manager a gentleman of some artistic skill, by all means do so, as his
technical knowledge will be found of the greatest possible service.

Before proceeding to plan your series of pictures, it will be necessary
to provide the "frame" in which they are to be exhibited. If the room
which you propose to use has folding doors, they will of course be
used. A curtain, preferably of some dark color, should be hung on each
side, and a lambrequin or valance across the top. Where circumstances
admit, the directions we give elsewhere as to the construction of a
stage and proscenium for private theatricals may be followed with
advantage. In any case, a piece of fine gauze should be carefully
stretched over the whole length and depth of the opening. This is
found, by producing softer outlines, materially to enhance the pictorial
effect. If it is practicable to have a raised stage, it will be found
of great addition. Where this cannot be arranged, it is well to place
a board, six inches in width, and covered with the same material as
the rest of the frame, across the floor (on edge) from side to side,
in the position which the footlights would ordinarily occupy.

The next consideration will be the curtain. The ordinary domestic
curtains, hung by rings from a rod or pole, and opening in the middle,
will serve as a makeshift; but where a really artistic series of
tableaux is contemplated, the regular stage curtain of green baize is
decidedly to be preferred.

The question of "background" will be the next point to be considered.
_Tableaux vivants_ may be divided into two classes, the dramatic, i.e.,
representing some incident, e.g., a duel, or a trial in a court of
justice, and the simply artistic, viz., such as portray merely a group,
allegorical or otherwise, without reference to any particular plot or