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"And thus sailed my Hiawatha Down the rushing 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 passage 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 isinglass 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, passed 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 pass entirely from the stage. Large leaves and long grasses, 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 shore. 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 windlass 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.
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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? Age sat upon 't when tired of straying; And children that had been a-maying; These trimmed their garlands gay; What tender partings, blissful meetings, What faint denials, fond entreatings, It witnessed in its day! |
One Female and One Male Figure.
This rustic tableau represents a young shepherd and his betrothed seated on the village stile, engaged in conversation. In the centre of the stage, a weather-worn plank should be placed, resting on artificial banks at each side, which are three feet high and four feet wide; these can be shaped out of boxes or chairs placed together in a careless manner, and covered with green bocking; at each side of the stage, near the banks, place small spruce trees, and beneath the stile build a step out of old plank, one foot high, and the length of the space between the two banks. Seated on the inner side of the stile is the young maiden. She is partially facing the audience, body slightly bent forward, right hand placed in that of the shepherd, while the left rests on a basket of flowers placed on her knee. Costume consists of a showy plaid dress, with a green waist, trimmed with purple cloth, cut in scallops; a small pink scarf worn over the shoulders, and tied at the side; a pink apron, trimmed with white; a small straw hat, bound with green ribbon, and set jantily on the head; hair done up low in the neck, and ornamented with blue and red ribbons. The eyes are cast down to the basket, the expression of the face thoughtful. The young shepherd stands on the outside of the stile, reclining carelessly against the green bank. He partially faces the audience; his eyes are directed to the opposite side of the stage, the expression of the face denoting deep thought. The right hand clasps that of the maiden, while the left hangs carelessly at the side, and grasps a shepherd's crook, which is six feet long. Costume consists of a loose, light-blue coat, bound at the bottom of the skirt and sleeves with dark blue; a belt of the same encircles the waist; white hose, low shoes covered with red cloth, knee and shoe buckles, and low-crowned hat; a straw hat, covered with brown cambric, and bound with red, will answer. If a large dog can be procured, that will remain perfectly still, place him at the feet of the shepherd. The light should be of medium brilliancy, and come from the front of either side of the stage. Music soft and of a secular order.