Home Pastimes; or Tableaux Vivants

by James H. Head

Nursed the little Hiawatha, Rocked him in his linden cradle, Bedded soft in moss and rushes, Softly bound with reindeer's sinews.

Hiawatha, Minnehaha, and Nokomis should be dressed in Indian costume, which can be cheaply made with a little ingenuity. Hiawatha's coat may be made of light brown cambric, cut frock style, and belted around the waist. The skirt should reach to the knee, and be ornamented with two rows of fringe three inches wide; one should be red, the other yellow. These fringes are also to be placed on the seams and bottom of the sleeves and around the collar; round pieces of brass should be fastened on various parts of the coat and around the belt. The leggings are made of buff cambric, fitting tightly to the legs, and ornamented at the side with red fringe. Black cloth shoes trimmed with beads are worn on the feet; the head is adorned with a gold band, in which are inserted bright-colored feathers. The belt around the waist should be made three inches wide, of red morocco, and contain a small knife and tomahawk; a quiver of arrows is fastened to the back, which can be fashioned of card-board, and covered with bright-colored paper or cloth. The exposed parts of the body should be stained a light brown, the hair brushed up to the top of the head, and confined with a band. Minnehaha's dress is of red cloth, trimmed with yellow fringe intermingled with colored beads. The waist of the dress should be of flesh-colored cloth made to fit the body very snugly. A scarf of ermine is worn over the shoulders, and tied at the left side. On the right side of the skirt is an over-skirt or side-apron, made of a darker colored crimson, and trimmed with ermine; it commences at the front of the body, and extends half way around the skirt; it is scalloped at the bottom, and ornamented with yellow fringe and beads outside of the ermine. The neck is adorned with a large necklace of white beads, while the head is encircled with a band of gold, ornamented with beads and showy plumes. The hair should be left flowing over the shoulders. The wrists are to be decorated with large gold bracelets. The leggings are to be of crimson cloth ornamented with yellow fringe, and small bands of yellow running around them at intervals of four inches. The feet are encased in shoes of black velvet studded with beads. A quiver of arrows is fastened to the back of the dress, and the exposed parts of the body stained light brown.

Nokomis has on a loose coat of brown cambric fringed with yellow, leggings of buff cambric fringed with light blue, dark shoes ornamented with beads and red binding. The hair should be black, and left to hang loose on the shoulders; a blue blanket trimmed with crimson fringe is gathered about the shoulders, and a black belt encircles the waist. The person who represents Nokomis should be of large figure and face. The features must be painted to represent old age. The scenery consists of the following articles, which should be arranged in perfect order to give the proper effect to the picture. The stage must be covered with green cloth, and should gradually rise from the fore to the background; small spruce trees can be arranged at the back and sides of the stage, with vines of flowers hanging from them. Two or three stuffed birds should be fastened to the top branches of the trees. The fire can be placed in a furnace near the wigwam, and surrounded with dried branches. The fallen tree and Nokomis' seat may be represented by artificial or natural logs. The tableau should receive the light from the right hand side, the greater portion of which should be thrown into the background. The accompanying music should be of secular and inspiring order.

DAVID PLAYING BEFORE SAUL.

Sing aloud unto God our strength, and make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Blow upon the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. For this was a statute for Israel and a law of the God of Jacob. Psalm lxxxi.

And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our Lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man who is a cunning player on a harp; and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of his servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a comely person. Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son. And David came to Saul, and stood before him; and it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand. So Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

1 Samuel xvi.

Six Female and Eight Male Figures.

This sacred tableau contains fourteen figures, and is arranged in the following manner. Saul is seen seated on the throne at the background of the picture. On each side of the throne are seated Saul's friends and servants. David is sitting in the foreground, playing on the harp. Saul's costume consists of a scarlet or purple velvet coat and breeches, white hose crossed with red bands, low shoes, a crown of velvet and gold, ornamented with precious stones, on the head, and a large cloak of velvet and ermine thrown over the shoulders. A long white beard should be fastened to the face, and a wig worn on the head. The gentlemen should be attired in long, loose coats, made of bright-colored cambric, trimmed with the same material, of other colors. The head should be covered with a red and black turban. White hose, crossed with black and red bands, breeches of showy-colored cloth, shoes covered with red flannel, and crossed with black binding, the face disguised with a long white beard, which can be made of flax. The ladies can be costumed in satin or silk dresses, the hair hanging in curls, and the person decorated with a profusion of jewelry. The person who takes the part of David should be of fair complexion, without a beard, should have long hair, and be costumed in a light, loose blue coat, reaching five inches below the knee, and gathered around the waist with a crimson belt. He should also wear blue breeches, blue hose crossed with red bands, and sandals on the feet; a turban, made of velvet, and decorated with gold, should adorn the head. The throne platform is to be two feet high and four feet square; on this is placed a large chair, with a canopy over the top, all of which must be trimmed with crimson cloth, and decorated with gold paper. On each side of the throne, place seats to accommodate twelve persons; those in front can be seated, while others, in the background, should be standing; they must assume various positions; a few may be engaged in conversation, while others are looking at David. Saul is seated on the throne, with the right hand resting on the arm of the chair, his body slightly bent forward, and eyes fixed on David. His countenance expresses pleasure. David is seated on a low ottoman in the foreground of the picture. The harp rests on the floor. Position so that a side view is had of the body. His head is thrown back; eyes cast upward; face expresses pleasure. The light for this picture should come from the front and the left side of the stage, and must be quite brilliant. The harp can be made of wood, covered with gold paper, and strung with yellow cord. The music should be of a sacred and inspiring style.