and
should rest on a frame of small joist, which can be mortised together
at the corners; place the frame on four boxes, two feet square; at the
corners of the platform mortise four square holes, in which insert
pieces of joist which will reach to the ceiling; around the top fasten
strips of board, by means of screws. Make the frame in three pieces,
cover them with cambric, and fasten them to the front joist, and on
the top board with long screws; arrange the curtain and scenery
similar to the hall stage. The wardrobes and furniture can be
furnished by the members of the company, and with a little ingenuity
and taste, many suits can be gotten up with little expense. As the
view of the tableaux is but momentary, the quality of the costumes
will not be noticed.

_For a single evening's entertainment_, the following arrangement will
suffice, providing there be a long entry or a large parlor, separated
by folding doors. If the entry is used, let the performers form their
tableaux at the lower end; and when all is ready, the audience can be
called from the parlors to witness the scene. A parlor with folding
doors is undoubtedly the best place, as the doors can be slowly
opened, which will give a better effect to the scene. Cover the wall
back of the tableaux with black shawls, place the lights on a table at
one side of the picture, and hide them from the view of the audience
by placing a screen of thick cloth in front of them.

In forming up a tableau, lights and shades should be studied; in fact,
this is the main secret of producing effects, and by managing the
lights about the stage correctly, you can throw parts of your picture
in shadow, while other portions are light. Care should also be taken
not to have too great a variety of colors in a picture. The showy
costumes should be intermingled with those of modest appearance, and
the lightest characters, as a general rule, should be placed in the
background to relieve the dark ones; those in the background should be
placed on platforms. If there are many figures in the piece, it will
be necessary to have a number of forms, of various heights, placed in
the background--in this manner all of the figures will be seen.

The scenery, furniture, and machinery of each piece should be arranged
previous to the entrance of the performers on the stage. Each
performer should be called on separately, and placed in position. By
adopting this plan, every tableau can be formed without n