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.