The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-01-18
Living Statues.

an evening, or more successful means
of making money for church or charita-
BILE purposes, can be found than in this
delightful pastime. which has been just
ly considered very difficult of execution.
The simple processes which have long
been kept secret are now given to the
public for the first time, and if careful
iy followed by persons of taste and
judgment, these plain directions will
enable them to almost rival classic mar
bles.
The actors must, of course, be grace
full and also have clear conception of
the sentiment of their parts, rs the .ex-
preston of face often shows through
the powder which covers it.
After a long trial of many articles for
whitening the face, nothing is found su-
perior to the velvet chalk which, pack
ed in square boxes, has the size and
shape of ball two inches in diameter,
and is sold for ten cents by all drug
gists. No gelatine or other substance
is used upon the face before applying
the chalk, which must afterwards be
rubbed off dry, and then coat of cold
cream or any lubricating substance will
prevent any future roughness.
MODELS.
The best cast for most performances
is four ladies; one of them very tall,
one short and two of medium height,
one large muscular man, and one girl
about ten years old. These perform
ers can fill all the parts, as they resem-
BILE each other so closely when whiten-
ed, that little is gained by substituting
others for the various groups.
The man wears a suit of cotton tights,
with cotton gloves sewed on the sleeves,
a killed shirt of cotton flannel reaching
to the knee and u skull-cap of the same
material. Two cotton sheets will be
needed for his drapery; a hole is ripped
in the middle of one through which his
head is thrust. The corner of the sheet
is brought to the front, and the sides
hooped up to the shoulders, thus FORM
ing Roman toga.
The child wears a plain night-dress,
the waist being bound by tape over
which the dress is allowed to fall until
it takes up enough to only reach the
knees. Cotton gloves are sewed into
the sleeves. and tight cap made of cot
ton flannel covers the head.
The ladies wear tight white cotton
waists high in the neck, the sleeves be-
ing made of the legs of cotton stockings
with cotton gloves sewed firmly into
them after they have been tightly fitted
to the arms.
The caps are made of cotton cloth
and braids: bands and waves are made
of cotton wadding to change the couture
when needful.
DRAPING.
In draping the first sheet is tied
around the waist over tape to form a
scant skirt of the lower or inner half of
the sheet, the hem of which touches the
floor. The left hand corner of the front
half of this sheet is then fastened to the
right shoulder, and the other corner is
then also brought up in front, and the
end carried to the back and fastened at
the waist. A large knot is then tied in
the corner of the second sheet, which is
fastened in front of the left shoulder
and the sheet is drawn across the knees
in front, and the end fastened in the
same way as the first sheet. Beautiful
folds will be the result, which can be
stroked into such positions as may be
desired after study of drapery from
any good models, and wfTen the figures
are placed in different attitudes the dra-
perry thus arranged will constantly fall
into new and graceful folds of itself.
AS variety of good subjects may be
found in art journals and photographs.
it will only be needful to add few ex-
amples of different groups.
Two tables four feet long are placed
in the centre of the room with another
table of the same size upon them; box
two and half feet long and one foot
high stands on this table, and another
box of about the same size stands on
the floor in the centre of the room in
front of the whole. The pedestal is
draped with cotton sheets. and black
curtain or shawl is hung behind it.
The following are some specimen
groups.
THE MONUMENTAL GROUP.
The man stands on the top box in an
attitude of making an address, with his
right hand extended, his left slightly
curved and heavily draped with a sheet
thrown over it in straight folds. On
the top table at his left female figure
sits representing History writing on
tablet, and at his right, on the lower
table, tall figure stands at high
cross with her left arm behind it, and
her right hand holding to the bar. At
the other end of the long table another
lady stands bending forward as if strew-
ing flowers, with her right hand, from
large basket which she holds in her
left. On the lower box in front lady
bends above a child which clings to her
with its arms around her waist.
SIMPLE SIMON IN THE ART GALLERY.
The stage represents an art exhibit
ition. On the top table is a man with
huge spear. On the lower table at
his left, lady with hat and rake like
cleaner is seen, while on his right an
other lady is placed behind table
which stands on end SO that her head
and shoulders alone are visible. This
table being covered with sheets makes
her look like classic bust. The two
other ladies stand near the front of the
stage. one on the right, and the other
opposite her on the left, each being
posed on small box covered with
white.
Simon enters left, meets Pieman
right, asks for pie in motion by point
ing to his mouth as if hungry. Pieman
wants money, Simon mods his head.
Seizes pie and runs off. Pieman pur-
sues him, but he hides behind statue at
left and Pieman sadly goes out.
Simon comes gaily forward eating
pie. Being then pleased at sight of the
statues, he puts pie on the table, takes
out catalogue and studies the figures
carefully. The male statue slowly picks
up pie and eats it. Simon sees him
just at the last moment. and climbs up
to try to get to the pie. He shows
fight; statue is immoyable, but when
Simon turns his back the statue pushes
him down to the floor.
Simon is very angry, but the statue
is perfectly unconscious.
DENOUEMENT.
Simon goes forward, takes out snuff
box and opens it in front of stage.
Statue at right sneezes; Simon pauses,
when statue at left sneezes. Simon
then goes to look at the classic bust,
when the man statue knocks his hat off