Twenty Male and Six Female Figures.
This tableau is a vivid representation of some of the effects of war.
The foreground of the picture represents a battle field after the
combat has ended.
"'Twas the battle field; and the cold, pale moon
Looked down on the dead and dying;
And the wind passed o'er, with a dirge and a wail,
Where the young and the brave were lying."
The ground is strewn with the dead and wounded soldiers, broken
cannon, muskets, flags, swords, and portions of torn and tattered
uniforms. In the background, there is a representation of a
breastwork of stone; on the extreme right are two females weeping; at
the extreme left is a mother and two children. The mother lies across
the breastwork, dead. The children stand by her side, looking with
wonder into her face. Standing on the centre of the breastwork is the
Goddess of War. In one hand she holds a torch, which is raised above
her head; the left grasps a standard and sword. The number of figures
in the piece is twenty-six. Twenty young gentlemen must be costumed in
various styles of military suits, while many should have wounds
painted on various parts of the body. The costume of the Goddess of
War consists of a crimson dress, black velvet waist, trimmed with
gold, hair hanging loosely over the shoulders, and a red French
military hat on the head. The two ladies at the right are costumed in
mourning. The mother should be attired in a white dress; the children
in bright-colored costumes, with hair hanging in ringlets. The stage
must be formed like an inclined plane, beginning at the footlights,
and rising towards the background, and covered with green bocking. The
soldiers should be grouped about the ground in various positions, and
the cannon and guns scattered about in a promiscuous manner. The two
ladies in mourning sit on the top of the breastwork, side by side,
their heads bowed down, and hands covering their faces. The mother is
seated at the other end of the breastwork, head thrown back, and eyes
closed. The children are standing by her side, clasping their hands
and gazing into her face. The Goddess of War should stand with her
left side to the audience, body bent forward, the head slightly turned
towards the battle field, the countenance expressing animation and
determination. A small quantity of smoke should be seen rising behind
the breastwork, while the whole scene is illuminated by a red light
burned at the side of the stage. The booming of distant cannon and
martial music may be imitated behind the stage.