FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120  
121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   >>   >|  
bling by the youths who were about to enter for the first time the favorite dominions of the old god. The ceremonies on these occasions varied according to the character of the crew, of the commander of the vessel, or of the poor fellows about to undergo the unpleasant and dreadful process of an introduction. They were generally of a harmless and amusing character, one of which was to bring them before old Neptune, and put them through the process of shaving. The chin, and the greater part of the face, would be plastered over with a composition made of tar and train oil, laid on thickly with a large tar brush. The razor was often fabricated from a worn-out hoop, notched like a handsaw. This was drawn over the face, not in the most gentle manner. After this operation was completed, a person approached to untie the handkerchief that bandaged the eyes, and at the same moment kicked away the plank on which the victim sat, which precipitated him into the ship's longboat, filled with water for the occasion.--The number of figures in this tableau is ten. Neptune is the principal one, and is costumed in a flesh-colored coat, fitting tightly to the body, and covered with hieroglyphics in bright colors; the face painted to look hideous, and partially covered with a long, shaggy beard; a crown on the head, made of card-board, covered with gilt paper and shells; a spotted fur robe is thrown over the lower portion of the body; his right hand grasps a three-pronged fork, while the left is stretched out to one of the sailors. His throne, on which he is seated, is made of a number of barrels placed in a row at the back of the stage, on which rests a platform, with an anchor on each side. The victim, as well as the rest of the performers, should be costumed in sailors' suits, differing in colors and styles. In the centre of the stage erect a small platform, one foot high and six feet long. On this place the person who is to be shaved. At his left stand two sailors. One holds the speaking trumpet and a ship's bucket; the other is in the act of pouring a bucket of water on the head of the victim; a third sailor holds in his left hand a paint brush, and brandishes the razor in his right; a little sailor boy holds a small tub, which contains the soap. Fronting the victim, kneels a sailor, holding a syringe. The remaining figures are looking on to see the sport. The countenances of all but the victim express mirth. An imitation mast and sail
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120  
121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

victim

 

sailor

 

covered

 

sailors

 

person

 

costumed

 

platform

 

bucket

 
figures
 

Neptune


colors

 

number

 
character
 
process
 

anchor

 

styles

 

centre

 

differing

 

barrels

 

performers


seated
 

portion

 

dominions

 
favorite
 

thrown

 

spotted

 

grasps

 

shaving

 

throne

 

stretched


pronged

 

syringe

 

remaining

 
holding
 

kneels

 
Fronting
 

imitation

 
express
 
countenances
 

shaved


youths
 

speaking

 
brandishes
 

pouring

 

trumpet

 

shells

 

gentle

 

manner

 
unpleasant
 

handsaw