One Female and One Male Figure.
This group is a representation of Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness,
and is designed to imitate sculpture. The circumstances of the scene
are well known in the simple narrative of the Scriptures. The boy,
weary and exhausted by unaccustomed hardships and suffering, has sunk
down in the desert to die; but Hagar, sustained by the measureless
affection of a mother's breast, supports the fainting form of her son,
and has just put aside the cup now drained of its last precious drops
of water. She gazes upon his face, while in her own, hope still
lingers, before yielding to the unutterable anguish of despair. The
lady who personates Hagar should be of good figure and features, tall,
and matronly. Costume consists of a white dress, cut low in the neck,
sleeves five inches long, a white tarleton scarf worn across the
shoulders, and tied at the left side, the hair hanging in curls on the
neck, a white turban on the head, with two white strips attached to
the side and passed under the chin, and white sandals laced across
white hose. The position of Hagar is kneeling, so that a side view is
had of the face. The left hand sustains the head of Ishmael, the right
is extended to the pitcher which stands at the side of the group; the
head is bent forward considerably, eyes fixed on those of the boy,
countenance expressing anxiety and hope. A young lad of six years of
age, of fair complexion and long, light, curly hair, is required to
personate Ishmael. He should be costumed in a loose, white coat or
frock, white hose and sandals, with a white gauze mantle draped about
the breast. Ishmael's position is, reclining on his side, one leg
drawn up and placed across the other, the left arm resting on the
ground, supporting the body, the right lying carelessly at the side;
the shoulders rest on the knee of Hagar, head thrown back, and resting
on the hand of Hagar, eyes closed, mouth partially open. The pitcher
should be of white porcelain, of ancient style. The group is formed on
a square or round pedestal, five feet square or in diameter, and one
foot high, covered with white cloth or marble paper. The exposed
portions of the figures must be made as white as possible with chalk.
Light soft, and come from the side of the stage. Music of a plaintive
and sacred character.