dance. A bamboo clarionet was the instrument whose martial notes excited the mimic warriors, who, under the weight of the padded clothing

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