The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-05-26
PARLOR PASTIMES.
Dame HistOry's Peep Showdown o
Arc.


Are,
This curious novelty can be given in
any hall OF parlor, and will afford in
struction and amusement at the same
time. A curtain of black cambria must
be drawn across the middle of the room
by rope at the top and bottom. A
large round hole is cut in the center of
this curtain, eight feet in diameter. or as
large as the height of the room will
allow, as a margin of at least one foot
of black cambria must be left at the top
and bottom. A curtain of some bright
color, large enough to completely fill the
aperture while the scenes are changed,
must hang upon rings, on wire directly
behind the black curtain. The light
must come from the top or sides, and in
order that 1t may not shine through the
black cambria blanket should be
placed behind the lamps Dame History
sits outside the black curtain in high
chair. She wears black quilted skirt,
red over dress, long, black pointed waist,
high ruff, very high cap, and spectacles.
She has in her hand a long cane with
which she points out the characters; at
her left is a small table covered with
books, upon which is bell which she
strikes as signal to draw away the
bright curtain, and exhibit the scenes, as
she describes each one. These speeches
must of course be made to suit the ca
pacity and taste of her hearers, so this
specimen which is given is adapted to
the comprehension of little wide
Awakes" as well as those who think they
know more.
Dame HiStOry'S Speech: "My dear
little friends, shall show you this even
ing one of the most remarkable women
that ever lived, who by her pure and
simple faith accomplished seeming i'm
possibilities. Joan of Arc, peasant
maiden, the daughter of poor shep-
herdess of Domremy, in France, who
rescued her country from the invading
English, and won for her unfortunate
monarch, Charles VII, the title of Charles
the Victorious. You will sec her first as
in simple peasant costume she carries
water for the horses, at the stable of the
Inn"
The bright curtain is drawn away, and
girl of fine face and figure appears,
dressed in a rough wooden skirt, white
waist and high black bodice, bearing on
her head large implanted pail.
The Dame then proceeds with her
speech: This wonderful maiden was
50 carried away with love and sympathy
for her unfortunate country that she
dreamed night and day about it, and
fancied that angels appeared to her often,
informing her that she was destined to lead
the army of the King to certain victory,
to deliver the city of Orleans which was
surrounded by the English, and to crown
the King at Rheims" ...
The curtain is again drawn, and Joan
is kneeling before an angel, who points
upward behind her, another angel bends
forward in blessing from an elevation.
The angels are personated by blonde
ladies dressed in flowing drapery, with
large wings made of pulled tarelan
stretched on wire frames.
After much suffering from delay and
abuse, the energy and truth of the maiden
finally convinced many of her most de-
termined opponents, and after long
and dangerous journey through coun-
try overrun with robbers she was at last
brought before the King, who was driven
to desperation by his many defeats. At
the court she was subjected to the most
trying examination by the dignitaries of
church and state, but no threats or per-
suasions could make her change her be.
lief in her angel visitors, or her prophecy
of certain victory. Even the weak king
was encouraged by her determination,
and she was fitted out with suit of
al ~ f1, &C = H.
army. She believed that her sword and
banner were presented by her angel
guardians"
The scene here acknowledgements her
clad in suit of silver armor, which
is made by covering button molds
with silver paper and sewing them as
thickly as possible on close-titting
black waist and short skirt; the helmet
is made by covering a wire dish-cover
with silver paper, and the long stockings
are also covered with silver paper The
angel on her right is presenting a sword,
and the one on the left holds white BAN
ner ornamented with feur de us. In the
angel scenes coil of magnesium wire
should be burned before a common re-
Hector to add to the effect.
after many hard battles which the
shepherd maid, who could not read or
write, conducted with the skill of a
veteran General, the enemy were forced
to give up the siege of Orleans, and the
King was publicly crowned at Rheims
precisely as had been foretold by the
visions.
Joan now felt that her mission was
accomplished, and was very anxious to
return again to her native village and to
the humble life which she loved But
the soldiers who had been sustained by
her courage refused to carry on the war
without her, and she finally yielded to
the rspeuasion of the court, to accom-
pany the army, against all her convictions
of duty. After many reverses the brave
maiden fell into the hands of her ene-
mics, the English, who used every means
to convict her of witchcraft, as they
wished to rid themselves of the disgrace
of having their greatest Generals beaten
by a girl only eighteen years of age.
They therefore tried in every way to in
| lure her, by EMPLOYING spy to visit her