The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-01-03


Having been on long, rambling
tour through the southern part of the
State, l found myself, on Christmas
Eve, in this goodly city, with its wide
and beautiful streets, its many trees
and gardens, its half dozen churches,
and some very handsome dwelling
houses. [ concluded to remain and wit
ness the festivities Of the season, and
must confess to little curiosity as TO
the manner of enjoying the holidays
in this old Kentucky. so far famed
for her hospitality. There were the
usual complement of rockets, Roman
candles, squibs, merry, noisy boys,
drunken men, and a considera BILE
sprinkling of the Ethiopian element
lOunging around. But the feature of
the times, and the expressing subject
of interest, has been series of tab
leaux vIvants, gotten up by the ladies
of the Episcopal Church, and man
aged, understand. by the daughter
Of distinguished Senator of this
place / think they are entitled to
the gratitude of the public, for in the
conception as well as the execution,
their tableaux very far surpassed any
thing Of the kind | have ever seen.
The first one was Of very richly
dressed brigand in his test,
exhibiting his stolen jewels
to his wife-a fair and beautiful wo-
man-while their child, a pretty lit
tie girl with golden curls, and scar
let dress, sits by, with her doll In
the second there is an alarm. He has
risen, and with a fierce and eager
countenance is bending forward, his
gun levelled at some invisible foe.
His wife, with cheeks paled anG eyes
dilated with fear, one hand on mis-
shoulder, strains an anxious gaze into
the darkness beyond-while the little
one, a moment before so happy In the
careless play Of childhood, now clings
terrified to her mothers skirt.
This whole scene was splen idly
represented, and with an intensity of
expression that made it almost real.
The third shows him wounded, and
while his wife endeavors to staunch
the blood that flows in a torrent from
his heart, the officers of the law, In
respect for her grief, which renders
even the brigand's wife sacred for the
time. stand apart. Red lights, as of
torches, flicker and play upon the
scene, and you imag ne yourself in a
Feritable robbers cave.
The next tableau was from the
life of Mary, Queen of Scots-three
seenes-which were beautifully rem
dered. In the first, she is being
forced to sign her ahdication. In the
second, she is in prison. This was
an exquisite picture She has forgot.
ten her sorrows for time in sleep,
and her pale, careworn, etstili beau
tiful, face, but now so proud and def
ant, is calm and peaceful. Who
knows what angels may be minister
ing unto her, whose earthly crown has
brought her so much woel Her next
appearance is just before her execu-
ton. With priest bending over her
In blessing, and friends around her,
she kneels in prayer, her crucifx to
her lips. Her eyes are raised, i'm
ploring God for that mercy which has
surely fed from earth to heaven
for mercy there is none on earth for
her in this dread hour. She has for
given all her enemies, even Eug and's
cruel Qaeen, and is nobly res gued to
the fate that awaits her. Too much (
praise cannot be awarded to the
actors in this tableau; and I regret /
that my want of acquaintance with /
the citizens of the place prevented /
my learning their names.
Then came on a beautiful little /
scene-the . Language of Flowers -
which is, and always has been, Loce. /
and for the expression OF which |
flowers were surely made It
was beautifully interpreted here /
by a pair of lovers whose happi /
ness, youth and beauty leave no (
doubt as to what the language
of flowers Is. Next followed. The |
Taking Of the Veil, which was one Of
the most artistic End we'll gotten Up
scenes Of the whole evening. The
innocence, beauty and youthful grace
of the novice, whose abundant tresses
were about to be shorn, made one
realize most sensibly the pang that
must attend the surrender Of all the
living warmth and brightness Of life
for the cold and loveless shades OF the
cloister.
J After this came a comic scene. that
fairly brought the house down. The |
: Lovers Quarrel merits SPECIAL I
description. On a big goods box.
with tallOw candle beside him, sits the
lover-legs dangling down-bIacking
brush and shoes in hand, but so
puzzled, bewildered and bewitched is
he by his little lady love, who stands T
beside him, that be has forgotten TO
use his brush, and with head thrown
back Is whistlIng with the rueful ex-
preston of a man who doesn't know
what else to do. She, meanwhile. is