"Heloise in Her Cell."

"William Tell Shooting the Apple From His Son's Head," etc., etc., etc.




CHAPTER IX.

CHURCH AND SCHOOL SOCIALS

WAX WORKS GALLERY: MRS. JARLEY'S COLLECTION--CHINESE GIANT--TWO-HEADED
GIRL--CAPTAIN KIDD--CELEBRATED DWARF--YANKEE--CANNIBAL, ETC.


The idea is that of a waxwork exhibition, the characters being
personated, after a burlesque fashion, by living performers. Each
"figure" is first duly described by the exhibitor, and then "wound up"
and made to go through certain characteristic movements.

The collection is supposed to be that of the far-famed Mrs. Jarley,
of "Old Curiosity Shop" celebrity. She may be assisted, if thought
desirable, by "Little Nell" and a couple of manservants, John and
Peter. The costume of Mrs. Jarley is a black or chintz dress, bright
shawl and huge bonnet; that of Little Nell may be a calico dress and
white apron, with hat slung over her arm. John and Peter may be dressed
in livery suits, and should be provided with watchman's rattle,
screwdriver, hammer, nails and oil-can. At the rise of the curtain the
figures are seen ranged in a semicircle at the back of the stage, and
Little Nell is discovered dusting them with a long feather brush. Mrs.