BUST OF PROSERPINE.

One Female Figure.

This artistic tableau is a living representation of the bust of Proserpine by Powers. The head is ideal, and we may conceive it as embodying our great sculptor's conception of female beauty in repose. The wreath of leaves and flowers which encircles it, alludes, perhaps remotely, to the legend, familiar in the poets, of the field

Of Enna, where Proserpine, gathering flowers, Herself a fairer flower, by gloomy Dis Was gathered.

The learned Germans, who regard the whole Grecian mythology as personifying natural phenomena, interpret the legend as follows: Proserpine who is carried off to the lower world is the seed corn, that, for a time, is buried in the ground. Proserpine who returns to her mother is the corn which rises again to support mankind. The lady who takes the part of Proserpine should be quite handsome, with fine, regular features, a high forehead, and a good form. Her dress should be pure white, and cut extremely low at the neck; the hair should be brushed back from the forehead, done up neatly behind, allowing five or six curls to hang loosely in the neck, and a braid of hair should be worn across the front of the head. No ornaments of any kind should be worn.

The machinery of this tableau is arranged as follows: The revolving beam that is described in the tableau of the Flower Vase is to be used in this piece. The beam is placed in the centre of the stage, on the top of which is a wooden pedestal, three and a half feet high by seventeen inches in diameter on the inside. This pedestal should be made in two parts, having hinges, and a hook, to fasten them together. It must have a cap and base, and be covered with white cloth, over which fasten white tarleton muslin. The bottom of it should be six inches in thickness, with a square mortise in the centre, to allow the top of the beam to enter. The lady who personates Proserpine is to stand inside of this pedestal, and, as the space is quite small, it will be necessary to wear few under skirts. A frame should be manufactured of wire, and covered with white cloth and white muslin, and should be made to fit the back and breast of the figure, allowing room for the arms to be folded inside of it. This is to be made at the top in the same shape as the dress worn by the lady, and should reach to the waist of the person, fitting tightly, and from the waist be made to flare off in scroll form so as to rest on the top of the pedestal. By looking at a bust, one will easily understand the shape of the frame. It must be made in two pieces, and fastened at the sides with tape strings; around the top of the frame put a small wreath of white leaves and flowers. The lady must take her position inside of the pedestal which has been placed on the top of the shaft; hook it firmly together, and pack cloth between the lady and the inside of the pedestal, for the purpose of keeping the body from moving from one side to the other. Then place the front and back wire frames in their position, and fasten them firmly. See that the arms are folded out of sight, and the hair arranged properly. The eyes should be cast upward slightly, and when once fixed in position, they should not be moved. The face and neck should be made as white as possible; the expression of the countenance calm and serene. The fairies and the crimson curtain used in the tableau of the Dancing Girl can be used in this piece. A side view should be given of the statue before it revolves. In the second view, the pedestal must slowly revolve, while a plaintive air is played on the melodeon. This tableau has been admired by many, and will repay any one for the trouble of producing it.