Middletown transcript., 1868-05-16
For the Mtddletown Transcript.
The Tableaux.

mR. EuITOR line recent eXnlDltlOn OF
in your town reflected great cred
it on the ladies and gentlemen engaged in
the enterprise. The success of the affair !
in pecuniary point of view, as well as in
and receiving the applause of the
refined and intelligent audience assembled |
on both evenings, must be very gratifying |
to those interested. We do not belong to
that severe type of critics who leave out of
view that mans nature is many-sided, that
there is an element in him which calls for
as well as the instincts which
prompt him to s'life's toll and endeavor"
If amusements of an innocent and rational
kind are provided for him, the thirst for
forbidden excitements will be dissipated,
and with lighter heart he will go on to
meet the stern realities of life with no bias
to cause him to diverge from the line which
marks the eternal fitness of things" If,
therefore, while promoting the pleasure
and gratifying the taste Of our people, a
good cause can, at the same time, be ad-
vanced, is it not worthy of all commenda-
ton to accomplish the double object We
PROFOUND the question to your correspon-
dent, "An Observer" and ask him to an
swer it in some of his long-drawn verses,
which,
"Like wounded serpent,
Drag their slow length along"
1t may seem invidous to criticize the
scenes individually, but we can't forbear
expressing some of the impressions made on
our mind as we gazed with admiration on
the beautiful faces and forms that appear
ed before us.
The Seasons made charming picture.
There were three graceful maidens with
hoary Winter standing by, and, like the
ancient Gorgon, chilling the blood in ones
veins.
Burns and his Highland Mary must have
kindled feeling of pleasure in the breast
of every one who is not dead to sentiment.
The Knighting of Sir Walter Raleigh was
scene worthy of the pencil of an artist.
The costume and the grouping of the fig
ures displayed superior taste and skill.
Loves dream with its sleeping beauty
and its little Cupid, both of whom seemed
the impersonation of the spirit of poetry,
was picture to be remembered.
Taking the Veil was thrillingly ex-
pressive. The novice looked too beautiful
to sacrifice the wealth of hair that flowed
over her shoulders We felt inclined to
address her in Walters words,
Small is the worth
OF beauty from the light retired
Bid herself come forth,
Suffer her to be desired
And not blush so to be admired.
Hiawatha's Wooing was highly pictur-
esque Minnohaha shone out like the
moon from cloud in the east. Happy he
who when he comes wooing shall not WOO
in vain, but in the plenitude of his felicity
shall live in the light of her eye.
Joan of Arc called forth enthusiastic ad-
miration. The beautiful heroine tied to the
stake, the surrounding fagots, the priest at
his ghostly office administering the last
consultations, brought forcibly to mind
the old times of superstition and heroism,
when men (and even women)
"Mounted barbed steeds
I To fright the souls of fearful adversaries."
For piquancy and spiciness Womsn's
Rights was indispensable. The satisfac-
tion of the heroine at having subjugated
one of the lords of creation cleaned out too
clearly to be mistaken.
Mercy's Dream has received well merit
ed praise from those who have high taste
and keen appreciation for the beautiful. Il
was portrayal of such picture as visits
a poets brain.
Moses Dressing for the Fair and Joys Of
Bachelor were full of humor
For humor and comic effect, however, il
is universally conceded that Artemai
Wards Wax Figgers were unsurpassed
and unsurpassable. The speech of Arte
mas was as full of humor as an egg is full
of meat The old coat with its redundan
tail, the pantaloons with dangling straps
and the other appurtenances that made W
the hero of the occasion, were sufficient,
? bizarre for Punch himself The beautifu
Tambourine girl fully equalled the descrip
ton given of her in Artemas's own inimit
able words and style Ole Bull and tn,
Musical Genius did their part with vigo
and will. The Pugilists, 'who decide,
the battle of Waterloo" were animate,
and stirring in their efforts. The Smut
Takers-Lady Washington and Lord Corn
wallis-were good exemplifcation o
stateliness unbending itself most ludicrous
ly. The Organ-grinder turned his cranl
as if the fate of the universe depended OF
it-with look of gravity which proclaimed
that he had the weight of the 'unintelli
gible world" on his soul.
We confess our inability to give an ad
equate description of that part of the clos
ing scene of the exhibition, when Artemas
having wound up his Figgers and put then
in rapid motion, threw himself with sucl
gusto into the dance, and, in tripping oil
the eight fantastic toe," showed himsel
no-mean disciple of Terpsichore. Bette
try to paint the lghtning's flash than t.
attempt to give description which will
equal the reality.
There are other points we would like t.
mention (if time allowed) while writing o.
! the Tableaux, but we must rest contente
! with this meagre description, which
8 though it may be deemed incomplete an
| ticfac hty {ha ooto Oh