be
placed on the extreme edge of the stage, in such a manner that lamps
from the ante-rooms will throw a light upon the stage and not be seen
by the audience. Make the drop-curtain of stout blue cambric; fasten a
slim piece of wood at the top and the bottom; and, at intervals of one
foot on both of the poles, fasten loops of thick leather, containing
iron rings one inch in diameter, and between the bottom and top rings,
at intervals of one foot, fasten small brass rings; these should be
attached to the cambric on the inside of the curtain; then fasten the
top pole to the inside of the top of the frame, and attach strong
lines to the bottom rings; pass the cords through the brass rings and
the iron rings at the top; then gather them together, and pass them
through a ship's block fastened in the ante-room. As the lines will be
quite likely to run off of the wheel, a piece of hard wood, with a
circle at one end, fastened on the inside of the frame, will answer a
better purpose for the cords to pass through. After passing them over
the block, tie them together, and the curtain will be ready for use.
When the ropes are drawn, the curtain will rise up in folds to the top
of the frame. The floor of the stage should be built out on the front
twelve inches, for the placing of a row of gas-burners with tin
reflectors, painted black on the outside; this row of lights should be
furnished with a stopcock, which can be placed in the gentleman's
dressing-room. A row of strong lights should also be placed on each
side of the stage, within three feet of the ceiling; these also should
have reflectors and separate stopcocks, for the purpose of casting the
proper lights and shades on the stage.

_The Dressing-rooms_ are on each side, and beneath the stage. The
floor of the stage should extend out on each side, making small rooms
for the placing of the scenery, furniture, &c. A trap-door should be
cut in the floor of each room, and flights of steps reaching down into
the rooms below, which are used for dressing-rooms. A partition placed
under the stage divides the ladies' from the gentlemen's room; these
rooms are covered on the front with strong cloth, and decorated with
flags.

_A stage for tableaux in a private dwelling-house_ should be formed
similarly to a hall stage, but so constructed that it can be put
together in a few minutes. The platform should be fourteen feet
square, made in three sections, so that it can be handled easily,