Three Female and Nine Male Figures.
This tableau is represented by twelve persons, three ladies and nine
gentlemen. They are arranged and costumed in the following manner:
Standing on a pedestal six feet high, in the centre of the stage, is a
female who personates the Goddess of Fame. Her costume consists of a
loose white dress, cut low at the top, hair done up neatly and
encircled with a wreath of white flowers; at her side, on a small
pedestal, is a plaster bust of Shakspeare, which the goddess is about
crowning with a wreath of myrtle. At each side of the large pedestal
are two others, which are two feet square and three feet high; on each
of these stands a female figure, dressed in a loose white robe, cut
low at the top, the hair flowing loosely over the shoulder, the head
encircled with a wreath of white flowers. Each holds in the right hand
a long, slender trumpet, which she is in the act of blowing; the
trumpets are pointed horizontally to the right and left; they are
three feet long, with a bell, five inches in diameter, at the end.
These can be made of card-board, and covered with silver paper. In
front of the highest pedestal there should be placed a platform six
feet long, four feet wide, and one foot high. On this, a second
platform, five feet long, two feet wide, and one foot high. Cover them
with white cloth. Kneeling on the front of the large platform are four
young men. The first one represents a sculptor. He kneels, facing the
audience, and holds a mallet and chisel in his left hand. The second
figure represents the mechanic, with his square and level. The third
represents the musician, with his harp. The fourth personates the
painter, with his pallet and brushes. Kneeling behind them, on the
small platform, are three other figures. The first is the poet, with
his roll of songs and pen; the second is the soldier, with his sword;
and the third is the historian, with a volume of history and a pen.
Behind these, and fronting the goddess, stands a figure who represents
the orator. His costume consists of a suit of black. He holds a scroll
in his left hand; his right raised in front; countenance expressing
sternness; eyes slightly raised upwards. The soldier kneels between
the poet and the historian; costume consists of a rich military dress;
arms are folded across the breast, head turned slightly to the right,
eyes cast upward, the face expressing firmness. The poet is costumed
in a dark coat, light vest, knee breeches, white hose, low shoes, knee
and shoe buckles, lace collar and wristbands. Position is facing the
front corner of the stage. Eyes are fixed on the paper before him;
face expresses pleasure. On the other side of the soldier kneels the
historian. His costume, position, and expression of countenance, the
same as the poet. The sculptor kneels on the low platform. He faces
the corner of the stage, and casts his eyes upward. Costume consists
of a dark coat, white vest, dark breeches, white hose, shoe and knee
buckles, a low, flat cap set jantily on one side of the head, and a
velvet cape thrown over the left shoulder. The painter kneels on the
other end of the platform, and faces the right front corner of the
stage. Costume, position, and expression, the same as the sculptor.
Between these two, kneel the mechanic and musician. The former looks
straight forward. Costume consists of dark coat, light vest, dark
breeches and hose, low shoes, knee and shoe buckles. The musician
takes a similar position, and holds a harp, on which he is about to
play. His head is thrown back, and his eyes are raised upward. Costume
consists of a dark coat and breeches, bright-colored vest, black hose,
low shoes, knee and shoe buckles. Expression of the face, pleasant.
The light must be of medium quantity, and come from the right hand
side. Those lights near the front should be stronger than the others.
Music soft and plaintive.