Ten Female and Thirty-two Male Figures.
"Saturday, 31st Oct.
"Left Newburyport a little after eight o'clock, (first breakfasting
with Mr. Dalton,) and to avoid a wider ferry, more inconvenient boats,
and a piece of heavy sand, we crossed the river at Salisbury, two
miles above, and in three miles came to the line which divides the
State of Massachusetts from that of New Hampshire. Here I took leave
of Mr. Dalton and many other private gentlemen, also of General
Titcomb, who had met me on the line between Middlesex and Essex
counties, corps of light horse, and many officers of militia, and was
received by the president of the State of New Hampshire, the vice
president, some of the council, Messrs. Langdon and Wingate of the
Senate, Colonel Parker, marshal of the state, and many other
respectable characters, besides several troops of well-clothed horse,
in handsome uniforms, and many officers of the militia, also in
handsome white and red uniforms of the manufacture of the state. With
this cavalcade we proceeded, and arrived before three o'clock at
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where we were received with every token of
respect and appearance of cordiality, under a discharge of artillery.
The streets, doors, and windows were thronged with the populace.
Alighting at the town house, odes were sung and played in honor of the
president."--_Washington's Private Diary._
"A visit from a person so distinguished and beloved, had he come
without the insignia of office, would have created no little
enthusiasm; but a visit from its president, when the young republic
had been organized scarcely half a year, occasioned to the community a
thrill of ecstasy which vibrated through every heart--an outburst of
joy due from a grateful populace to one to whose skill and superior
virtues they owed their happiness. There was a mixture of novelty, of
joy, of patriotic enthusiasm, felt by every heart. A committee of
twelve was appointed in town-meeting to superintend the reception. The
president left his carriage at Greenland, at the residence of Colonel
Tobias Lear, and mounted his favorite white horse; he was there met by
Colonel Wentworth's troop, and on Portsmouth plains the president was
saluted by Major General Cilly, and other officers in attendance. From
the west end of the State House, on both sides of Congress Street, and
into Middle Street, the citizens and military were arranged in lines,
and on the east side of the parade ground were the children of the
schools, dressed appropriately for the occasion. The president at the
entrance received a federal salute from the three companies of
artillery under Colonel Hackett. The streets through which he passed
were lined with citizens; the bells rang a joyful peal, and repeated
shouts from grateful thousands hailed him welcome to the metropolis of
New Hampshire."--_Brewster's Rambles._
This national tableau contains forty-two figures: Washington, sixteen
soldiers, ten young ladies, six citizens, and nine school children.
The number can be made less if there is not sufficient room on the
stage. The stage scenery consists of the following articles: A
fac-simile of the white horse, which is to be made in the following
manner: With a tape measure and rule take the dimensions of a
small-sized horse; let your carpenter make a skeleton horse according
to your dimensions, of wood, as strong and light as possible; then
take curled hair or hay and fill out the frame so that it will look
symmetrical, using twine to bind on the material used. It will be a
good plan to have an engraving of a horse to look at, so that you will
more easily arrive at the proportions of the body. The right foot of
the horse must be raised. After you have satisfied yourself in regard
to the form of the animal, take cheap cotton cloth and sew over all
parts of his body. Cover this with three coats of white paint, and
sprinkle slightly with black. The eyes can be imitated by using the
bottom of a small black glass bottle; the ears should be made of
leather; the mouth and nostrils can be painted; make the mane and tail
of flax or hemp. Insert the feet into a heavy plank, and decorate him
with a showy military saddle and bridle. A triumphal arch, made in
three parts, of wood, covered with green cambric, and decorated with
flowers, will also be wanted.
Washington's costume consists of a black velvet continental coat, buff
vest, white hose, shoes, knee and shoe buckles, white cravat, ruffled
bosom, black chapeau, sash, epaulets, side arms, and white wig. The
military are dressed in blue coats trimmed with buff, white pants,
chapeau, cross and waist belts, swords and muskets; officers in as
showy uniforms as can be procured. The ladies should be of various
sizes, and costumed in white dress, red sash, and wreaths of myrtle on
the head; each should hold a garland, bouquet, or small basket of
flowers. Citizens' costume consists of black coat and breeches, light
vest, chapeau, white hose, shoe and knee buckles; children in dark
jackets, white pants, dark caps, with a wreath of evergreen worn over
the shoulders. Washington is seated on his horse, the left hand
grasping the reins and whip, while the right holds his chapeau. He
leans forward slightly, and is looking to the ladies, who are strewing
his path with flowers. His face is lighted with smiles of pleasure as
he beholds the crowds of delighted people who are seen on every side.
On each side of the horse, and in the foreground, the young ladies are
placed. They are in kneeling positions, and extend their flowers
towards Washington; their faces are turned upward, and are suffused
with smiles. The military are placed on the extreme right and left of
the stage, the head of each platoon commencing at the front of the
stage, and extending into the background. As they recede in the
distance they must have a higher position, so that every one will be
seen. They should turn the head a trifle towards the audience, and
present arms. The citizens, placed on raised platforms, take positions
behind the horse. They hold their hats in the left hand, and look at
Washington. The children stand in a line in the background of the
picture. They must be placed on high platforms, so that they may be
seen distinctly. They look straight forward, with the right hand
placed at the side of the cap. The triumphal arch is to be erected
directly over the head of Washington; it should not be very heavy, as
it is necessary to have as much of the space occupied by the
characters as is possible. The horse and arch must be first brought
on the stage, then the military, next Washington, and the ladies, then
the children and citizens will take their positions. All the light
that can be produced in front, and facing Washington, must be used.
The booming of cannon, ringing of bells, and the loud hurrah of the
populace should be heard in the distance. "Hail Columbia" would be the
appropriate music for the piano-forte or melodeon.