WASHINGTON'S INAUGURATION A MOCK CEREMONY FOR FIFTEEN OR MORE CHILDREN OF ALL GRADES MARIE IRISH AT EXTREME back of stage arrange boxes to form a sort of balcony, large enough to hold at least two persons. These boxes may be covered with a rug or a dark blanket. At extreme front of stage, at center, have an arch with the words: "The Defender of the Mothers will be the Preserver of the Daughters.'' Have a number of children, depending on the amount of room that can be used, stand along front of stage, forming an avenue between which the President's party shall pass. One tall boy dresses to personate Washington, three or four others personate John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, etc., who were with him, while another boy is draped in black shawls for robes, personating Chancellor Livingston. Ideas for costumes can be gleaned from pictures found in histories—both for boys and girls. C HANCELLOR Livingston marches first, then the friends of Washington, and lastly, Washington. They pass between rows of children, who wave handkerchiefs. They pass under the arch, then continue on to the side of stage and off behind screen or curtain. Those who were waiting move farther up the stage and form in lines again, and the President's party comes back onto stage and, as they begin to pass between lines, the boys wave handkerchiefs and the girls throw flowers (a goodly number of old artificial flowers can be collected from children, as natural blooms are scarce at this time of year). The President's party halts and the girls, dressed in white, surround them and sing, to the tune of OLD HUNDRED:* From all that dwell below the skies, Let the Creator's praise arise; Let the Redeemer's name be sung, Through every land by every tongue. Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; Eternal truth attends Thy word; Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, * IN CAN'T BE BEATEN SONG COLLECTION, price, 6 cents. The party then passes on, and off at side of stage they first entered from. If there is an instrument at hand, have the music of HAIL COLUMBIA played for the marching, as this is the music of the "President's March" played when Washington was inaugurated. The children now move up around the balcony, standing on either side and in front of it. The President's party marches on again, and at back of stage, amid waving of handkerchiefs and throwing of flowers, Chancellor Livingston and Washington, with Adams and Hamilton if there is room, take places on the boxes intended for the balcony of Federal Hall. Livingston carries a Bible and he and Washington stand at front of balcony. Livingston says: "You do solemnly swear that you will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will, to the best of your ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help you God." All Washington then places his hand upon his breast and says: "I swear, so help me God." Then reverently kisses the Bible. The Chancellor calls out: "It is done; long live George Washington, President of the United States.' those about the balcony call out joyfully the words the Chancellor said, waving handkerchiefs. The friends of Washington, who marched with him, come forward and shake hands, the others cheering, the music starts again and all march from stage. HAIL, COLUMBIA! A DRILL AND EXERCISE FOR TEN OR MORE CHILDREN, INTERMEDIATE OR ADVANCED GRADES MARIE IRISH LET the words be sung if it is possible for the children to do so, but as the tune is rather difficult, if it cannot be sung let the words (which have been somewhat changed from the original to fit the occasion) be spoken. I F THE words are to be sung, have those taking part march onto the stage to the tune played as a march, or if no instrument is available, perhaps some boy with a drum can lead the marchers, beating time. Behind the drummer walks a boy with a horn or trumpet, then, walking side by side, a boy and a girl follow, each carrying a goodsized flag; next comes a boy or girl carrying a picture of Washington. Secure a good-sized picture, borrowing one already framed if possible. If a limp one is obtained, fasten it onto pasteboard. Get two hooks and two eyes with screws attached, screw the hooks onto a broomstick or other suitable handle, put an eye at top and one at bottom of picture and thus fasten picture to handle so it can be carried as a banner. The one carrying it must take care that picture faces the audience all the time. Then follow the others taking part, walking two and two, each carrying a flag of smaller size than those carried by two ahead. They march across front of stage, up side, across to center of back, where the drummer boy and trumpeter halt, leaving a space between them, the two with flags halt beside first two, in space between them, then the one with picture halts in the center between the two with flags. The others march down the center of stage in couples till nearly to front of stage, then halt, couples face each other, standing about three feet apart, raise flags and touch tips of staffs together. When an arched avenue is thus formed, the one with the picture comes down under upraised flags and stops at center of front. The two with large flags march down, single file, and take position one on either side and a little behind the picture, raising their flags and holding them so they drape above picture. Then those on right side move to the right, the others move to left, drummer and trumpeter come down and stand just back of those holding flags over picture, and a semicircle is formed back of the three at center of front. On the words "sound, sound," "fame," the trumpeter blows a blast as each word is spoken. The children now sing or speak, with spirit and in distinct manner : Sound, sound the trump of fame; Let our own Washington's great name Children standing in semicircle wave flags toward picture. Let ev'ry clime, to freedom dear, Those in semicircle bend forward, raising right hand, with flag, up at side of face, as if listening. With equal skill, with God-like pow'r, He govern'd in the fearful hour Flags extended out at right side, staffs vertical. The happier times of honest peace. Firm, united, let us be, Rallying round our liberty; As a band of brothers joined, All hail the chief who did command On "all hail" the trumpeter blows a blast. The flags are held pointing toward picture. The army of his native land; The rock on which the storm did beat, The rock on which the storm did beat; Those in semicircle step forward strong with right foot, flag held in front of body, staff vertical. But, sound in virtue, firm and true, His thoughts were fixed on heav'n and you. On "heav'n" point upward with flags, on "you" point to audience. When hope was sinking in dismay, Bring right foot back to place, drop head forward, flag drooping, attitude dejected; hold during next line. 1 When gloom obscured Columbia's day, Face expressing courage, body erect, flag raised and held high. Repeat refrain as before. As the words end the trumpeter blows a blast, the drummer beats time, children pass up center of stage to back, one goes down each side and they meet at front of stage in front of the one holding picture. Then they march from center of stage, once around the stage, in the same order as on entering, and exeunt. A HISTORICAL TABLEAUX MARIE IRISH Honor to Washington T CENTER of back of stage have a large picture of Washington on an easel. Have a strip of red, white, and blue bunting across top of picture and one across bottom of picture, with ends that extend at least a yard beyond each corner of picture. Three girls dressed in white stand just back and to either side of the picture. Two other girls in white kneel on either side of picture, in front of those standing. The girl standing farthest from the picture on either side holds the end of the bunting that goes across bottom of picture, while the one on either side, kneeling, farthest from picture holds end of bunting that goes across top, thus crossing the bunting on either side of picture. The girls on either side who kneel take position so that their faces come on either side of the crossing of the bunting. Just in front and below the cross of the bunting on each side |