Home Pastimes; or Tableaux Vivants

by James H. Head

Then spoke the sovereign lady of the deep— Spoke, and the waves and whispering leaves were still: "Ever I rise before the eyes that weep, When, born from sorrow, wisdom makes the will; But few behold the shadow through the dark, And few will dare the venture of the bark." Bulwer.

One Female Figure.

This tableau is represented by one beautiful lady, whose costume consists of a flesh-colored dress, fitting tightly to the body, so as to show the form of the person. The hair hangs loosely on the shoulders and breast, and is ornamented with coral necklaces, while the neck is adorned with pearls. To represent the sea, it will be necessary to place, at intervals of two feet, (from wing to wing,) strips of wood, beginning at the floor of the stage, near the front, and rising gradually as they recede in the background, the last strip being two feet from the floor of the stage. After these have been arranged, lay strips of blue cambric across them; cover them entirely, and between the bars of wood let the cambric festoon so as to represent the appearance of waves. It will be necessary to fasten the cambric with small tacks, to keep it in position, while the ridges of the miniature waves should be painted white, to imitate foam. A trap door should be cut in the centre of the stage, and a circle cut in the centre of the cambric, to admit the body of Venus. The waves should come up three inches above the hips, fitting closely around the body. The water about the centre should be made white with foam. A platform can be arranged below the stage for the performer to stand on, and this can be made high or low, according to the height of the lady, by the use of blocks of wood. The right hand of the figure is held above the head. The left hand rests on the water. The countenance is lighted up with smiles. Small particles of isinglass scattered on the waves will make them glisten and sparkle, which will add to the effect, while a green fire, burned for twenty seconds, and then changed to red or bluish white, will give a fine shade to the scene. If the colored fires are not used, the light should come from the front. Music, soft and brilliant.

RECEPTION OF QUEEN VICTORIA AT CHERBOURG.

Sing, gladly sing! Let voice and string Our nation's guest proclaim. She comes in peace, Let discord cease, And blow the trump of Fame! Anon.

Ten Female and Twenty Male Figures.

It was in the fall of the year 1858, when the great naval arsenals, magazines, and docks, at Cherbourg, were to be inaugurated; and notwithstanding the admonition of the English press, which represented the establishment of these works as a direct menace against Great Britain, and, taken in connection with the constant increase of the French navy, a proof of ultimate hostile designs on the part of the emperor, Queen Victoria had accepted an invitation to be present on this occasion. The day appropriated for the reception of the queen had arrived. The weather was superb; the skies were blue, and the waters of the channel were calm and placid. The shores and buildings, as far as the eye could reach, were covered with cavalry, infantry, artillery, and citizens. Every bosom in this mighty throng was glowing with enthusiasm. The glittering eagles, the waving banners, the gleam of polished helmets and cuirasses, the clash of arms, the soul-stirring music from the martial bands, and the incessant bustle and activity, presented a spectacle of military splendor which has seldom been equalled. It was war's most brilliant pageant, without any aspect of horror. The frigate La Bretagne, on which the banquet was to take place, was decorated with signals and flags, and most prominent were the national ensigns of France and England. A triumphal throne was erected on the deck of the vessel, on which sat Louis Napoleon, the empress, the officers and great dignitaries of the country, interspersed with the ladies of honor. Salutes from the surrounding forts and ships of war announced the arrival of the barge containing the Queen of England, Prince Albert, and suite. They were received on board the frigate by Napoleon, amid the salvos of artillery and strains of martial music. "God save the Queen," and French national airs, were played by the bands, and the nation's guest was addressed by Napoleon, who, in proposing Victoria's health, said,—

"Facts prove that hostile passions, aided by a few unfortunate incidents, did not succeed in altering either the friendship existing between the two crowns, or the desire of the two nations to remain at peace. He entertained the sincere hope that if attempts were made to stir up the resentments and passions of another epoch, they would break to pieces on common sense. Prince Albert responded, and expressed the most friendly sentiments on behalf of the queen. He said she was happy at having an opportunity, by her presence at Cherbourg, of joining and endeavoring to strengthen as much as possible the bonds of friendship between the nations—a friendship based on mutual prosperity; and the blessing of Heaven would not be denied. He concluded by proposing a toast—The emperor and empress."

The above scene is the one we propose to represent in tableau; and to give a good effect to the piece, it will be necessary to have thirty persons. The number can be increased if there is sufficient room. The four principal characters are Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Louis Napoleon, and the Empress. In selecting the persons for these parts, it will be well to choose those who are as near like the original as possible. They should be persons of good figure, and of graceful and easy manners. The sailors and military should be composed of young lads; the rest of the performers consist of young ladies and gentlemen. The stage should be arranged in the following manner: Two tiers of seats should be arranged in a curved line from the right of the stage, at the front, to the left of the stage, in the background. The front seat is two feet, the second and back tier should be three feet, in height, with a wide platform behind, of the same height, capable of holding twenty persons. These seats should be covered with a crimson cloth, and are intended to be occupied by Napoleon's suite. In the centre of these seats should be placed a platform four feet square and two feet high; on this place the throne chairs, and build a flight of broad steps in front, covered with crimson, and decorated with gold. The throne chairs should be made as showy as possible. Common office chairs can be easily made to answer the purpose by fastening to the backs pieces of boards one foot wide and four feet high, and covering the fronts and top of the arms with pieces of board four inches wide, decorating them with red turkey cloth, and bands of gold paper. Place them close together, and insert a board decorated in the same manner between the two, and ornament the top with a canopy of Turkey cloth, trimmed with gold; on the top place a pointed gilt crown. This kind of throne can be easily put together, and will be easier to handle than one made in a more workmanlike manner. The emperor and empress should be seated in the chairs. The platform is intended for the military, while the seats should be filled with dignitaries, officers, and ladies. The empress's costume consists of a rich brocade, heavily ornamented with jewelry, gold or silver lace, and any other decoration that will be appropriate, and will add to the richness of the costume. A small crown should adorn the head, which can be made showy by using paste pins of various sizes. The emperor's costume consists of a blue velvet coat, ornamented with gold epaulets, and trimmed with gold fringe, while the right breast is adorned with the cross of the legion of honor. The breeches are of blue velvet, trimmed with silver lace and knee buckles; the remainder of the costume consists of military top boots, silk scarf of blue and red, side arms and crown. At each side of the throne there should be one body guard, fine-looking gentlemen, dressed in court costume, each holding a long halberd. The rest of the gentlemen are costumed in court dress and military suits; the ladies in as showy and rich appearing costume as can be procured. The hair should be arranged to suit the taste of the performers; the head should be adorned with a band of gold, with a colored plume in front. The seats are to be filled entirely with the ladies and gentlemen, and a few should stand at the side and on the platform; careless and graceful attitudes should be taken, and all eyes should be directed to the left of the stage, where the barge is expected to arrive. The soldiers in the background should be formed in platoon, and in such a manner that all will be visible. The muskets should be held at the shoulder. Each should be furnished with a large moustache, and should look directly forward. The performers having all taken their positions, the cannon will commence firing behind the scenes, and the curtain will rise on the first part of the tableau; after exhibiting this part twice, a piece of canvas, painted to represent water, should be spread in front of the throne, while the rest of the scenery and performers should be all ready, so that in five minutes after the first scene, the second should appear. The barge should be made five feet in length, or, rather, five feet of the barge should be seen; the remaining portion of it is presumed to extend behind the scenes. It should be built in the form of the Venetian boats, with the prow running up a foot above the gunwale, and turning over in the form of a scroll. The barge can be framed out of light strips of wood, and covered with canvas; the exterior should be painted in showy colors; the scroll can be covered with gold paper; a wreath of flowers should be painted around the edge of the gunwale; cloth, painted to represent water, should be fastened about the boat near the water line. The barge contains four sailors, Prince Albert, and Queen Victoria. The remainder of the company is imagined to be in the stern of the boat, which is invisible. The boat should be placed sideways to the audience, very near to the side wing, with the bow inclined slightly towards the throne. When the curtain rises on the scene, the emperor should be standing at the foot of the throne, about to assist the queen from the bows of the barge. The queen is standing with hands extended to receive the proffered assistance of Napoleon. Prince Albert is seated directly behind the queen, holding his chapeau in his hand. The sailors hold their oars up in the air, and look towards the audience. The queen's costume consists of a showy brocade dress, ornamented with a mantle in imitation of ermine, and showy jewelry; a crown, of English design, adorns the head. Prince Albert is costumed in a scarlet military coat, with heavy and rich decorations, gold epaulets, crimson sash, buff vest and breeches, side arms and chapeau. Sailors' costume consists of a white shirt, with blue collar and cuffs, black handkerchief about the neck, and black tarpaulin. While the curtain is up, the band should play "God save the Queen." This piece requires great quantity of light, which should come from the side where the barge is placed, and from the front.