e Ruggleses in the
rear." A reading-desk and lamp must stand below the platform,
and the audience-room be left in darkness. The reader will
give the signal for the opening and closing of the curtains,
pausing long enough for a full recognition of the scene. As
a repetition of a tableau is often more successful than
its initial effort, the performers should be on the alert,
prepared to give a second view.

The characters in the story call for six young people to
represent Mr. Bird, Mrs. Bird, the Grandmother, Physician,
Mrs. Ruggles, and Uncle Jack, and fourteen children to take
the parts of Donald, Hugh, Paul, Carol, Sarah Maud, Peoria,
Cornelius, Elly, Kitty, Peter, Clem, Larry, Susan, and the boy
singer.

The first hymn, "Carol, Brothers, Carol," is to be sung
behind the curtains, just before they are drawn for the second
picture. A harp, violin, and triangle would assist the piano
in making an orchestral effect. A solo voice supplies the
closing air, "My Ain Countree." The piano may be played very
softly whenever the reader pauses and the tableaux are shown.

It is important that the arrangements for each scene be made
in absolute quietness, with systematic forethought, else
the attention of the listeners will be distracted from the
reading.

If a Christmas tree for the entire school is to close the
entertainment, it should be in readiness at the rear of the
platform, concealed by a curtain. In the sixth picture the
tree appears, to illustrate the story, and remains lighted
through the evening.)

FIRST PICTURE.

"They were consulting about it in the nursery." (Page 1 in "The Birds'
Christmas Carol.")

In this scene the children's belongings are scattered about: small
chairs, a cradle, toys, and picture-books. Mr. Bird stands in the
center of the platform holding a large doll dressed in infant's robes.
Grandma is seated near, and Uncle Jack, Donald, Paul, and Hugh are
discussing a name for the baby. The Christmas hymn is heard after the
curtains are drawn and before the

SECOND PICTURE.

"A famous physician had visited them." (Page 12.)

Mr. and Mrs. Bird and the doctor are seated around a library-table in
earnest conference.

THIRD PICTURE.

Carol's "Circulating Library." (Page 16.)

Carol is lying in an easy-chair beside a case filled with books. The
description of her room should