Home Pastimes; or Tableaux Vivants Part 18

MUGGINS.

Two Female Figures.

This tableau represents an oval s.h.i.+eld richly ornamented with gold, on which are fastened engine pipes, colored lanterns, trumpets, axes, fire hooks, buckets, hats, &c. These radiate from the centre, and are surrounded by a wreath of gold stars, five inches in diameter. It rests on a pedestal, and is supported on each side by female figures.

The s.h.i.+eld is seven feet high and four feet wide, the surface covered with blue cambric, with a border of crimson five inches wide, shaded with a band of gold one inch in width. The pedestal is six feet long, one foot high, and three feet wide, the surface covered with crimson cloth, with a black and gold border six inches wide, and an appropriate motto on the front in letters of gold. The young ladies who support the s.h.i.+eld must be of equal height, good figure and features. Their costume consists of a white robe cut low in the neck, skirt made to trail on the pedestal, red or black velvet waist, ornamented with gilt b.u.t.tons and lace, and fireman's hat on the head.

Their position is at the sides of the s.h.i.+eld, facing the audience; one arm is laid at full length on the top of the oval, the other hangs at the side, the hand grasping a small wreath of myrtle. The head should be slightly turned towards the s.h.i.+eld, eyes looking forward, countenance calm. The light for the tableau must be of medium brilliancy, and come from the front of the stage. Music soft.

THE SOLDIER'S FAREWELL.

I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honor more.

SIR RICHARD LOVELACE.

Three Female and Three Male Figures.

A representation of a young recruit, about to leave his country home for the first time to join the army. In the background is to be seen a cottage, with trellised vines running over the door. The young soldier is standing in front of the cottage, bidding farewell to his young bride, who stands at his side. They both face the audience. She has her right arm around his neck, and is looking into his face. The soldier rests his left arm on her shoulder, and points to the side of the stage with the right hand. His eyes are fixed on the face of his bride. Near the doorstep stands a gray-haired old man, the father of the soldier; he faces the audience, and is holding a musket, the lock of which he is examining. At the left of the soldier stands a young maiden, in a position that exhibits a side view of the body. She is looking to the two figures in front of her, and holds a sword and belt. In the doorway is seen the mother of the soldier, holding a handkerchief to her eyes. A little boy stands at the right of the door, with a tin sword fastened about his waist, a paper cap on his head, and is engaged in blowing on a tin trumpet. The cottage can be framed of wood, covered with cloth, and painted in showy colors; body of the house light brown, frames, cornice, and door green, roof red, and window panes black. The cottage stands in the centre of the stage, with the s.p.a.ce on the sides filled up with a small white fence and two spruce trees. The vines over the door can be painted on the house, or made of evergreens and flowers, and tacked to the frame. The soldier's costume consists of a continental uniform--blue coat, faced with buff, buff vest and breeches, white hose, knee and shoe buckles, low shoes, white breast belts, and chapeau. The wife is costumed in a blue dress, cut very short, and high at the top, white ap.r.o.n, white hose, small handkerchief tied about the neck, hair arranged to suit the taste of the performer. The young lady should be costumed in a white dress, green ap.r.o.n, and straw hat, hair hanging in curls, and ornamented with red ribbons. The old gentleman's costume consists of a long gray or drab coat, light vest and breeches, black hose, knee and shoe buckles, low shoes, ruffled bosom, and chapeau. The aged matron is costumed in a light brown dress, calico ap.r.o.n, white cap, black collar. The boy can be attired in any costume that has a variety of colors. Cover the floor of the stage with green bocking, and light the tableau from the left side. A tenor drum should be beaten in the ante-room while the curtain is raised.

IKE PARTINGTON'S GHOST.

Be thou a spirit of health or goblin d.a.m.ned, Bringing with thee airs from heaven or blasts from h.e.l.l, Be thy intents wicked or charitable?

Thou com'st in such a questionable shape That I will speak to thee.

SHAKSPEARE.

One Female and One Male Figure.

This tableau represents Ike seated on the top of a pump in the front yard of his mother's cottage, while the old lady is seen in the background, peeping over the fence with looks of horror and astonishment. The person who represents Ike should be of medium height and youthful looking. Costume consists of an old military coat and hat, large sword attached to a belt about the waist, light pants with red stripe, and large boots. The old lady is dressed in a cheap calico dress and white cap. The pump can be made of wood, covered with light brown cambric, the handle painted black. A rough representation of a house should be painted on cloth, and placed at the rear of the stage.

A few feet from the house, erect a low white slat fence, with a gate in the centre; a wheelbarrow, shovel, hoe, broom, and water bucket are scattered about the stage. Ike sits on the pump, and faces the audience. His head is drawn down within the coat collar, hands placed on his knees, and eyes rolled up into his head. Light the stage very little, and produce discordant sounds on a melodeon in the ante-room.

THE PEASANT FAMILY IN REPOSE.

Let not Ambition mock their useful toil, Their homely joys, and destiny obscure, Nor Grandeur hear, with a disdainful smile, The short and simple annals of the poor.

GRAY.

Two Female and Three Male Figures.

This scene represents a group of peasants resting on their journey.

The party comprises an aged couple and three children. They are seated on a gra.s.sy mound at the side of the road. The children lie in the foreground of the mound in various positions, and are asleep. The old gentleman is seated on the back side of the mound, which is higher than the front, and in such a position that a side view is had of the body. His head rests on his left hand, the elbow resting on the knee; the right hand holds a cane; countenance calm. Costume consists of a long, loose blue frock, brown pants, black beaver hat, considerably worn and out of shape, white hair and beard. At the side of the old man, on the lower part of the mound, is seated the old lady. She faces the audience, and leans her head on her right hand, the elbow placed on the knee, eyes directed to the children, countenance expressing deep thought. Costume consists of a brown dress, white handkerchief tied about the neck, and a hood on the head. In front of these figures is a young girl, her back resting against the highest part of the mound, the head inclined to one side, one arm placed across the form of a boy at her side, her eyes closed. She is dressed in a white robe, blue ap.r.o.n, and stout shoes, head uncovered. A small boy reclines at her side, and rests his head on her lap. Costume consists of a red frock, trimmed with white. In front of these two figures is a large boy. He lies on the gra.s.s, and rests his head on his arm; his eyes are closed, countenance calm. He is costumed in a dark coat, light pants, white collar, thick boots, and felt hat. The mound on which the tableau is formed can be constructed of boxes, and covered with green bocking. It should be six feet in diameter, varying from one to two feet in height, and placed in the centre of the stage. The scene will require but a small quant.i.ty of light, which must come from the right side of the stage. Music soft and of a plaintive character.

THE SOLDIER'S RETURN.

O that 'twere possible, After long grief and pain, To find the arms of my true love Round me once again.

We stood tranced in long embraces Mixed with kisses sweeter, sweeter Than any thing on earth.

MAUD.

Three Female and Four Male Figures.

This interesting tableau is designed to appear in connection with the soldier's farewell, and is represented by seven persons. The cottage and other scenery described in the "Soldier's Farewell" is used in this piece, and is to be placed in the same position. At the left of the stage, near the front, stands a young gentleman dressed as a hackman. He carries a trunk on his shoulder, and a valise in his left hand; his position is such that a side view is had of the features; his eyes cast down to the floor, body slightly bent forward; a few paces in front of him stands the young soldier, with arms outstretched to receive his wife, who is standing in front of the doorstep, in the act of running towards him. The soldier shows a side view of his form, his feet extended apart, body bent forward, eyes fixed on his wife, countenance smiling. The wife faces the audience; her arms are raised, eyes directed to those of her husband, countenance pleasant. The father and mother of the soldier are seated in large chairs at the sides of the door. A young man is seen climbing over the fence. He holds a rake in his hand, and is looking at the soldier. A young lady is on the doorstep in the position of one running, her eyes fixed on the group at the front of the stage, countenance expressing surprise.

Costume similar to the one described in the Farewell. The boy's costume consists of blue overalls, white s.h.i.+rt, and straw hat. The old lady and gentleman wear the suits described in the first scene. The old gentleman has a pair of crutches by his side, and is smoking a pipe. The old lady wears spectacles, and holds a newspaper in the left hand, and points to the soldier with the right; her eyes are turned to her husband, countenance expressing surprise. The soldier's wife has on a white dress with a velvet waist. The soldier is costumed in the suit that we described in the Farewell, with the addition of a red sash about the waist, gold epaulets on the shoulders, and a showy plume in his hat. The hackman's costume consists of a rubber coat and cap, long boots, and light pants. The scene requires a medium light, which should come from the side opposite the soldier. Music of a cheerful and lively style.

NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.

FOR PREPARING A BRILLIANT RED FIRE.

Weigh five ounces of dry nitrate of strontia, one ounce and a half of finely-powdered sulphur, five drams of chlorate of potash, and four drams of sulphuret of antimony. Powder the sulphuret of antimony and chlorate of potash separately in a mortar, and mix them on paper; after which add them to the other ingredients, previously powdered and mixed. For use, mix with a portion of the powder a small quant.i.ty of spirits of wine, in a tin pan resembling a cheese-toaster; light the mixture, and it will shed a rich crimson hue. When the fire burns dim and badly, a very small quant.i.ty of finely-powdered charcoal or lamp-black will revive it. This light is used in finale scenes, where the subject is heroic, national, or martial.

GREEN FIRE.

A beautiful green fire may be thus made: Take of flour of sulphur, thirteen parts; nitrate of baryta, seventy-seven; oxy-muriate of pota.s.sa, five; metallic a.r.s.enic, two; and charcoal, three. Let the nitrate of baryta be well dried and powdered; then add to it the other ingredients, all finely pulverized, and exceedingly well mixed and rubbed together. Place a portion of the composition on a small tin pan having a polished reflector fitted to one side, and set fire to it, when a splendid green illumination will be the result. By adding a little calamine, it will burn more slowly.

PURPLE FIRE.

A purple fire is produced by dissolving chloride of lithium in spirits of wine, and when lighted it will burn with a purple flame.

WHITISH-BLUE FIRE.

Take of nitrate of baryta, twenty-seven parts, by weight; of sulphur, thirteen; of chloride of pota.s.sa, five; of realgar, two; and of charcoal three parts. Incorporate them completely, and when inflamed they will emit a whitish-blue light, accompanied by much smoke. This light is much used in fairy scenes.

YELLOW FIRE.