How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view;
The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood,
And every loved spot which my infancy knew;
The wide-spreading pond, and the mill that stood by it,
The bridge, and the rock where the cataract fell,
The cot of my fathers, the dairy house nigh it,
And e'en the rude bucket which hung in the well;
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket, which hung in the well.
One Male and One Female Figure.
This tableau represents a young peasant girl and her lover going to
the well. It is a statuary design, and, when well executed, makes a
tableau of great beauty. The lady and gentleman who take part in this
group must be of the same height, of slim figure, and good features;
the gentleman should be without a beard. In the centre of the stage
place a round pedestal one foot high, three feet in diameter, and
covered with black marble paper. The gentleman's costume consists of a
white coat, breeches, hose, shoes, cravat, vest, gloves, hat and
collar, and a long gauze scarf, worn over the shoulder, tied at the
side, the ends hanging down to the knee, the hat placed jantily on the
side of the head. The lady's costume consists of a white dress, worn
with but few skirts, and cut low at the top, sleeves long and flowing;
a long gauze scarf worn over the shoulders, tied at the side, the ends
allowed to trail on the floor; white hose, shoes, gloves, and white
felt hat worn carelessly on the head; the exposed parts of both
figures made as white as possible. Both stand near the centre of the
pedestal, the gentleman's right hand placed across the lady's
shoulder; his left hangs carelessly at the side, and grasps a white
water pitcher, his right foot placed twenty inches in advance of the
left, the toe of the left just touching the pedestal, and the body
inclined forward slightly; his head is turned towards the lady, into
whose eyes he is looking, while the countenance expresses pleasure.
The lady's right hand holds a pitcher similar in shape to the one held
by the gentleman. Her left is raised near her bosom, the forefinger
pointed to some object in the distance. Her head is turned towards the
gentleman, eyes looking into his, and countenance expressing
earnestness, her feet and body in the same position as the
gentleman's. The front of the stage, if covered with thin white gauze,
will add to the beauty of the piece. The light should come from the
left side of the stage, and be of a medium brightness. Music soft and
plaintive.