Tableaux vivants, as commonly represented, are so well understood
that no directions are necessary; but some of our readers may not
have heard of the illustration of poems, &c., by a series of living
pictures. This is far more interesting than simply to personify some
one picture. Still another way is to represent the different verses and
scenes in a song in pantomime, while at the same time some one who is
a good musician sings the verses of the song, as they are represented.
For instance, “The Mistletoe Bough;” first represent a room decorated
with green, a company assembled, gayly dressed and dancing, while a
lady or gentleman behind the scene sings the verse represented in
distinct tones, and so on through the whole song; the last scene,
representing children in a lumber-room opening an old chest, and
exposing a skeleton, old flowers, &c. “Auld Robin Grey,” “The Three
Fishers,” “O, they marched through the Town,” “She wore a wreath of
Roses,” “The Minstrel’s Return from the War,” are all excellent ballads
to represent.