Two Female and Two Male Figures.
This double tableau represents the idolatrous system of faith and
worship of the pagans, and by simple machinery the scene is made to
pass from the view of the audience, and we have represented the faith
and glorious emblems of Christianity. The machinery and scenery which
are used in the piece are made in the following manner: A revolving
beam should be set up under the stage, the upper end protruding
through the floor. Washers will be needed for the bottom and top, and
wooden pins, passing through the beam, will be necessary, to take hold
of to move it around. Build a circular platform ten feet in diameter;
make it strong with braces, and, if necessary, it can be made in two
parts, and fastened together with iron hooks and clamps. Cut a square
hole in the centre of the platform, corresponding with the thickness
of the beam. Then place it on the top of the beam, six inches from the
floor, secure it firmly, and make it perfectly level. Across the
centre of the platform cut small holes for the purpose of inserting
the ends of a partition which will divide the circle into two
apartments; make the partition of wood; cover one side with white
cloth, and also the floor with the same; the other side and floor with
black cloth. It should be five feet high, ten feet wide, and oval at
the top. After the tableaux are arranged on each side of the platform,
persons under the stage can revolve the whole with very little
exertion. The tableau of Christianity should be formed on the light
side, and Paganism on the dark side. By placing numbers on the
revolving beam, and corresponding numbers on the washers, the
assistant below will be able to tell when the tableau is in the right
position above. To represent Paganism, a large idol should be
constructed, and seated in the centre, and close to the black
partition. The form of the human body can be imitated by taking a suit
of old garments, stuffing them with straw, and covering them with buff
cambric, on which hieroglyphics can be painted. A large mask, with
artificial hair, and crown made of gaudy-colored cloth, will answer
for the head; a short frock of red Turkey cloth, trimmed with gold
paper, should be fastened about the lower portion of the body. The
idol should be seated on a pedestal sixteen inches high, which is
placed on a platform three feet square and eight inches high. These
are to be decorated with showy cloth or paper. Kneeling at the foot of
the pedestal are two figures, one a female, the other a male. Their
hands are clasped in front of the face, the eyes raised to the idol,
head turned, so that a side view is had of the features. The costume
of the youth consists of a loose coat, made of brown cambric, trimmed
with crimson cloth and beads; flesh-colored pants, fitting tightly to
the legs; shoes covered with showy cloth; a turban on the head, made
of strips of red and buff cloth; the face and other exposed parts of
the body stained a light brown. The young lady's costume consists of a
loose dressing gown, trimmed around the top and on the ends of the
sleeves with bands of red cloth, and gold paper cut in the form of
diamonds. The hair should hang loosely over the shoulders, and about
the head entwine a string of beads; the head is slightly turned to the
young man; the eyes directed to the idol; the face and arms stained
like the young man's. The extreme ends of the platform are occupied by
two figures costumed similar to those already described. They are
kneeling at the feet of small pedestals in such a position that a
profile view is had of the form. The pedestals should be two feet
high, and covered with bright-colored cloth. On one is a
representation of the sun, made by pasting a sheet of gold paper on
card-board, and cutting out rays around the edge. On the other
pedestal is placed a figure of the moon, with the stars radiating
around it. The moon can be made of card-board and silver paper, and
the stars of gold paper; these must be fastened to wires, and placed
ten inches from the top of the pedestals. Indian war clubs, spears,
shields, and other heathen curiosities, should be placed about the
figures. The light for this scene must be quite mild, and come from
the right hand side of the stage. Music low and of a mournful
character.