Home Pastimes; or Tableaux Vivants

by James H. Head

How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood, When fond recollection presents them to view; The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood, And every loved spot which my infancy knew; The wide-spreading pond, and the mill that stood by it, The bridge, and the rock where the cataract fell, The cot of my fathers, the dairy house nigh it, And e'en the rude bucket which hung in the well; The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket, The moss-covered bucket, which hung in the well.

One Male and One Female Figure.

This tableau represents a young peasant girl and her lover going to the well. It is a statuary design, and, when well executed, makes a tableau of great beauty. The lady and gentleman who take part in this group must be of the same height, of slim figure, and good features; the gentleman should be without a beard. In the centre of the stage place a round pedestal one foot high, three feet in diameter, and covered with black marble paper. The gentleman's costume consists of a white coat, breeches, hose, shoes, cravat, vest, gloves, hat and collar, and a long gauze scarf, worn over the shoulder, tied at the side, the ends hanging down to the knee, the hat placed jantily on the side of the head. The lady's costume consists of a white dress, worn with but few skirts, and cut low at the top, sleeves long and flowing; a long gauze scarf worn over the shoulders, tied at the side, the ends allowed to trail on the floor; white hose, shoes, gloves, and white felt hat worn carelessly on the head; the exposed parts of both figures made as white as possible. Both stand near the centre of the pedestal, the gentleman's right hand placed across the lady's shoulder; his left hangs carelessly at the side, and grasps a white water pitcher, his right foot placed twenty inches in advance of the left, the toe of the left just touching the pedestal, and the body inclined forward slightly; his head is turned towards the lady, into whose eyes he is looking, while the countenance expresses pleasure. The lady's right hand holds a pitcher similar in shape to the one held by the gentleman. Her left is raised near her bosom, the forefinger pointed to some object in the distance. Her head is turned towards the gentleman, eyes looking into his, and countenance expressing earnestness, her feet and body in the same position as the gentleman's. The front of the stage, if covered with thin white gauze, will add to the beauty of the piece. The light should come from the left side of the stage, and be of a medium brightness. Music soft and plaintive.

THE ITALIAN FLOWER VASE.

O Attic shape! Fair attitude! With brede Of marble men and maidens overwrought With forest branches and the trodden weed; Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought, As doth eternity. Cold Pastoral! When old age shall this generation waste, Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe Than ours; a friend to man, to whom thou say'st, "Beauty is truth, truth beauty"—that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know. Keats's "Ode on a Grecian Urn."

Three Female Figures.

This exquisite statue tableau represents a beautiful vase, the sides of which are ornamented with statues, personifying Spring, Summer, and Autumn. The vase is made to revolve by machinery. Three ladies of good figure and features, and of equal height, are required, to fill out the design. Their costumes consist of long white muslin robes, worn with few under skirts, cut low at the neck, sleeves reaching to the elbow, and flowing, white hose and slippers; hair combed up from the forehead, clasped with a band of silver behind, and allowed to hang in heavy curls in the neck; a string of small wax or spar beads entwined about the top of the head, the ends trailing among the curls; a bouquet of white flowers placed on the front of the waist, and a white rose fastened to the front of the spar wreath which adorns the head; the exposed portions of the body made as white as possible.

The stage machinery is constructed in the following manner: After arranging the revolving beam beneath the stage, (described in the "[Bust of Proserpine],") the base of the vase should be fastened to the top of the shaft which protrudes through the floor, and fastened so firmly that the weight of the three females will not impede the revolutions. It must also be constructed so that it can be easily shipped and unshipped. The base is of octagon form, two feet in diameter, one foot thick, and ornamented with small scrolls around the sides, the whole to be covered with white cloth, and decorated with artificial or painted wreaths and festoons of flowers. On the top of the base there must be a box one foot high, and five inches square, fastened firmly to the main body with iron braces; this is for the insertion of the shaft of the vase, which is made of joist, four inches square, six feet in length, and painted white. The top or bowl of the vase should be made in the form of a saucer; the material used in its composition must be light; its dimensions, four feet in diameter, with a square cavity in the centre, in which to place the shaft; cover the exterior with white cloth; around the top paint a wreath of large flowers, and from the centre to the rim paint other festoons of smaller flowers four inches apart; around the cavity where the shaft enters, place three pieces of wood, made and painted to resemble large leaves, the size of which should be seven inches in length by five in width. The vase can be made in one piece, if there is sufficient room for the accommodation of so large a piece of furniture. But for a small stage it will be better to have it in three parts. The ladies stand on the base of the vase, with their backs against the shaft, the top of the head just touching the bottom of the large leaves, the head and body perfectly erect, the hands of the three clasped at the side, and holding the ends of festoons of colored flowers, eyes slightly raised, countenance calm and pleasant. The festoons must run from the hands of the statues to the shaft, fastened there, and pass down to the other hand, and so on around the three figures. The vase should revolve quite slowly, and be put in motion while the curtain is rising. Gauze before this piece will add to the effect. The light must come from the left side of the stage, and be of medium brilliancy. Music soft and plaintive.