Home Pastimes; or Tableaux Vivants Part 11

THE BRIDAL PRAYER.

Sweet be her dreams, the fair, the young; Grace, Beauty, breathe upon her; Music, haunt thou about her tongue; Life, fill her path with honor.

All golden thoughts, all wealth of days, Truth, friends.h.i.+p, love, surround her; So may she smile, till life be closed, And angel bands have crowned her.

BARRY CORNWALL.

One Female Figure.

This simple, yet pretty tableau represents a young maiden dressed in bridal costume, kneeling in prayer in her chamber, preparatory to her descent to the room below, where she is to enter into the holy bonds of matrimony. The stage furniture consists of an ornamental chamber set, a few richly-bound books, pictures, and other articles pertaining to a chamber. The young lady should be of good figure and features.

Costume consists of a white dress, low in the neck, and ornamented with white flowers. The hair can be dressed to suit the performer's taste, while a wreath of myrtle and flowers encircles the head, at the back of which trails a long white veil. Position is, kneeling in the centre of the stage, so that a side view can be had of the form, the hands raised and placed together in front of the face, the head slightly thrown back, the eyes closed, and the countenance expressing devotion. Little light is required, which should come from the side of the stage. Music soft and plaintive.

THE GUITAR LESSON.

O, strike the guitar lightly, lightly; Its tones I ne'er forget; O, strike the guitar lightly; 'Tis sweet as when we met.

One Female and One Male Figure.

This simple, but pretty tableau represents a young lady at the music room of her teacher, taking a lesson on the guitar. The scene represented is a room furnished with table, chairs, carpet, vases, pictures, &c. A small sofa, or a pair of ottomans, are placed in the centre of the apartment, on which is seated a young and beautiful lady, and by her side the teacher. The lady holds in her hands a guitar, on which she is playing. Her teacher holds a sheet of music in the left hand, while with the right he points towards the guitar. The maiden's costume consists of a white dress, velvet waist, white flowing sleeves, waist encircled with a crimson sash; hair done up in a neat manner, and decorated with large feldspar beads. Her position is, facing the audience, head slightly turned to her teacher, eyes directed to the music, face beaming with smiles. The teacher's costume consists of black pants, white hose, reaching to the knee, with a band of colored ribbon, and wide lace attached by a large paste pin at the top, low shoes with buckles, single-breasted vest left unb.u.t.toned, showing a white s.h.i.+rt underneath. A lady's pink or red sack will on an emergency answer for a coat. A lady's velvet cape should be thrown carelessly over the shoulder. The wristbands of the s.h.i.+rt bound with wide lace, and a wide lace collar worn around the neck. The head covered with a low-crowned Kossuth hat, ornamented with a gilt band, and white plume, which is fastened to the hat with a large and brilliant paste pin. Both of these costumes can be arranged at short notice, and the tableau would be suitable for home entertainment. A guitar, played behind the scenes, will answer for the music. The light must be of medium brightness, and come from either side of the stage.

ROGER WILLIAMS PREACHING TO THE INDIANS.

"Gitche Manito the Mighty, The Great Spirit, the Creator, Sends them hither on his errand, Sends them to us with his message.

Let us welcome, then, the strangers, Hail them as our friends and brothers, And the heart's right hand of friends.h.i.+p Give them when they come to see us."

LONGFELLOW.

Two Female and Eight Male Figures.

Roger Williams was the first white man that settled in Rhode Island.

He was a clergyman, and lived in Boston; but he did not think exactly as the other clergymen of Boston, and was therefore banished from Ma.s.sachusetts. He emigrated with his family to the woods. After travelling a considerable time, he selected a beautiful spot, and built him a house. Other settlers soon came that way, and founded homes. This was the first settlement of Providence. Williams was kindly treated by the Indians, who seemed pleased at his arrival among them. Every Sabbath he would go into the village and preach to them.

The scene in this tableau represents him standing before a wigwam with his Bible in hand, explaining the Holy Scriptures to a group of savages who are gathered about him. A few spruce trees should be placed in the background of the picture, a fire kindled in the centre of the stage, which can be placed in an iron furnace, and surrounded with stones. The floor must be covered with white cloth. Logs and branches of trees should be scattered around the stage. At the left of the stage is the wigwam, formed with rough poles, covered with light-brown cloth, and ornamented with red hieroglyphics. In the background, and at each side of the stage, are seated Indians. The floor of the stage in the background should be raised one foot, on which are placed the trees; in front of the wigwam stands Roger Williams; he partially faces the audience; his left hand holds a Bible, while his right is raised upward, his eyes directed towards the Indians--countenance expressing animation. Costume consists of black coat of ancient style, black breeches, black vest, white hose, ruffled bosom, and white cravat, knee and shoe buckles, and a long white wig, ending in a cue, and tied with a black ribbon. Costume of the Indians is a short frock, made of and trimmed with a bright-colored cambric, pants of dark buff cloth, fitting tightly so as to develop the form of the leg, moccasins of red flannel, decorated with beads; a strip of card-board, covered with red flannel, and ornamented with feathers of any kind, should be worn around the head. A belt about the waist, containing tomahawk and knife, both of which can be made of wood, and painted in bright colors. A few squaws are interspersed in the scene.

Their costumes are similar to those of the men, with the addition of a bright-colored blanket thrown over the shoulders, and hair loosely flowing about the neck. The exposed portions of the bodies of the Indians are stained of the same color as the pants. The position of the figures must be varied, while all look with attention to Williams.

The scene should be lighted by a red fire, burned at the front side of the stage. Music soft and of a sacred character.

CROSSING THE LINE.

Far, far upon the sea The good s.h.i.+p speeding free, Upon the deck we gather, young and old, And view the flowing sail Swelling out before the gale, Full and round, without a wrinkle or a fold.

Ten Male Figures.

This comic tableau is a representation of a scene which often transpired on board of vessels in pa.s.sing the line. This time-honored custom of introducing to old Neptune and his suite the persons who, for the first time in their lives, cross the equinoctial line, is now nearly abolished. But until within a quarter of a century, the occasion of crossing the line was one of no little importance. It was a jubilee on board s.h.i.+p which was looked forward to with eagerness by the jolly tars who had already shaken hands with the G.o.d of the Ocean, and with fear and trembling by the youths who were about to enter for the first time the favorite dominions of the old G.o.d. The ceremonies on these occasions varied according to the character of the crew, of the commander of the vessel, or of the poor fellows about to undergo the unpleasant and dreadful process of an introduction. They were generally of a harmless and amusing character, one of which was to bring them before old Neptune, and put them through the process of shaving. The chin, and the greater part of the face, would be plastered over with a composition made of tar and train oil, laid on thickly with a large tar brush. The razor was often fabricated from a worn-out hoop, notched like a handsaw. This was drawn over the face, not in the most gentle manner. After this operation was completed, a person approached to untie the handkerchief that bandaged the eyes, and at the same moment kicked away the plank on which the victim sat, which precipitated him into the s.h.i.+p's longboat, filled with water for the occasion.--The number of figures in this tableau is ten. Neptune is the princ.i.p.al one, and is costumed in a flesh-colored coat, fitting tightly to the body, and covered with hieroglyphics in bright colors; the face painted to look hideous, and partially covered with a long, s.h.a.ggy beard; a crown on the head, made of card-board, covered with gilt paper and sh.e.l.ls; a spotted fur robe is thrown over the lower portion of the body; his right hand grasps a three-p.r.o.nged fork, while the left is stretched out to one of the sailors. His throne, on which he is seated, is made of a number of barrels placed in a row at the back of the stage, on which rests a platform, with an anchor on each side. The victim, as well as the rest of the performers, should be costumed in sailors' suits, differing in colors and styles. In the centre of the stage erect a small platform, one foot high and six feet long. On this place the person who is to be shaved. At his left stand two sailors. One holds the speaking trumpet and a s.h.i.+p's bucket; the other is in the act of pouring a bucket of water on the head of the victim; a third sailor holds in his left hand a paint brush, and brandishes the razor in his right; a little sailor boy holds a small tub, which contains the soap. Fronting the victim, kneels a sailor, holding a syringe. The remaining figures are looking on to see the sport. The countenances of all but the victim express mirth. An imitation mast and sail should be arranged at the background of the picture, the sides of the stage painted to represent ports of a vessel, and various articles that are used on board a s.h.i.+p must be scattered about the deck. Light brilliant, and come from the right side of the stage.

THE WEDDING.

Pa.s.s thou on! for the vow is said That may ne'er be broken; The trembling hand hath a blessing laid On snowy forehead and auburn braid, And the word is spoken By lips that never their word betray'd.

Pa.s.s thou on! for thy human all Is richly given, And the voice that claims its holy thrall Must be sweeter for life than music's fall, And, this side heaven, Thy lip may never that trust recall.

WILLIS.

One Female and Two Male Figures.

This tableau is a representation of the marriage ceremony, and is arranged with little trouble or expense. For a home entertainment it will be quite appropriate. The scene is a young and beautiful maiden and a fine-looking gentleman kneeling at the foot of an altar, behind which stands a priest, dressed in appropriate costume. He is performing the wedding rites. He holds in his right hand a prayer book; his left is stretched out over the kneeling couple; his eyes are raised upward, the countenance calm. The lady and gentleman kneel at the foot of the altar, partially facing each other, so that a side view is had of the body. The eyes of both are cast down; the lady's costume consists of a white dress, trimmed to suit the taste of the performer. A delicate wreath of silver leaves crowns the head, and a long white veil hangs from the back hair to the floor. The gentleman should be costumed in a black coat and pants, white vest, cravat, and gloves. The priest's costume consists of a black surplice and cowl, white cravat, and a large cross suspended from the neck. For want of a better article, a lady's black dress will answer for the surplice, and a black silk scarf, wound around the head, will answer for a cowl. The altar can be formed out of a small table, with a white cloth thrown over it, with a large Bible on the top. The light for this piece should be mellow, and come from the left side of the stage. Music soft and plaintive.

HIAWATHA SAILING.

"And thus sailed my Hiawatha Down the rus.h.i.+ng Taguamenaw-- Sailed through all its bends and windings, Sailed through all its deeps and shallows, While his friend, the strong man Kwasind, Swam the deeps, the shallows waded.

Up and down the river went they, In and out among its islands, Cleared its bed of root and sand-bar, Dragged the dead trees from its channel, Made its pa.s.sage safe and certain, Made a pathway for the people, From its springs among the mountains, To the waters of Pauwating, To the bay of Taguamenaw."

LONGFELLOW.

Two Female and Two Male Figures.

This interesting tableau represents Hiawatha and his friends sailing in his birch canoe. The arrangement of the scenery is quite simple, and when properly adjusted, makes one of the finest pictures in this series. The floor of the stage must be arranged to represent water, which can be done in the following manner: Nail strips or narrow bands of wood on each side of the stage, the front ends resting on the floor, the other ends raised to the height of one foot; at intervals of ten inches on the strips place stout nails, and to these fasten stout cord from one side of the stage to the other; across the cords place strips of light-blue cambric, allowing it to festoon from one cord to the other; fasten the cambric to the cords with pins, and paint in a careless manner the ridges to represent miniature waves; then scatter the surface with isingla.s.s in small particles. Fill up the background with scenery of a similar character, or with small spruce trees. An imitation birch canoe can be made of strips of wood, covered with cloth, painted light brown, and ornamented with bands of crimson, blue, and white paint; this should be placed in the centre of the stage, on small ways running across from one dressing room to the other, and painted the same color as the waves. Grooved pieces of wood must be fastened to each side of the canoe, so that it can be propelled across the stage on the ways, and appear to be floating on the top of the water. Ropes attached to each end, at the bottom of the boat, pa.s.sed under the waves, and roved through blocks, can be used to propel it from one side of the stage to the other. The ways should extend into the ante-rooms, so that the boat can pa.s.s entirely from the stage. Large leaves and long gra.s.ses, made of green cambric, may be placed around the edges of the water. The boat contains two Indian braves and two Indian maidens. All are dressed in costumes, which have been described in the tableau of "Hiawatha and his Bride's Return Home." Hiawatha is seated in the stern of the boat, holding a paddle in the water. The other Indian is kneeling in the bow with his bow and arrow, and in position as if firing to the sh.o.r.e. One of the maidens is looking intently over the side of the canoe, and the other is looking upward. Both should have long black hair flowing over the shoulders. The canoe should move very slow, and should be seen in motion when the curtain rises; and to have it move in a steady manner, the ropes should be attached to a windla.s.s below the stage. The scene must be illuminated by a green fire burned at the side of the stage opposite the entrance of the canoe. Music soft and plaintive.

THE VILLAGE STILE.

The village stile--and has it gone?

Supplanted by this niche of stone, So formal and so new; And worse, still worse, the elder bush, Where sang the linnet and the thrush-- Say, has that vanished too?