PLEASANT ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 24, 17 June 1893, Page 573

PLEASANT ENTERTAINMENTS.

Sometimes one wishes to furnish some form of agreeable entertainment for church or other gatherings. One which is easily managed and always pleasant is the making of pictures. It is desirable to arrange a corner of a room with a large curtain draped from ceiling to floor and parted in the middle. Below this is placed a frame made of wide, heavy picture-moulding. A very large, ready-made frame of any sort will answer. It should not be less than three feet wide by five feet high. Back of this should be stretched a curtain or screen of some dark unobtrusive colour. Terra cotta is good ; sage-green is sometimes used ; black is desirable for some purposes, and various shades of gray will be found useful. These screens are easily made by nailing four pieces of light wood together so as to form a large square stretcher. Over this, canton flannel or inexpensive wool goods are to be stretched and held in place with small tacks. It is necessary that wide goods be chosen, as there must be no seam in the screen. The best way is to arrange a standard so that the various scenes may be placed on it without delay. From the top of the frame to the ceiling a drapery matching the curtains in colour must be suspended, and a like arrangement fills the space from frame to floor. These details being carefully arranged, the picture or grouping follows. Engravings of historical characters should be selected, and persons should be chosen whose general style and features bear some resemblance to the picture. Then a costume is to be piepared after the fashion and the time represented. Arranged in this the figure is posed back of the frame. Follow the model as nearly as possible in pose and expression. The close resemblance when viewed from the distance will be surprising. The effect is improved by stretching a thin screen of net lace of some neutral tint before the picture. One character or several may be represented in the frame. If more than one are to be shown, however, it is an advantage to have the frame so arranged that it can be turned sidewise, and for this allowance should be made in the drapery which closes the space between the curtains and above the frame. In addition to figure-grouping, some effective work has been done in flowers and fruit, and in animals that can be taught to remain quiet. No little amusement was afforded on one occasion by an owl on bis perch, This was placed on a desk beside which were a skull and cross-bones, a pile ot musty books and some weird-looking objects that suggested incantations and the black art generally. A very old man, with hooked nose, dishevelled hair and long, claw like hands and a gown of scarlet, made up a picture in which an artist would Bave revelled. A laughable part »a» the discussion which arose as to whether the owl was a living or a stuffed bird, the party being divided in opinion, each holding firmly to his or her idea on the subject. After a time the owl, in bis wisdom, possibly wearied with the chatter, flapped his wings and turned around on his perch, immediately resuming his statuesque attitude. Cats, dogs, and other creatures which have been trained make up most beautifully in entertainments of this sort. Little children are desirable, and the baby sound asleep on a cushion and watched over by a faithful dog is not to be overlooked.