Several curtains of thin gauze, or common mosquito netting, made to let down from rollers, one after another, between the audience and the scene, will give a beautiful, misty appearance; and if a sufficient number of curtains be unrolled, the tableau appears to vanish entirely, allowing room for a change of scenery. Many scenes should have one thickness of muslin before them, which serves to blend the colors, and gives a finish to the picture. The gauze must be carefully managed, as the disclosure of a ragged edge will dispel all the illusion.
TO PRODUCE SOUNDS LIKE FALLING RAIN.
Procure a box six feet long, one foot wide, and one deep. Cover the bottom with small pegs of wood one inch high, and inserted two inches apart. Place a quart of dried peas at one end of the box; then raise that end quite slowly, allowing the peas to roll gradually down to the lower part of the box. The sound they produce in striking against the pegs imitates to perfection the falling of rain. The sound can be continued for any length of time by raising alternately each end of the box.
TO PRODUCE SOUNDS LIKE DISTANT FIRING OF ARTILLERY.
Suspend a large sheet of Russia iron by means of a rope, and strike it in the centre with a heavy drumstick. At a short distance, the sound resembles the booming of heavy artillery.
TO PRODUCE SOUND TO RESEMBLE THUNDER.
Hold a large sheet of Russia iron at one end and commence shaking it very slowly. It will give out a low, rumbling sound, which can be gradually increased in power. Graduate the sounds from heavy peals to the first starting point, then discontinue the shaking for a few seconds, and repeat the variety of changes as long as is necessary.
TO IMITATE THE FIRE ALARM BELL.
Suspend to a wooden frame two pieces of steel two inches square and three feet long. Select pieces that will give out different tones, and strike them alternately with an iron hammer. They will sound much clearer and louder than any small bells.