ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL.

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw, within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold. Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the presence in the room he said, "What writest thou?" The vision raised its head, And with a look made all of sweet accord, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But clearly still, and said, "I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow-men." The angel wrote and vanished. The next night It came again with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love of God had blessed, And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. Leigh Hunt.

One Female and One Male Figure.

This very fine tableau is taken from the beautiful lines written by Leigh Hunt. The tableau is represented in two scenes. In the first scene, Ben Adhem is seen reclining on his couch, gazing with wonder and surprise on the angel, who is standing in the centre of the room, engaged in writing in the book of gold. In the second scene, the angel stands at the foot of the couch, and holds the book towards Ben Adhem for him to read the names written therein. The couch can be formed by placing a small mattress on a few low boxes, and covering the whole with bed clothes, on the outside of which should be a white quilt. It must be placed in the foreground, at the right of the stage. Place a plaster pedestal near the side of the couch, on the top of which stand a lighted lamp. At the background of the picture fasten a set of crimson damask curtains; drape them at each side of the stage, and beneath them place a plaster pedestal, with a piece of statuary on the top.

The lady who personates the angel should be of good form and features, of medium height, and costumed in a white dress, over which is worn a loose white tarleton muslin robe, with large flowing sleeves; this must be cut quite low at the top, and made to trail on the floor; hair done up snugly, and encircled with a band of silver, one fourth of an inch wide; large wings, formed of wire, and covered with gauze, and ornamented with silver spangles, should be fastened to the back of the waist. The face and other exposed parts of the body should be whitened with flesh powder. Position in the first scene is, standing in the centre of the room, facing the audience. The book of gold can be imitated by placing sheets of gold paper on the cover and in the inside of a large book. Let it rest on the left arm, and be held at the top by the left hand. The right hand holds a long quill pen, the point of which rests on the pages of the book. Let the body and head incline forward slightly; the eyes directed to the book; the expression of the face tranquil. Ben Adhem's position in the first scene is, reclining on the couch, with the quilt thrown over the lower portion of his body; his left hand resting on the bed, from which he has partially risen; the right raised in front of the chest, the fingers spread out; the face turned towards the angel, the expression of the face denoting surprise and wonder. Costume consists of white pants and shirt, white lace collar and wristbands, and a velvet cloak thrown carelessly over the right shoulder. In the second scene, the angel stands at the foot of the couch, holding the book in the left hand, and pointing to its pages with the right. Her eyes are fixed on Ben Adhem's face, while the countenance is lighted up with smiles. Ben Adhem leans forward, slightly resting his arm on a cushion at his side, and looks with pleasure on the pages of the book. A number of names should be written in the book, and at the top, in large letters, place the name of Abou Ben Adhem. While the tableau is performed, the poem may be read by the announcer. The light for the first scene should be quite dim, and come from the side of the stage opposite Abou. In the second scene, a colored fire must be burned, so as to throw a strong light on the form of the angel. Music in the first scene very soft, and increasing in power in the second.