Three Female Figures.
This tableau is taken from the beautiful poem, "The Course of True
Love never did run smooth," by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, who describes in
his artistic style the bridal toilet of the princess preparatory to
her being wedded to the Vizier Giaffer. The scene represented is the
princess's chamber in the gorgeous palace of Haroun Al Raschid. The
princess is seated in the centre of the room on a crimson divan; at
her side kneels one of her attendants, who is engaged in arranging a
bracelet on her arm. Standing on the opposite side is another
attendant, who is entwining a string of pearls in the princess's hair.
The costume of the princess consists of a pink satin dress, reaching
within ten inches of the feet, and should be bound around the bottom
with silver paper covered with wide white lace. Over this dress must
be worn a frock of purple velvet extending to the knee, with flowing
sleeves reaching to the elbow; the front of the waist left open,
displaying a lace under robe, crossed with ribbons covered with silver
paper and gold spangles. The frock decorated with small crescents of
gold paper, ornamented with silver spangles. Trim the bottom of the
frock and sleeves with gold paper three inches in width, and cover
with colored lace. The waist should be encircled with a wide,
light-green sash, studded with spangles, fringed at the end with gold
paper, and tied in front, allowing the ends to hang down to the bottom
of the frock. A necklace can be made to look rich and showy by
attaching brilliant paste pins of various sizes to a black velvet
band; the centre pin being quite large, those at the sides decreasing
in size as they recede from the centre; the arms and hands profusely
ornamented with jewelry; the hair arranged in long braids, and allowed
to fall over the shoulders. A large diamond or a brilliant stone
should be attached to a black velvet band, and placed on the brow.
Turkish trousers, made of white and blue stripes, two inches wide, of
flowing shape, fastened around the ankle with a gilt band. The shoes
can be made of card-board or leather; they should turn up at the toe
three inches; cover them with red cloth, and ornament with gold and
silver paper and spangles. The costume of the attendants should be of
a similar style, but differing in colors, and without decorations. The
lady who personates the princess must be small, and of good form,
fine, regular features, and quite pretty. Her position is facing the
audience, head turned slightly to the left, eyes upturned to her
attendant, who is standing at her side, holding in her left hand a
fan; the expression of the face pleasant. The attendant who is
kneeling, shows a side view of the body, while the one standing, faces
the audience, with the body bent slightly forward, her attention
directed to the string of pearls which she is arranging in the hair of
the princess. The floor of the stage should be covered with a rich
Brussels carpet, and the walls draped with showy damask curtains. The
room may be furnished with small ottomans, two small marble top
tables, one of which should be placed near the group of ladies, and
contain stands of cologne, perfumes, mirrors, combs, brushes,
pin-cushions, and cases of jewelry. On the other table, which is to be
placed in the background, is a large, showy lamp, with colored globe,
surrounded by ornamental articles; showy pictures adapted to the
subject, in rich gilt frames, adorn the walls; cages containing
singing birds should be suspended from the ceilings; large globes,
containing gold fish, rest on the carpet, near the foreground; richly
ornamented vases, of various sizes, containing magnificent bouquets,
can be arranged in various parts of the room, while the inner corners
are filled up with marble or plaster pedestals, supporting pieces of
statuary; the divan on which the princess is seated must be double the
size of those scattered about the room, and covered with striped pink
and blue cloth. The scene should be illuminated by a purple fire
burned at the right hand side of the stage. A lively serenade would be
appropriate music.