WAXWORKS
MRS. JARLEY'S
FAR-FAMED COLLECTION OF
WAX-WORKS.
VOLUME I.
(CONTAINING FOUR PARTS.)
LONDON :
SAMl EL FRENCH, LTD.,
PUBLISHERS,
89, STRAND.
NEW Yorx :
SAMUEL FRENCH,
PUBLISHER,
26, WEST 22ND STREET.
MRS. JARLEY'S
FAR-FAMED
COLLECTION OF WAXWORKS,
PART I.
AS ARRANGED BT
G. B.,BARTLETT, OF CONCORD, MASS.,
AND PERFORMED BY AMATEURS UNDER HIS DIRECTION
FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN MOST OF THE
CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
With full Directions for their Arrangement, Positions^ Movement*,
Costumes, and Properties.
TO WHICH IS ADDMD
A NOVEL COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE MAEBLES.
LONDON :
SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD.,
PUBLISHERS,
89, STRAND.
NEW YOBK:
SAMUEL FRENCH,
PUBLISHER '.
26, WEST 22ND STREET.
T3£3
Gfjsractera, (Etantmea antf
MRS. JARLEY. — Old Hack dress, bright shawl, huge bonnet.
LITTLE NELL. — Calico dress, white apron, hat over her arm.
JCHN AND PETER. — Livery suits. They have a feather duster^
watchman 's rattle, screwdriver, hammer, nails, and oil-can.
THE CHINESE GIANT. — A man or woman with high cheek-bones,
standing on a high siool, chintz skirt round the waist, long
enough to cover ike stool, Chinese over-dress, Jxit, queue, and
moustache.
THE TWO-HEADED GIRL. — Two girls standing back to back, one
red skirt around both, white waists, hair curled, hands
hanging.
SEWING WOMAN. — Elizabethan ruff, silk dress, velvet over-dress.
MRS. WINSLOW. — Black dress, white apron, kerchitf, and cap.
Sits in ahair and holds doll on left arm, and small bottle in
right lutnd.
CAPTAIN KIDD. — White pantaloons, blue skirt, sailor hat, sword.
VICTIM. — Lady with flowing hair, white dress, silk over-dress.
THE MEKMAID.— <7/rZ with long light hair; the body of a fish
made of green cambric reaches to her waist; she holds comb
and hand-glass.
THE MANIAC. — Lady with black hair, white dress trimmed with
gay flowers ; holds pickle-jar in right hand.
THE SIAMKSE TWINS. — Two men dressed alike in modern
costume; a large lone is fastened by a wire to each , their
left and right arms are over the neck of the other.
THE r>r>Y THAT STOOD ON THE BURNING DECK. — A small boy ;
his clothes put on him hind-side before.
THE D \VAIIF. — Boy with red cloak, long while wig, bowl and
spoon.
BLUF. HEARD. — Flowing robe of any bright colour, twoan, loose
white pantaloons, beard of blue yarn ; he holds a vety largt
key in rigid hand.
SQUALLINI. — Rich party drest.
583
4 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
JACK SPRAT?. — A tall lean man ; square-cut suit.
MRS. JACK SPRATT. — A fleshy lady in bright chintz dress. A
small table stands between them. They are seated at oppo-
site sides of the table, each with plate and knife and fork.
LORD BYRON. — Sits in arm-chair ; he wears a black cloak with
large white collar; holds a book on his right knee, a child
on his left, and a pencil in his right hand.
CHILDE HAROLD. — A small child or large doll with flaxen hair,
seated on Byron s left knee.
THE LIVE YANKEE. — A tall thin man, Yankee suit, bell-crowned
hat ; holds jack knife in right hand, long stick in left.
THE OLD-FASHIONED SEWING MACHINE. — Lady neatly and
simply dressed, a stocking in her hand.
THE CANNIBAL. — Large man, Indian costume, crown of feathers ;
holds war-club and a piece of a hoop.
THE BACHELOR. — Blue swallow-tail coat, ruffle, buff vest, white
hat ; he holds a wheelbarrow in which his lady reclines.
His LADY LOVE. — Young lady ; bright chintz dress, huge bonnet,
parasol ; holds fan in one hand, parasol in other.
MOTHER GOOSE. — Old lady ; ruffled cap, black dress, wings made
of black cambric, which expand as she raises her arms.
LITTLE Bo-PEEP. — Small girl; red skirt, chintz tuck-up over-
dress, high hat ; holds a crook.
THE GIGGLER. — Girl with large face and mouth ; calico dress,
long apron ; holds newspaper.
OLD KING COLE. — Large wan; ermine robe, crown, red merry
face ; has pipe in his hand, and bowl and glass in lap.
THE CONTKABAND. — JVe^TO ; jean suit, old hat ; holds blacklr.g-
brush.
BABES is THE WOOD. — Very large men, one dressed as boy with
jacket, the other in dress in style of Itttle girl; each holds
a uouyh-iiut.
LITTLE RED HIDING HOOD.— Small girl; r&l dr*.*t and hood;
holds small bosket in right hand.
FAIR ONE WITH GOLDEN LOCKS. — Young lady with long
hair ; white dress ; holds buttle and curling-tongs.
%* For Motions, see note after each description.
MRS. JARLEY'S FAB-FAMED COLLECTION
OF WAXWORKS.
POSITIONS.
AT rise of curtain the Chinese Giant stands at back of stage,
the other figures being placed on each side of him in a semi-
circle. John and Peter are seated on low stools at L. Little
Nell is dusting the figures with a long feather brush. Mrs.
•Jarley stands in front and begins her opening speech, directing
lier men to bring out each single figure before she describes it.
John then winds up each one, after it has been described, and
when it stops it is carried back to place.
If the stage is too small, they may be shown in different
groups or chambers, according to the judgment of the manager,
After all have been described, the assistants wind up all,
3,nd the figures go through their motions all together, to the
music of a piano, keeping time to a tune which gradually goes
faster, then all stop, and curtain fall*.
MRS. JARLEY'S OPENING SPEECH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: You here behold Mrs. Jarley!
•one of the most remarkable women of the world, who has tra-
velled all over the country with her curious Collection of Wax-
works. These figures hav« been gathered, at great expense,
from every clime and country, and are here shown together for
the first time. I shall describe each one of them for your
'benefit, and shall order my assistants to bring some of them
forward, so you can see them to advantage. After I have
4jiven you the history of each one of thi* stupendous Collection^
6 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
I shall have each one of them wound up, for thry are all fitted
\vith clockworks inside, and they can tlms go through the
same motions they did when living. In fact, they do their
movements so naturally, that many people have supposed them
to be alive ; but I assure you that they are all made of wood
and wax, blockheads every one.
Without further prelude, I shall now introduce to your
notice each one of my figures, beginning, as usual, with the-
last one first.
THE CHINESE GIANT.
This figure is universally allowed to be the tallest figure
in my collection ; he originated in the two provinces of Oolong
and Shang-high, one province not being long enough to pro-
duce him. On account of his extreme length it is impossible
to give any adequate idea of him in . one entertainment;
consequently he will be continued in our next.
He was the inventor, projector, and discoverer of Niagara.
Falls, Bunker Hill Monument, and the Balm of a Thousand
Flour "Barrels." In fact, everything was originally discovered
by him or some other of the Chinese. They are a cue-rious
people, especially those who live in Peek-in. The portrait of
this person, who was a high dignitary among them, may be
often seen depicted on a blue china plate, standing upon a
bridge, which leans upon nothing at neither end, intently
observing two birds which are behind him in the distance.
Wind up the Giant.
MOVEMENT. — The Giant bows low, then wags his head
three times, and bows as before, aaid after a dozen motions
slowly stops.
You will observe that I have spared no expense in pro-
curing wonders of every sort, and here is my crowning effort,
or chef-do over-
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 7
THE CURIOUS TWO-HEADED GIRL.
A remarkable freak of Nature, which impresses the beholder
with silent awe. " Observe the two heads and one body."
•:< See these fair faces, each one lovelier than the other," No
•ae can gaze upon them without a double sensation 4; of sorrow
and of joy" — sorrow that such beauty and grace .vas ever
united, and joy that he has had the pleasure of contemplating
their union.
Wind them up.
MOVEMENT. — This figure is made by two young ladies
wrapped in one large skirt. They hold their arms out with
their hands hanging, which shake as if loose when they are
wound up.
John, bring out the Sewing Woman, and let the ladies
behold the unfortunate seamstress who died from pricking
her finger with her needle while sewing on Sunday. You see
that the work which she holds is stained with gore, which
drips from her finger to the floor, which is poetry! This
forms a aad and melancholy warning to all heads of families
immediately to purchase one of Wheeler and Wilson's sewing-
machines, for this accident never could have happened had she
not been without one of those excellent machines, as no family
should be.
ilovEMENT. — When wound this figure sews very stiffly and
stops slowly.
John then carries her back to her place.
To the heads of families in my au.tience it is only neces-
sary to point out my next figure, for she will at once be recog-
nised by them as their principal support in times of distress —
the children's friend, the parent's assistant, the mother's hope,
Mrs. G A. Winslow * nurse of thirty years' standing. She
8 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
holds in her hand a bottle of that wonderful syrup which has
soothed the sorrows of so many suffering sisters. I cannot do
better justice to this remarkable fluid than by quoting a few
stanzas from the celebrated comic poet Ossian in his great
melodramatic poem of "Marmion" — "Soothing Syrup adds
new lustre to the cheek of beauty, smooths the wrinkles from
the furrowed brow of age, and is ^so excellent for chilblains."
Wind up this figure, John, and show the ladies the natural
manner in which this delicious dose is administered. " Children
cry for it," and the baby which she carries in her left arm
would cry if her crier was not out of order, but I have given
orders to have it re-leathered next week, when if you come
again you will have the pleasure of hearing it cry as natural
as life.
MOVEMENT. — Mrs. "Winslow tosses the baby with her left
arm and plies the bottle with her right.
Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to call your attention to
this beautiful group, which has lately been added at an enor-
mous expense to my Collection. You here behold the first
privateer and the first victim of his murderous propensities.
Captain Kidd, the robber of the main, supposed to have
originated somewhere Down East. His Afliole life being spent
upon the stormy deep, he amassed an immense fortune, and
buried it in the scwid along the flower-clad banks of Cape Cod,
by which conrse he invented the Savings Banks, now so
common along shore. Having hidden away so much property,
which, like so many modern investments, never can be un-
eartlicd, he was known as a great sea-cretur. Before him
kneels his lovely and innocent victim, the Lady Blousabella
Infantina, who was several times taken and murdered by the
bloodthirsty tyrant, which accounts for the calm look of resig-
nation depicted upon her lovely countenance. Perhaps some of
you may remember the good old song written by the Captain,
where he relates in highly expressive language his treatment of
this young lady's lover
"Of his heart 1 made a stew, and I made her eat it tool"
Wind 'em up, John.
MOVEMENT. — The Captain's sword moves up and down, and
the Victim's arms go in unison.
THE FEEJEE MERMAID.
In this beautiful combination of nature and art you behold
united the body of a beautiful woman and a beautiful fish.
This specimen of the codfish aristocracy is considered rather a
scaly one. Her chief amusement when alive was to sit upon
a high rock and allure sailors to destruction by her sweet
songs, which always drew well. She used to comb her hair
often, and when wound up she will give you a specimen of her
manner of doing it.
MOVEMENT. — The Mermaid is then wound up, and she
combs her hair and looks in a small glass which she holds in
her hand.
John, bring out the Maniac.
Martha Bangs, the miserable maniac who poisoned fourteen
families by giving them pickled walnuts, and then wandered
about from house to house observing the effect of the pesti-
ferous pickles. She holds in her right hand the fatal jar which
has plunged so many happy families into the deepest despair;
you will observe also the wild confusion of iileas expressed by
her raving locks. The dreadful deeds of this frantic young
woman have proved fertile subjects for the pens of many
gifted authors. Jt is of tUU classic figure that the poet Burns
10 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
speaks in his comic poem of u Casablanca." To use the words
of the lamented John Phoenix, " Face while as the driven
snow, hair black as the driven charcoal."
John, wind up the Maniac.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up she tears her hair with lelt
hand, and moves pickle jar up a/»4 down with her right hand.
The Wonderful Siamese Twins compose the nGjC
These remarkable brothers lived together in the greatest
harmony, though there was always a bone of contention,
between them. They were never seen apart, such was their
brotherly fondness. They married young, both being opposed
to a single life. The short one is not quite so tall as hrs
brother, although their ages are about the same. One of them
was born in the island of Borneo, the other on the southern;
extremity of Cape Cod.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up they begin to fight, continue
for a moment, and stop suddenly.
MRS. J. Bring out that Boy. Fix his arms in position.
The assistants arrange the Boy's limbs, which move stiffly,.
as if on joints.
This Boy, ladies and gentlemen, had the extreme foolishness
to stand upon the burning deck. Turning to look in the
direction " whence " Albut " he had fled," his head became
completely turned, bO that he was picked up insensible frorr.
among the burning embers, and his face has been firmly fixed1
the wrong way ever since. This figure stands as a warning ta
all children who have the old-fashioned habit of obeying their
parents, for had this lad been brought up in the modern styJe,
the very fact of his being commanded by the old gentleman tu
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 11
remain, would, doubtless, have induced him to run away, and
so his life would have been saved.
"Wind up the Boy.
MOVEMENT.— When wound up the Boy tries to turn his
head, but his whole body revolves on his heel.
MRS. J. Put the Boy back again.
John puts the Boy in place and hia arms in position as
before.
THE CELEBRATED WELSH DWAKR
This wonderful child has created some interest in the
medical and scientific world, from the fact that he was thirteen
years old when he was born, and kept on growing older and
older until he died at the somewhat advanced age of twa
hundred and ninety-seven, in consequence of eating too freely
of pies and cakes, his favourite food. He measured exactly 21
feet and 7 inches from the crown of his head to the sole of his-
foot, and 2 feet and 10 inches from the sole of his foot to the
crown of his head. Was first discovered 10 miles from any
land, and 12 miles from any water, making the enormous total
of 91, which figure was never before reached by any previous
exhibition.
Wind up the Dwarf.
MOVEMENT. — Dwarf eats very stiffly with a large spoon in
his right hand ; he holds a bowl in his left hand, which falls on
the floor after a moment, and is broken.
MRS. J. John, get your tools and screw on that dwarfs
hand, for it has become so loose that it costs a fortune for the
crockery he breaks.
John screws up the hand, gets a new bowl, and winds up
the figure again.
12 MRS. JARIAY'S WAXWORKS.
MBS. J. Bring forward Clue Beard. Go and get the key
and clasp his hand around it.
John places a key, 3 feet in length, in the hand.
Bluebeard, the well-known philanthropist, the loving father
and tender husband. But little is known of the early history
of this celebrated personage except that his name was Nathan
Beard, and he kept a seminary for young ladies at Walpole,
Mass., There he endeavoured to instil into the female mind
thr^e qualities in which they are so painfully deficient —
•curiosity and love of approbation. Failing, of course, in this,
he became so blue and low-spirited that he was known by the
nickname of ** Bluebeard," which title he bore until his death,
which occurred during the latter portion of his life. In his
hand he holds the instrument which he used throughout his
long and successful career; it will be at once recognised by
every true scholar as the key to Colbum's Arithmetic, Part
Third.
"Wind him up and set him back.
MOVEMENT. — Bluebeard lifts the key and bowa.
Bring out the Vocalist.
I now call your attention to the most costly of all ray
•figures. This wonderful automaton singer represents Signorina
Squallini, the unrivalled Vocalist, whose notes are current
in every market, and sway all hearts, at her own sweet will.
Wind her up, and let her liquid notes pour forth.
MOVEMENT. — She gesticulates wildly, and sings a few notes
in a very extravagant manner, then stops with a hoarse sound.
MRS. J. John, this figure needs oiling. Why do you not
.attend to your duties better ?
John gets oil can which he applies to each ear of the figure,
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 13
who strikes a high note, and sings with much expression and
many thrills, then makes a gurgling sound as if running down,
and is carried back to place.
In this group, Ladies and Gentlemen, you see a beautiful
and improving example of what perfection can be attained by
machinery and genius combined. It represents Jack Spratt
and his economical and loving wife, who adapted her tastes
to those of her husband so skilfully that nothing was ever
wasted in that well-ordered household. As we are assured
by the talented quill of Mother Goose, one of this loving couple
devoured all the fat, the other all the lean meat. So both
were pleased, the board was cleared, and the dishes washed
in peace and harmony, a condition of things which many
housekeepers would be wise to imitate.
MOVEMENTS. — They are wound up together, and each alter-
nately raises plate to lips and lowers it again.
To an audience of such cultivation as the ono before me it
seems almost unnecessary to describe this figure. Who does
not recognise it at once as Lord Byron, as he appeared when
composing his celebrated novel of the Coarsehatr ?
This wonderful poem ranks in the public estimation with
the following well-known works: — What's on the Mind, Locke
on the Understanding ', and The Pleasures of Imagination, by
Aiken Side. lie holds in his arms his favourite child Harold.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up he turns his head, writes on
a book which lies in his lap, and tosses child with his left arm.
THE LIVE YANKEE.
vou lure behold a specimen of an irrepressible, indomitable
native Yrr.kee, who has been everywhere, seen everything,
and knows everybody. He has explored the arid juries of
14 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
Africa, and draw» forth the spotted cobra by his prehensile
tail, snowballed the Russian bear on the snowy slopes of Alpine
forests, and sold wooden nutmegs to the unsuspecting innocents
of Patagonia. He has peddled patent medicines ia the desert
of Sahara, and hung his hat and carved his name on the
extreme top of the North Pole. The only difficulty I find in
describing him is that I cannot tell what he cannot do. 1 will
therefore set him in motion, as he hates to be quiet.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up he pushes his hat back on his
head and begins to whittle.
THE OLD-FASHIONED SEWING-MACHINE.
Here is the or'.ginal and best of these home comforts,
which flourished long before Howe knew how to think, and
when Baker was unbaked. She is a Singer and a sweet one.
Not a weed lately sprung up, but a family favourite of long
standing. Her fair fingers sewed the unbending breeches of
the staunch old Puritan, and the simple garb of the gentle
Quaker so strong in the faith. With such a sewing-machine in
the house, home will be made happy, and gentle peace with
dove-like wings will brood over the house-top. So be it! It
is needless to follow this thread of remark ; every one but a
stupid old bachelor knows these facts, and he, poor fool ! does
not know much of anything but sorrow. Imagine him sewing
on his wretched bufrions and pining for the sweet companion-
ship of such a household treasure.
MOVEMENT. — When wound she darns a stocking.
Here you behold a curious Cannibal from the Feejee Islands,
first discovered by Captain Cook, who came very near being
cooked by him. In that case the worthy Captain would never
have completed his celebrated voyage around the world. This
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. .15
individual was greatly interested in the cause of foreign
missions, as he received the missionaries gladly, and gave
them a place near his heart. He was finally converted by a
very tough colporteur who had been brought up in a New
York boarding house, and induced to become civilised. One
of his evidences of a change of life was shown by his state-
ment that he now had but one wife like the English. " What
have you done with thp other twelve which you said you had a
month ago?" asked the colporteur. " Oh, I have ate them!"
replied the gentle savage. This Cannibal was very fond of
children, especially those of a tender age ; he holds in his
hand a war club with which he prepared his daily meals, and
a piece of a war hoop, which is an original one.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up he brandishes his club and
raises hoop to his mouth.
THE BACHELOR AND HIS FUTURE WIFE.
You here behold an example of the moving power of true
love. This unfortunate bachelor lived alone in the country a
prey to rats, mice, and remorse, so to merge his little ills in a
greater he decides to go to London to get a wife. Now this
was many years ago, and the great metropolis of London was
but a small city with narrow lanes like those of Boston. So
he was compelled to bring his wife home in a primitive carnage
with one wheel, and no horse. This sUows how much a man
can be led to do for a loving affectionate wife. Observe the
careless grace with which she carries her gay parasol, and the
steadfast face of her true-hearted swain. Many a modern belle
marries like her for the sake of a carriage.
Wind them up, John.
MOVEMENT. — When wound, he wheels his wife slowly for»
ward and backwardt and finally tips her over.
18 MRS. JA RLE YfS WAXWORKS.
MOTHER GOOSE
The immortal poetess, whose songs furnish the first nourishment
and inspiration to our tender minds, and whose words of wisdom
sustain our feeble footsteps as they tottef towards the grave.
Who can forget her if they would, or would if they could ?
So full of tender grace and poetic imagery, her works hush the
critic's tongue, and deprive Envy of her sting. What gentle
admonition to the epicure is conveyed by her stanzas to the
rapacious hen, and to the glutton who proposed to put on the
pot after mealtime was over; what tender reproach in the
allusion to the elopement of the erring dish with the young
spoon. What satire can better reach the hard heart of the
office-holder than the sly hit about " the cat's in the creampot,
she can't see?" What can move the impenitent heart more
strongly than the fate of the hardened sinner who was thrown
down in such a disgraceful manner because " he would not say
his prayers ? " But to such a name as hers my poor words can
add nothing, so I will wind her up and let her speak for herself.
MOVEMENT. — When wound, she flaps her wings and hisses.
The particular attention of young ladies who are too much
given to levity is called to this fignre, the Unfortunate Giggler.
This poor girl when young had acquired an unfortunate habit
of laughing, which grew upon her as she grew up. The
slightest event would make her laugh immoderately, and she
was so reduced at last that she could smile at the dreary plati-
tudes of the comic newspapers. Everything was the subject of
her foolish smiles : even young men could draw them from her
as they passed. Instead of following the advice of the im-
mortal Shakspeare, and finding "sermons in stones," every
<*tone was for her a grin-stone whichever way she turned. She
was finally choked while laughing at her meals, and this figure
of her illustrates the truth of the following exquisite couplet
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 17
>y*ome poet, whose name has slipped from my memory, y*t
frhose golden words will never slip from my mind :•—
" Laughing girls and crowing hens
Never come to no good ends."
Wind her up, John, and let her laugh.
MOVEMENT. — Figure smiles sweetly, then laughs loudly,
and stops suddenly.
OLD KING COLE,
Sometimes known as the Merry Monarch. Yon here behold
the personification of philosophy and good humour, a man
schooled in adversity, and a contradiction to the oft-repeated
statement of the poet, "Uneasy is the head that wear 3 a crown." '
On the statement of his gifted biographer we rely , for history
says that " Old King Cole was a jolly old soul," and that he
was also a patron of music we have no doubt, for we learn that
he employed three fiddlers to beguile his soul with their
entrancing harmony. I blush to say, however, that he was not
a teetotaller, for he was addicted to the pipe and the flowing
bowl, which may, perhaps, account for his good spirits. He
was rich, no doubt, for, to this day, every one interested in
coal makes money fast. He may be called hard Cole, as he
led a very convivial life, and when he is wound up you will see
him smoke vigorously.
MOVEMENTS. — He places the pipe in his mouth, then takes it
out, and rolls his eyes as if in great enjoyment.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the original Contraband, the
;ause and effect of much of the agitation of modern times.
Being rather short, you may think " he is not a tall black,"
but he is an original Guinea negro, as he cost me a guinea in
London at the World's Fair, where he was purchased. In a
18 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
state of slavery the original of this figure was dull, but on
being made free he acquired a polish of manner which he com-
municated to boots and shoes at ten cents each. He is a fine
musician, and can play the banjo to perfection. He served
gallantly in the war as a sutler, and never was known to turn
pale at the sight of danger. When wound up he will execute
one of the war dances in which his nation exults over a fallen
foe ; it is known as " Jump Jim Crow."
MOVEMENT. — When wound up he dances grotesquely.
In the next group you behold the Babes in the Wood, who
had the misfortune to have an uncle. This wicked man hired
a villain to carry these babes away into the wood and leave
them to wander until death put an end to their sorrow, and the
little robins, covered them up with leaves. These life-like
figures represent the children just after taking their leaves of
the villain. By a master stroke of genius the artist has shown
very delicately that human nature is not utterly depraved,
for the villain has placed in the hand of each of the innocents
a dough-nut as a parting present. I have been often asked
'* why I did not have a figure of the villain also added to tha
group?" but my reply always is, "Villains are too common to
be much of a curiosity."
Wind 'em up, John.
MOVEMENTS. — Each one offers to the other a bite of dough-
nut alternately.
Here you behold Little Red Riding Hood, a model of grand-
filial devotion, for she was so fond of her granny that she wan-
dered through the forest to take the old lady's luncheon, and
was eaten by the wolf for so doing, which is a warning to all
children to be careful how they do much for their grand-
mothers, unless they a-re rich and can leave them something
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 1&
in their wills. This personage was an especial favourite with
children, who love to read about her, and shed tears over
her unhappy fate, although some of them think that had she
been as bright and well-read as her dress ahe wonld have been
too smart to have mistaken the wolf for her grandmother,
unless she had been a very homely old lady, or he had been
better-looking than most wol\ ss.
MOVEMENT — When wound up she curtseys and holds out
her baskot.
THE FAIR ONE WITH GOLDEN LOCKS.
This is one of the most expensive of my costly Collection,
for blonde hair is very high, and you see how heavy and long
are the golden locks which adorn her beautiful face. I cannot
pass this figure without saying a few words in praise of the
wonderful Hair-restorative, for this image had grown so bald
from the effect of long journeys in the cars, that she was
exhibited for two years as the Old Man of the Mountain. One
bottle of the wonderful fluid, however, restored her hair to its
present growth and beauty, and a little of the fluid being
accidentally spilled upon the pine box in which the figure was
carried, it immediately became an excellent Hair-trunk. For
the truth of this story I refer you to John Phoenix, Esq., who
knew all about it at the time.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up she applies the hair-restorative
and curls her hair.
LITTLE BO-BEEP.
In this fascinating figure you observe the effect of yielding
to the too common practice of afternoon naps, This young
woman was a shepherdess, whose true name was Susan
Norval, and she fed her father's sheep on the Grampian hills.
Chancing one day to sit down to rest for a moment upon a
20 MRS. JARLEY*S WAXWOiXKS.
poppy-bed, she was so overcome by the drowsy fragrance as to
be compelled to close her lovely eyes in sleep. When she
awoke she was much alarmed to find that her flock of fleecy
warblers had vanished. Determined to find them by hook or
by crook she wandered away for miles, and finally gave up her
search, and returned sadly home without them. Imagine
her joy when, on reaching home disconsolate, she found her
precious charges safely arrived before her, cutting mutton
capers, but on closer inspection she found them tailless. She
ordered some modem tales at once from a well-kown author,
and, fastening them on, was the first retailer of mutton. The
man who cut off their tails was the originator of mutton
chops.
MOVEMENT. — When wound she opens her eyes and shuts
them, and waves her crook, as if beckoning to her absent
sheep.
MRS. JARLEY'S CLOSING- SPEECH.
You have all gazed with rapture upon my wonderful Col-
lection, and your bewildered senses may now prepare for a new
sensation, as I am about to wind up all these beautiful and
life-like figures at once, so you can see them all work together
in harmony.
John, set all the Waxworks going.
I thank you for your attention and attendance, ana cordially
invite you all to come again to-morrow and see " Jarley's far-
famed Waxworks."
MOVEMENTS. — All the figures being wound up at once go
through their motions in unison, until curtain falls.
MRS. JAHLET'S WAXWORKS. XI
THE ANTIQUE CHAMBER
JLATELT ADDED TO MRS. JARLEY's FAR-FAMED WAXWORK SHOW.
MRS. JARLEY, having purchased eight costly Marble Statues,
offers to her patrons among the " nobility and gentry" a sight
of these classic models of the following mythological per-
fionages : —
JUPITER. — Holds thunderbolt • sits upon a white throne.
JUNO. — Sits by his side. ..--» ,»•
BACCHUS. — Sits upon a cask holding grapes.
MINERVA. — Wears a helmet and holds a teapot.
APO/.LO.— Holds a lyre.
HEBE. — A young lady ; holds a vase or cup.
MARS. — A large man ; holds a shield and spear.
CUPID. — A small fat loy ; holds a bow and arrow.
They are draped in white sheets, their arms are covered with
stocking-legs, sewed to white cotton gloves, which cover their
bands.
Tile properties which they hold are covered with white cloth,
and their faces are chalked with lily white, put on dry.
Mrs. Jarley curtseys to audience, and speaks as follows :—
Having just purchased some Statues to add to my far-famed
"Waxwork Show, I have the honour to introduce to your notice
this wonderful Collection of Antique Marbles, lately discovered
22 MI;S. JAKLEY'S WAXWORKS.
by an old gentleman called Pa Nassus, as he was feeding hi
father's flock on the steep sides of Mount Olympus.
These life-like figures are fac-similes of the distinguished
personages whom they represent
In the centre of the group you behold Jew Peter, the
original old-clothes man, and founder of the fraternity of brokers.
At an early age he narrowly escaped destruction by being eaten
out of house and home by his rapacious father, from which sad
fate he was saved by his mother, who concealed him in a cave
in Crete, where he was sustained by a cretur of the goat species.
He has many worshippers in modern times, who often are heara
to call upon his name in the words " By Jupiter I" and " By
Jove I" He holds thunderbolts in his right hand to show that
he was the originator of the electric telegraph.
By his side sits his lovely Miss Juno, the sharer of his joys
and sorrows, and also of his thunderbolts, for which close and
chemical affinity she is sometimes known as the oxide, and not,
as many scholars have supposed, from the sheep's eyes cast at
her during the progress of their early attachment.
The figure on her right represents a divinity now almost
unknown to mankind, although he had many devotees until the
Prohibitory Law abolished for ever the worship of Bacchus.
The manner of this ceremony was probably as follows : —
The officiating priest stands behind a long altar or bah, as
it was called in the ancient Hebrew tongue.
When the worshipper enters he makes his sacrifice by
placing an obelus, or small coin, upon the altar or bah, then
piously raises to his lips the libation, which is poured out by
the attendant minister.
MINERVA, the patron of spinsters, and consequently of
wisdom. She holds in her right hand the greatest means of
creating and disseminating information, the urn in which i&
brewed the famous Soavelah broth, signified by the raystio
letter T
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 23
The power of this pernicious beverage upon the minds of
her priestesses is so great, that when they are gathered in a
sewing circle in her honour, the very first cup inspires in them
a lively interest in the affairs of their neighbours. The second
causes them to greatly magnify the facts, and the third inflames
their imaginations so that the wildest calumnies are put in
circulation.
APOLLO, the patron of poets and tyres, which are not always
united, however. He practised medicine with success at Delos,
for which reason the duck is sacred to him as the first quack.
He raised the walls of Troy, and thus brought down the house
by his music. He was the sun of the universe and also of
Jupiter.
MARS, the god of war and guardian of all good children
who mind their ma's. His own son, however, gave him a good
deal of trouble, for Uupid was always anxious to evade the
watchfulness of Mars.
HEBE, the cup-bearer of Jove. As she was a young woman
many critics have supposed her name to have been a miss-print,
and that it should be read Shebe. Having broken too much
crockery, like many a modern handmaid she was dismissed
from service.
CUPID. — This little imp was sent into the world to mislead
and torment mortals. Being blind he seldom sends his shafts
croperly, for
" Many a sad and wretched heart,
When wounded sore by Cupid's dar^
Finds out, alas ! his lass not smitten.
Hymen's white kid a worsted mitten,
And many a lass must learn tc know
Her beau ideal no ideal beau."
As you have patronised my Exhibition so well this evening,
24 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
contrary to my usual custom I shall wind up these ponderous
marbles by means of a crank, and you will see them go through
their motions in a very life-like manner.
MOVEMENTS. — As a handle at R. is turned, jupiter shakes
thunderbolts at Juno, who throws up her hands, Bacchus rocks.
on the cask and waves his grapes over his head, Minerva pours
tea, Apollo strikes his lyre, Mars points his spear, Hebe
passes the cup, Cupid aims with bow.
Mrs. Jarley curtseys low as
CURTAIN FALLS.
MBS. TABLET'S WAXWOBKS.
CONTENTS OF PART II.
CHAMBER OP BEAUTY :— Opening Speech of Mrs. Jarley— Sleeping
Beauty and the Prince — Queen Eleanor and Fair Rosamond — John
Alden and Priscilla — Rebecca and Rowena — Alonzo the Brave and
Fair Imogene — The Gracchi — Beatrice Cenci. CHAMBER OP HORRORS: —
Mrs. Jarley's Speech — Medusa — Violante — Vampire — Father Time —
Savage and his Flying Victim — Ruffian disarmed by a smile — Spoiled
Child — Bearded Woman — Man Monkey, HISTORICAL CHAMBER: — Mrs
Jarley's Speech — Joan of Arc — Robin Hood — Alexander the Great —
Robinson Crusoe — King Alfred — Diogenes — Man with the Iron Mask —
Nero — King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid. SHAKESPERIAN CHAMBER: —
Mrs. Jarley's Speech— Lady Macbeth— Titania — Ophelia— Juliet— King
Le»r — lieruiioue — Richard II L
MRS. JARLEY'S
FAR-FAMED
COLLECTION OF WAXWORKS,
PART II.
AS ARRANGED BY
G. B. BARTLETT, OF CONCORD, MASS.,
AND PERFORMED BY AMATEURS UNDER HIS DIRECTION
FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN MOST * OF THE
CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
With full Directions for their Arrangement, Positions > Movements,
Costumes, and Properties.
THE CHAMBER OF BEAUTY.
THE CHAMBER OF HORRORS.
THE HISTORICAL CHAMBER.
THE SHAKESPERIAN CHAMBER,
LONDON :
SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD.,
PUBLISHERS,
89, STRAND.
NEW YORK:
T. HENRY FRENCH,
PUBLISHER,
28, WEST 23BD STREET.
PESCRIPTIVE ^REFACE.
THE great demand for the first volume of this popular
Entertainment has caused the preparation of Part II.,
which contains an entirely new set of figures. The best
way to exhibit them is in small collections or chambers,
with a pause for music between, in case any -;>f the same
actors are required to appear again in a new part. • Mrs.
Jarley may be played by any lady of good voice and con-
fidence. The descriptions are sometimes given by one of
the assistants, while Mrs. Jarley attends to arranging and
winding up the figures. Little Nell is also often intro-
duced to assist her. Before the description of any figure,
it should be brought forward by the two assistants, one of
whom places little wedges to keep it upright, and the
other pretends to adjust and oil the joints before winding
up. After movement each figure is carried back to its
position in the semi-circle at the back of the stage, and
all are wound up together after the whole chamber has
been separately exhibited, and all move in concert until
the curtain falls. The noise of winding is made with a
watchman's rattle, and a lively air should be played on
the piano during the movement, an account of which wiU
be found at the end of the description of each figure.
antr
MRS. JARLEY. — Black stuff dress with chintz tucket skirt, enormous
bonnet, gaily trimmed, gaudy shawl ; she has a fan and
duster.
JOHN and PETER. — Two large men in livery with powdered hair ;
they have hammer, nails, screwdriver, and oil-can.
THE CHAMBER OF BEAUTY.
CLEOPATRA. — Yellow satin skirt, loose white waist, with gilt orna-
ments and jewels, crown and coin pendants • she holds a small
snake in the right hand, and a large wax lead in the left.
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY. — Lovely girl in white satin, reclining on
an elegant couch.
THE PRINCE. — Handsome velvet shape dress, hat and plume ; he
holds Beauty's hand.
PRISCILLA. — Grey dress, white kerchief, apron, and high cap ;
hand on spinning wheel.
JOHN ALDEN. — Dark Puritan dress, pointed collar.
PiCBECCA. — Dark lady with showy Oriental costume; holds
casket.
HOWENA. — A blonde lady in wedding costume and veil.
ALOXZO THE CRAVE. — Armour ; face chalked very white.
I.MOGENE. — Very rich dress with shoulder train.
THE MOTIIFR OF THE GRACCHI. — A tall lady in white cotton
statuesque costime ; her right hand extended and her left
encircling tcco buys also dressed in white.
CT.ATRICE CEXCI. — Beautiful dark lady in white dress; head
turned sideways as it is in the picture.
4 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
THE CHAMBER OF HORRORS.
THE ORGAN-GRINDER. — Dark-complexioned man in very shabby
dress, with a hand- organ strapped across his shoulders.
MEDUSA. — Tall lady with very long dark hair much disordered,
dress of white cotton drapery in Grecian style.
VIOLANTE. — Handsome silk dinner dress ; she holds a hug*
mutton lone.
VAMPIRE. — Tall man in Hack costume with a fine handkerchief
drawn tightly over the face to resemble a scull ; holds a long
dagger.
TIME. — Tall man in white tights, $heet drapery, white wig, and
long beard ; holds a scythe.
SAVAGE. — Dress of Indian Chief, with paint, feathers, and
blanket.
THE MAIDEN. — Muslin apron, rustic hat and shawl.
THE SPOILED CHILD. — Very fleshy lady, showily dressed^ seated
on a large rag baby which lies on the chair.
BEARDED WOMAN. — Brilliant silk dress, long black beard.
RUFFIAN. — Large man; red shirt, ragged pants tucked in old
boots ; holds a dab.
THE SMILER. — A very pretty lady in handsome walking dress.
THE MAN MONKEY. — Very foppish dress, white hat, cane, and
eye-glass.
THE HISTORICAL CHAMBER.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. — Spanish costume ; holds telescope.
JOAN OF ARC. — White armour waist, red skirt, helmet; holds
gridiron, steak, and fork.
ROBINSON CRUSOE. — Pointed fur cap, fur coat ; holds umbrella.
DIOGENES. — Ragged cloak and hat ; holds lantern and stands on
tub.
^TEito. — Rich Roman costume ; holds violin.
ROBIN HOOD. — Green frock, sword belt, tights; holds a bout
and quiver.
ALEXANDER. — Red robe trimmed with ermine ; crown and sword.
KING ALFRED. — Purple robe trimmed with gilt lace; crown /
has oat-cake.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 5
MAN WITH IRON MASK. — Black suit with cape; Hack tight-
fitting mask,
KING COPHETUA. — Rich shaped dress very showily trimmed.
THE BEGGAR MAID. — Very pretty girl in ragged calico dress.
THE SHAKESPERIAN CHAMBER.
RICHARD No. 3. — Suit of armour; holds sword; sits on a
rocking horse.
LADY MACBETH. — Long loose white robe; holds candle.
OPHELIA. — White muslin dress covered with flowers ; wreath in
hand.
LEAR. — Ermine role covered ivtth patches; long white wig /
holds staff.
HERMIONE. — Statuesque white drapery ; white cotton wig.
TITANIA. — Lovely little girl; white gauze dress, spangled}
holds wand.
JULIET. — White loose lawn dress ; holds small phial
FOB MOTIONS, Sfifi HOTS AFTIK EACH DESCRIPTION.
MRS. JARLETS
FAR-FAMED
COLLECTION OF WAXWORKS.
THE CHAMBER OF BEAUTY,
MRS. JARLEY'S SPEECH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : you here behold my far-famed
Chamber of Beauty, which has fascinated the gaze of thousands,
and caused millions of envious mortals to expire with jealousy,
at the vain attempt to rival its peerless splendors. All other
collections are base imitations of this, the only original chamber,
to obtain beautiful fac-similes for which the entire civilized
world has been scoured. We shall begin with Cleopatra, the
beautiful Queen of the Nile, and the beloved of Marc Antony,
whom she compelled to toe the mark. She holds in one hand
the costly pearl, with which she preserved her beauty ; and in
the other, the deadly asp, with which she destroyed it. Having
been endowed by nature with great personal charms, she spared
no pains to preserve them. On one occasion sne swallowed a
massive pearl for this purpose, having first crushed it, which
was the origin of peari powder. She was a modest young
female, and inspired the touching lines of Dr. "Watts—
" A violet by a mossy stone,
Half hidden from the eve."
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 7
The same poet goes on to tell of the purl, which she loved to
quaff, as follows —
" Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear."
Her long life of unassuming usefulness was thus sadly
brought 'to a close. The Emperor Caesar attempted to seize
her, and carry her off — but she said " she would die before she
would forsake her Marc." She resolved to take her life as she
was taken prisoner — but to many this would have seemed
difficult, as she was closely watched. She was very cunning,
and employed a seedy old Roman peasant called Rusticus, to
bring her an asp in a basket of figs. This asp is a poisonous
serpent, and its sting causes immediate death in the course of
time. She bit herself with it and expired.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up, Cleopatra places the asp
against her neck with the left, and lifts the pearl to her lips
with the right hand, continuing the motion twelve times, then
suddenly stopping ; after which she is lifted back to her place by
the attendants.
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY AND THE PRINCE.
You here behold a young woman of the name of Miss Ann
S. Tethia, who was remarkable for her great powers of sleeping.
So remarkable were her talents in this direction, that she has
been known to fall asleep even in church. One day she was
induced to take a dose of ether by the advice of a celebrated
dentist, who advertised " teeth extracted with great pains."
The ether not being strong enough, however, he was obliged to
call in a celebrated doctor of divinity, the soporific effect of
whose discourses no one was able to withstand. Under the
combined influence of the two opiates, she fell asleep so soundly
that the report of a cannon, and other gentle means, guch as the
report of her engagement, failed to rouse b;y although the latter
8 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
will rouse almost any young lady. She was finally awakened by
that most cheering of all stimulants, the kiss of love. A young
Prince happened to pass that way in search of a silent partner,
for his father's well-known firm of Prince & Co. On behold-
ing her he was so struck by her quiet beauty that he fell in love
with her at once. He was looking for a quiet wife ; and, as
she could not speak, he thought she would answer, and so asked
her consent at once. He took her lily-white hand in his, and,
raising it to his lips, imprinted upon it the kiss of true love, at
which the young woman aroused, and hit him a rousing box on
the ear, in a truly womanly manner. The Prince was so struck
by this striking proof of her attachment, that he offered her his
hand, which she look, and they were married, with great
solemnity, by the aforesaid D.D., the fair bride taking three
naps during the ceremony.
John, wind up the Beauty.
MOVEMENTS. — The Prince lifts the hand to his lips ; the
Beauty slowly rises, and gives him a blow on the ear ; the whole
being repeated twelve times.
QUEEN ELEANOR AND FAIR ROSAMOND.
This stately personage is Queen Eleanor, who, though sur-
rounded with every luxury and grandeur, was far from being
happy, as she was a prey to the green-eyed monster jealousy,
which has undermined the happiness of many a woman, and in
its ravages spares neither the palace of pomp or the humble
hovel of obscurity. This interesting young woman by her side
is the fair Rosamond, who was far from fair, as &he used all her
arts to win the affections of the King, who played his cards to
please her, especially his best bower, as he built for her an in-
genious labyrinth. Here he concealed his lovely Rose, in order
that she might "blush unseen" from every eye, especially that
of Eleanor, the queen of his kingdom, though not of his soul.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 9
Jealousy is very searching, as you are probably aware, and the
Queen sought everywhere for her rival. Finding her at length,
with great good nature she offered her a choice of the dagger or
the poisoned bowl. Observe the determined manner in which the
Queen alternately offers her shrinking victim the deadly doses.
Fair Rosamond, however, decidedly prefers life even to such a
royal death. She is supposed to remark, " I would not die in
spring-time," as she politely declines both queenly offers.
MOVEMENTS. — John winds up these two figures after having
brought them to the front of the stage. Eleanor turns to Rosa-
mond, offering in turn the bowl and the dagger, which she
pushes away.
JOHN ALDEN AND PRISCILLA.
This beautiful group illustrates a touching event which oc-
curred among the aborigines of North America, a small country
in the unknown region of the New World. Miles Standish, a
valiant captain of Plymouth, fell in love with the beautiful
maiden Priscilla, and was very anxious to marry her. Being
closely confined in camp, he had not time to court, so he re-
quested his secretary, John Alden, to go and do his courting for
him. John went much against his will, and did the best he
could, considering that he was also in love with Priscilla. She,
like a prudent woman, naturally preferred the present, and
knowing that the absent captain was Miles away, she inter-
rupted the urgent arguments which he was making in favour of
his friend with the arch remark, " Why don't you speak for
yourself, John ?' John took her advice at once, and spoke so
well that he became engaged to the fair maiden himself. The
gallant captain was much enraged at this little episode, which
he considered a breach of confidence, or rather a pair of breaches,
as both had conspired to deceive him. But as he could not help
10 MES. JARLEY'S WAX WORKS.
it, he concluded to forgive them, and to give them his blessing
and a pewter platter to begin housekeeping with.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up, Priscilla spins on the wheel
and casts a loving glance at John Alden, who looks sheepishly
at her and twirls his hat in his hand.
"REBECCA AND ROWENA.
You behold two types of contrasted beauty in these two
lovely female figures, one very dark and the other very fair.
Both fell in love with the same man, who made light of the
feelings of the dark one. If he had been a true knight he
would have preferred the dark, but he married the light one, and
kept dark about it. Now Rebecca, the brunette, was a Jew
and being made sick by the news of the marriage became a Jew
ill, and acted like one, for instead of yielding to jealousy she
was so noble as to forgive her rival, whose name was Rowena.
As soon as she recovered, she took a casket which she did not
require, having survived her illness. In this she packed all her
jewels, and packed off to the house of Rowena. Kneeling at
her feet she said she would give them all for a sight of the face
that had won her true love away. Rebecca urged so strongly
that Rowena showed her cheek, and took the jewels.
MOVEMENT. — "When wound up, Rebecca kneels and offers
casket, which Rowena lifts her veil and accepts.
ALONZO THE BRAVE AND THE FAIR IMOGENS.
The unfortunate fate of these tender lovers will always
warn young ladies against yielding to the too common fault of
fickleness. The fair Imogene had promised her lover to be
true to him for ever. He was called away to war ; and,
being of an anxious temperament, begged his lady to give him
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS, 11
her promise never to forsake him. On the eve of his departure
she went so far as to say that she would be true to his memory
alive or dead, and actually swore, that, if ever she forgot his
memory, his ghost should come and bear her away to a warmer
clime. But lovers too often forget their promises ; and, after
Alonzo departed, Imogene began to flirt a little, "as was her
nature to." Alonzo was killed in battle ; and, like too many a
widow, Imogene listened to the pleading of a great baron, and,
as he was very rich, she promised him her heart and hand. The
wedding day came, and the guests were assembled, when sud-
denly the ghost of Alonzo appeared between the bridal couple.
The baron ran away in fear, and the ghost seized Imogene in
his cold arms and bore her away down through the floor to —
where I cannot tell.
In viewing this group, youug ladies must learn not to make
any promises that they cannot keep, and to follow the good old
maxim —
" To be off with the old love before you are on with the new."
John, wind up these figures very gently, as the machinery
is very delicate, especially that, of the Ghost.
v [John sets them in motion.]
MOVEMENT, — The Ghost turns to Imogene and opens his
arms, and she throws up her arms in terror.
THE GRACCHI.
You here behold the mother of the Gracchi and her two
twins, each of whom is a great deal handsomer than the other.
Their ma was a woman from Rome, N. Y., and consequently very
high-minded, which a glance at her figure will establish beyond a
doubt. She was very fond of her children and also of her
money, which facts the following beautiful little historical legend
will prove. When travelling in the East with her offspring, she
was accosted by a philanthropic pedlar and was importuned to
12 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
purchase a package of prize candy, warranted to contain rich
jewels and gold. The noble mother embracing her children,
remarked with scorn, "These are my jewels!" and the boy
went off much faster than his wares. This instance of devoted
love and courage forms the only instance upon record of getting
rid of a car pedlar without buying and getting sold !
MOVEMENT. — When wound, the Mother embraces her
Children, who seem inclined to resent this testimony of her
affection.
BEATRICE CENCI.
A young woman of Italian proclivities, about whom
historians disagree. She was very beautiful, and so naturally
very fond of admiration. She had acquired the habit of looking
backward over her shoulder, to see if she were being admired,
until her head grew so fixed in that position, that it could not
be moved without turning her whole body : so she was con-
sidered very stiff-necked by her homely lady friends. Her pic-
ture was painted in this position by one of the old school-masters
called Giddy, because his head was also turned by this young
woman, whose face he painted, although she protested that she
abhorred " paint 1" As her head could not be turned back into
its proper position, it was thought best to cut it off, which remedy
was efficacious, but rather severe.
MOVEMENT. — When wound the attendants attempt to turn
the head straight, but the body revolves with it*
MRS. JARLEX'3 WAXWORKS. IB
THE CHAMBER OE HORRORS,
MRS. JARLEY'S SPEECH.
<{lF you have tears, prepare to shed them now.*' I quote
these words from another great author as a gentle warning to
the tender-hearted not to be too much overcome by the sights
which they are about to see. In this compartment of my vast
Collection you will find evidences of the weakness and sin of the
world which will interest and admonish, while they entertain
and amuse. To many this portion of my Waxworks is the most
interesting, especially to clergymen and all others who take an
interest in the errors of their fellow-creatures. I shall begin
with a description of the most trying and disagreeable of all
these sinners ; the one who has caused Bible words to rise upon
pious lips, and has bored the patient to excess. You will at
once recognise my culminating horror in this disturber of
domestic peace and destroyer of the placid slumber of old and
young. Need I name —
THE ORGAN-GRINDER.
" When Music, heavenly maid ! was young," in a fit of
indignation at humanity, sue sent forth this monster to afflict
her fellow-creatures,' and gave him a roving commission to
wander from hou? j to house, bearing his instrument of torture.
The wise organ-grinder has a keen sense, which enables him to
discover the homes of the invalid and nervous, and a steadiness
of purpose which keeps him firmly at his post until his silence
is purchased, and he is bribed to move on to the next abode of
suffering. The crowded streets of the city and secluded lanes
of the quiet country are alike haunted by these disturbers of
the public peace, who know so well the value of rest that they
are determined to get a good price for it. In this specimen you
14 MES. JARLEY^S WAXWORKS.
behold a celebrated wanderer, noted for his total disregard of
t'me, tune, and harmony, who calmly bore his inharmonious
music in the proud satisfaction of boring others. You would
also see another monkey which used to accompany him, had
he not died from want of melody and provisions.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up the organ is ground, and
emits most discordant strains, and the Musician smiles, as if
enjoying the music.
MEDUSA.
This figure represents a fabled monster of antiquity, who
seldom combed her hair, which arranged itself in snaky tresses,
and which had the wonderful power of turning all who beheld
them into stone. She did very much mischief in this way,
slaying many tender-hearted people, who became their own
monuments immediately, and originated the idea of grave-
stones. Very little is known of her, and that is not very good.
She made others hard characters, however soft they might be
before she beheld them. We can draw from her appearance a
moral lesson of neatness, and I am also requested to state in
this connection that the best dressing for the hair is the cele-
brated Kallisten, which renders the roughest locks soft and
pliable — one bottle of which might have prevented all this
trouble — price £1 per bottle, for sale at the door.
John, wind up this figure.
MOVEMENT. — When wound, Medusa shakes her head
savagely, and salutes the audience with ^ stony gaze.
VIOLANTE.
Here is a moral lesson to the romantic, and will remind all
not to try to appear better than they rrre. This is Miss Violante,
a young lady of good family and rjreat wealth^ who was not
contented with these substantial gif ;s of fortune, but aspired to a
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 15
reputation for poetry and romance. She knew that there are
many poor poets, and therefore imagined that all poets were
poor, and in order to appear romantic she pretended to have a
most delicate appetite. When in company she would eat very
sparingly of the most refined viands alone, in order to seem ex-
quisite in her taste, and would go home from dinner parties in a
half-famished condition. Then she would rush to the pantry
and seize some substantial food and devour it with the utmost
rapacity. A surprise wa,s prepared for her by a treacherous
servant, which exposed her greediness. The maid opened the
window of the pantry to the gaze of a susceptible youth who
had escorted the fair Violante from a refined banquet where she
had been too fastidious to taste more than a few morsels. He
was on the point of proposing for her hand, thinking it would
cost little to keep such a dainty creature. One look upon his
adorable sylph destroyed at once his budding love and hope.
He beheld her holding a huge joint of cold meat in her lily-
white hand, which she gnawed with her pearly teeth and eat
with the ferocity "of a tigress. All his dreams of economy were
shattered, and he resolved never again to look upon the fair
face of his deceiver. Away he rushed, while the unconscious
Violante devoured her cold mutton with the avidity which her
self-denial had intensified. This touching story has been
exquisitely told in poetry by the great lyric poet Mother
Goose.
Wind up Violante and let her cievour.
MOVEMENT. — When wound, Violante gnaws the bone with
great eagerness.
THE VAMPIRE.
In this hideous creation of German literature you behold
another horrible effect of the desire for raw meat. The vampire
is now very scarce indeed, and in order to procure this figure I
was compelled to draw heavily on my banker and imagination.
16
He was a great lover of young people and used to suck their
life-blood whenever he could kill any. His life continued for
200 years. Having no heart or circulation he was perfectly
heartless and spared none except spare people- When his 200
years of life expired he must die, unless he could get the life-
blood of a young person to drink and also be laid where the rays
of a new moon could fall upon his body and give him a new
lease of life. The whole story is probably all moonshine, but
I purchased this figure in Germany as I wished my Collection to
be as horrid as possible.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up the Vampire points up to the
moon and to his mouth with the left hand as if hungry.
FATHER TIME.
It is useless to describe this figure, or to tell you what it is,
for any of you are old enough to know how to tell Time.
Many have asked how I came to put him into my Chamber of
Horrors ; I reply, in the words of the great comic poet, Thanny
Toplis, " Tims cuts down all, both great and small." Yes, Time
is the great destroyer ! How many of us have vainly hoped that
we could kill Time, but Time always kills us all in time. Yet
Time is a great comforter — it soothes our sorrows with its
soothing syrup, and seasons life with its ever-changing months.
In remembering the steady flight of Time, let us not forget the
touching hymn —
" Life is a shad oh, how it flies !"
John, go and get the scythe. We leave it in the van for
fear of accidents until the time cf exhibiting the figure. Place
the weapon in the hands of Time, wind him up, and let the
audience behold his manner of mowing.
MOVEMENT.— When wound up, Time mows faster and faster,
then suddenly stops.
Oil him up, JoKn. Time is getting old I
MRS. J ALLEY'S WAXWORKS. 17
THE SAVAGE AND HIS FLYING VICTIM.
John, bring forth the Savage !
Here is a fierce North American Savage, christened by a
native bard as Mr. Low, in the line " Lo, the poor Indian !
And this specimen of the race deserves his title, for his tastes
are very low, and his whole nature extremely blood-thirsty.
The fair Maiden was walking in the woods in the pursuit of
winter geen, one lovely summer day, to make some beer, when
she came near finding her bier, in the manner which these
curious conceited figures will exhibit in their actions.
John, bring forward the Maiden, and adjust the running
gear.
When wound, the Maiden flies from the Savage, and
gathering courage, she chases him back again. This movement
she continued, until her lover, a bold trapper, who of course
was near, came up behind and shot Mr. Low, who expired with
great bravery, for full account of which see the Yellow Novels.
MOVEMENT. — When wound, the Maiden rushes forward five
steps, the Savage follows her, then runs backward, and is
pursued by the Maiden. This action is then repeated five times.
THE RUFFIAN DISARMED BY A SMILE.
You here behold a personage with which I hope none of
you are familiar, as the race is now nearly extinct. This is a
Ruffian, and one who, once upon a time — many hundred years
ago — exerted considerable influence in the city government
of an island called Man-hat-on, until the wise and good laws
entirely suppressed him. He is introduced into this Collection
in order to exemplify the power of gentleness over the roughest
nature. The beautiful young lady by his side is an emblem of
gentleness, and on one occasion she had the misfortune to offend
the ruffian. He was about to strike her a heavy blow, but she
18 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
is saved — by what ? A smile ! With great presence of mind
she turns her lovely countenance toward the hideous monster,
and smiles her most winning smile. The hard heart is melted,
the blow falls not, the uplifted arm descends, and she is saved.
Success to smiles ! — Wind them up.
MOVEMENT.— The Ruffian raises his club and is about to
strike, the lady smiles, the arm falls powerless by his side.
THE SPOILED CHILD.
This set of figures illustrates a melancholy accident by which
a charming family was brought to mourn the loss of a lovely
innocent, through the carelessness of a maid servant. This
servant was hired to take charge of the tender infant, the pride
and hope of the family aforesaid, and she was carrying it in her
arms and chanting a lullaby, to the soothing melody of which
and Godfrey's cordial it had gradually sank into a profound
slumber. In a thoughtless moment she gazes out of the window
and beholds her lover, a noble policeman, gazing wistfully up to
the window. Inspired by love she lays the infant enclosed in
its blanket upon an easy chair and runs down to appoint an
evening meeting with her faithful lover. Alas, at the opposite
door a worthy aunt of the babe enters. The day is warm, over-
powered by the heat, the heavy matron backs up to the easy
chair, sits down, and the sleeping babe is spoiled. All its young
hopes crushed by family cares.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up, the Old Lady fans herself,
rises and -sits down.
THE BEARDED WOMAN.
In this singular freak of nature you distinguish the Bearded
Woman ; and you naturally say, " Which attribute of man will
the usurping woman claim for her own next ? They have tried
to gain possession of the positions of honour, business, and
19
labour — so long considered the exclusive right of man — and
now this personage has bearded the lion in his den, and assumed
the hirsute adornments of whiskers and moustache." This spe-
cimen is copied from the actual Bearded Woman, who was a
great living curiosity, and was carried about in a tent, year after
year, and was the delight of little shavers, as well as of the aged
greybeards. See the lovely contrast, as depicted here — the
gentle beauty of the fair sex, ornamented with the strength and
glory of manhood. Who can gaze unmoved upon the spectacle
without also aspiring to be heir to such tender beauty ? It is
barbarous to envy the gifts of another, so we will wind up this
figure, and carry her back out of the reach of inspiring this
temptation.
MOVEMENT. — When wound, the figure combs out her beard.
THE MAN-MONKEY.
Here you behold a figure which is all too common in our
midst, the wonderful union of a man and his ancestral monkey,
that it is indeed hard to distinguish when the man begins and
the monkey ends, if, indeed, it ends at all. Darwin says the
monkey is a parent to us all, if not in us all ; but in this dandi-
fied figure the descent seems to be very decidedly from the
monkey. The common ape would blush to ape the manners of
&uch as he, and would make a better figure in intelligent society.
Th 3 monkey has been well described by a travelling naturalist in
these words, — " The orang-outang lives on the top of the highest
trees and picks nuts with his tail, which is his principal food."
P>ut the man monkey has not the good taste to keep out of sight,
but walks the streets and stands at corners sucking his cane and
squinting through his eye-glass at the ladies, of whom he is the
disgust and horror, for which reason I have added this complete
specimen to my chamber, and wish his whole race could be
wound up as easily as he can be.
MOVEMENT. — When wound, he lifts his eye-glass and sucks
ne.
20 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
THE HISTORICAL CHAMBER.
MUS. JARLEY'S SPEECH.
MANY people have supposed that the mission of waxworks is
only to amuse and to wile away the fleeting hour ; far from it I
"We are inspired to quote from the works of Burke — commonly
called the Sublime. In verse the twenty-third, chapter ninth, of
his greatest work — the Odyssey — occur these words, "Wax
figures elevates the mind, refines the taste, and cultivates the
understanding." Yes my hearers ! mark these last expressions !
cultivates the understanding! for it is to this express purpose
that the chamber which you now behold is devoted. In order
to cultivate your understanding we have prepared, without regard
to any expense, these life-like models of many personages noto-
rious in history, each one of which will be illustrated and ex-
plained in such a manner as to instruct as well as interest.
History should never be made dull. Parents and teachers are
urgently requested to bring their tender charges to this show at
reasonable charges, so that while the pupils of their dear eyes
dilate with wonder and astonishment, their pupils' ideas may
expand in a like manner, and their young hearts thrill with wonder
as their minds gather wisdom day by day as it were from every
passing figure.
We shall Ujgin with the greatest discoverer of ancient
times — except Paul Pry himself, viz.—
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS,
and by listening very attentively to the description of this figure,
you will discover many facts that you never knew before — or
any one else.
a::.s. JA;.LKY';S WAXWOiiivS. 21
John bring out this figure very 5 1 refully, as it is very old.
Now go and get his telescope and adjust it properly, while
I proceed to describe him, giving many facts which I have
learned from a very truthful historian, named Lieman.
Christopher Columbus was the son of his parents, who were
very strict, and made him walk Spanish, to use an Americanism.
He therefore took French leave and ran away to see what he could
see. He came to Court and offered himself to Queen Isabella
as a man who was fully capable of discovering America or any
place she chose. His whole family were discoverers, his own
name was Columbus, his oldest brother Omnibus discovered the
coaches which bear his name and a great many passengers.
His younger brother by accident discovered the Blunderbus, a
firearm which still bears his name. The Queen was so much
pleased with his modest account of his discovering powers that
she furnished him with money for his journey. He set sail in
the year 1492 in a schooner bound for Boston with a load of
Spanish mackarel. Being troubled with head winds he was
carried out of his course and landed at Cuba. Here he was
received with great ceremony by the natives, as he had taken
the precaution to send an ocean telegram in advance. The
Chief advanced to the edge of the beach, tastefully consumed in a
paper collar, and called out — " Whence comest thou ?" A voice
was heard in reply across the waves from the deck of the vessel
— " I am Christopher Columbus, sent by the Queen of Spain to
discover America." " Welcome, discoverer of America," said the
savage, whose name waa !?tmoset. He then travelled all over
the United States, a journey of great danger, especially over the
western railroads, and spent the night in twenty-three towns, all
of which now bear his name. Upon his return he called upon
the Queen, and presented her husband the King with a sugar
cane, with which sweet present they were so much pleased, that
their majesties invited him to make his home in the palace, and
loaded him with riches and
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
Wind up Christopher, and let him discover.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up he lifts the glass to his
and looks through it.
JOAN OF ARC,
A zealous advocate of the rights of women, a brave soldier,,
and a heroine of the first water, whence she was called Jo ANN
OF ARK. She began life in the humble capacity of chamber-maid
at an inn. Being of a restless temperament she used to dream
singular dreams, in which she saw lights, angels, and other high
livers, one of whom brought her a sword as a present and
directed her to fight for her country. She placed herself at the
head of the army, and as women always lead men, she succeeded
finely, and liberated her country from the foreign foe. Being at
last so unfortunate as to fall into the hands of her enemies she
was burned at the stake. To justify this act of cruelty they
pretended that she was a witch, as no common woman could
have beaten them without assistance. It is a pity that many of
the women who try to lead men and aspire to quit their natural
sphere of labour, should not be able to take warning by her
fate, though, perhaps, burning stakes are too warm punishments-
even for them.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up, she turns over a steak on a
gridiron.
ROBINSON CRUSOE, THE HERMIT AND
PHILOSOPHER.
You here behold a personage who was thrown ashore on &
desert island, and managed to get along in a most remarkable
manner by the assistance of a ship, which had the good-nature
to be wrecked just as often as he wished for anything. This
ship seemed to be loaded with an assorted cargo of everything
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 23
on earth, which the wild waves washed up to his feet as often
as he could think of any article which he needed. He had a
man named Friday, who was not as unlucky as his name would
seem to indicate, for he brought good luck to Robinson, and all
his wood and water, too. In fact Friday appears to have done
most of the work, leaving his master much leisure to moralise
on the "footprints on the sands of time" and on many subjects
of a like nature. He was visited on one occasion by a boat-load
of savage cannibals, who invited him to occupy the chief place
at a feast on the board ! He sent his regrets, however, in the
shape of a charge of buckshot, which the natives received with
much regret. The only society he had was that of goats aud
monkeys, which abound too much in most social gatherings.
He first invented the umbrella, which would have been a good
thing if not such a transitory possession.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up, he opens aud shuts his
umbrella.
NERO.
A Roman Emperor — of very low tastes, a bold, bad man, of
cruel and vicious habits. He was a great persecutor of the Early
Christians, whom he tortured in many ways. Such as devouring
them with wild beasts ; covering them with tar, which he set on
fire to illuminate his grounds, thus making light of their suf-
ferings. In order to torment a great many at one time, who
were not his prisoners, he learned to play on the violin, with
which instrument of torture he delighted to torment his fellow-
creatures. He was very fond of fires, as he held no insurance
stock, and one day he set the city on fire, in order to gather a
crowd of people together. He then mounted upon the roof of
his palace shed, and poured forth such strains of music from his
shrieking violin that the people stopped their ears, and went
24 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
away much faster than they came. In this figure you can sea
him as he stands, with his fiddle in his hands.
M His fire-eye in frenzy rolling,
Like a belle his bow controlling ;
When all patience you may lose,
You would think the feline muse
Angry at her lost internal,
Sent from it these sounds infernal."
MOVEMENT.— ^When wound, he fiddles furiously, rolling his
head from side to side.
DIOGENES.
This singular mortal lived in a tub of Greece, not because
he was a fat man, but because he chose a tub to live in to save
house rent, which was very high in Greece at the time. He
was a cynic, which is a very disagreeable person, who goes about
finding fault with his neighbours. He used to carry a lighted
lantern in his hand ; and, when people asked him for a reason
for such light behaviour, he said that he was looking for an
honest man. Greece must have been a very bad place indeed
at that epoch. Diogenes ought to have gone among the brokers
of New York and London, especially those who deal in gold and
copper stocks, if he wanted to find honest men, proof against
temptation and corruption of all sorts. Diogenes belongs to
that very numerous class — the poor and proud, and was more
proud of his rags than many rich men of their best clothes.
This figure warns us never to criticise others, lest we may be
found more at fault than those whose conduct we condemn.
Wind him up, John.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up, Diogenes whirls round on
his heel in the tub, and lifts up his lantern.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 25
ROBIN HOOD.
A green youth, who inhabited the greenwood and lived in
great simplicity for many years cultivating his sentimental tastes
in the pursuit of his deer. During the time of innocence he
was known as Robert, but his name was afterwards changed to
Robin because he took to robbing all travellers who passed
through the forest. He amassed much wealth in this manner,
and a taste for high living gave place to his former simple habits
He kept a celebrated cook whom he named Fryer John, on
account of the skill with which he could fry pancakes, a favourite
woodland delicacy. In this act Fryer John attained such skill
that he could toss the cake in such a manner that it would turn
in the air and come down into the griddle right side up with
care. Robin Hood was celebrated for telling long stones, which
were seldom accurate, and also for shooting with a bow six feet
in length, so at last these two accomplishments became syno-
nymous, and drawing the long bow denoted an extravagant
statement. You here behold him in the act of shooting at a
distant traveller for the purpose of robbing.
MOVEMENT. — When wound, he draws the bow and takes
aim.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
Celebrated for his enormous size, and also for the size he
manifested upon the occasion of one of his greatest battles in
which he had conquered all the neighbours. On the eve of this
great victory, he was observed to be snivelling and rubbing his
eyes with his battle-stained fists. His generals gathered around
the weeping mourner, exclaiming with one accord, " Why weepest
thou, Alexander the Great? — baby" (this last remark they
uttered very low, however) Alexander sobbed out, " I weep
because I have no more worlds to conquer ! " This figure is
here introduced to show the folly of ambition. Here is Alexander,
26 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
the conqueror of all the known world, weeping for new worlds,
to conquer Now this is folly ! He should have learned modesty
from me. This famous Show has travelled all over the known
world, delighting the hearts of all, conquering every criticism,
and overcoming all obstacles, but I do not sit down and weep,
but quietly travel over the same world, gathering sixpences and
the golden opinions of all who have the honour to behold the
stupendous Collection.
Wind up Alexander, and let him weep.
MOVEMENT. — When wound, Alexander rubs his eyes and
weeps.
KING ALFRED.
This figure is introduced to teach the importance of one of
the noblest arts ever learned by man, and one to which he owes
his very living. I refer to the art of cooking, the most useful as
well as the most difficult of all. Here you see Royalty himself
engaged in this noble pursuit. This is King Alfred of Britain,
who had the prosperity of his people so much at heart, that he
was always willing to help even the humblest. One day he
was passing the humble cottage of a poor peasant, when his
kingly nose being as usual turned up, he perceived the order of
fire. Rushing into the room his horror-struck eye beheld the
oat-cake which was baking for supper in the act of burning.
At the peril of his royal fingers he seized the flaming mass,
dropped it into a pan of water, took up his royal sceptre again,
and marched out with great dignity and a scorched thumb.
Wind him up, John, and get the cake.
MOVEMENT. — King Alfred drops the cake, which Jokn
keeps putting into his right hand.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 27
THE MAN WITH THE IRON MASK.
I can tell you very little about the person represented by
this figure, because no one knows what was his name and whence
he came. Many years ago two men, probably in the hardware
line, brought this unfortunate person to a castle containing a
gloomy dungeon, into which they thrust him, having first con-
cealed his features with an iron mask. They would never reveal
who he was or anything about him. He never spoke to the
time of his death, or even afterwards, and conjecture alone can
find a reason for his strange imprisonment. Some suppose that
he was a prisoner of state, some that he had been crossed in
love, and others think that he was so homely that he did not
wish to be seen ; but the mask was never lifted, and probably
never will be.
When I wind the machinery, you see he still possesses a
steel incognito.
MOVEMENT. — He shakes his head in a mysterious manner.
KING COPHETUA AND THE BEGGAR-MAID.
" Love rules the camp, the court, the bower." as has been
well said by another, and this exhibition favours all sweet and
tender ebullitions of refined sentiment. Who will now steel his
or her heart against the little god of love who tries to steal it,
when he sees by this lovely group that even Royalty bows before
its gentle power, This King beheld this lovely maiden clad in
the rags of poverty, but was so struck with her gentle beauty
that he gladly laid his crown and fortune at her bare feet. She
was overcome by this strong evidence of his attachment, but
could not resist his offer when backed by such inducements,
and she kindly consented to bestow upon him her fair though
somewhat dirty hand, and for his sake to assume the responsi-
bility of the kingdom and palace. See her lovely smile as she
28 MRS. JARLET'S WAXWORKS.
coyly consents to become his Queen. Every true lover should
seern a king in the eyes of a true maiden, and vice versa. I
remember well when Mr. Jarley, the original proprietor of this
exhibition, proposed to me — but private feeling must yield to
public duty, and I refrain.
Wind them up, John.
MOVEMENT.— The King kneels and lifts her hand, the Maiden
looks away coyly.
THE SHAKESPERIAN CHAMBER,
MRS. JARLEY'S SPEECH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : This portion of my collection I never
approach without a feeling of silent awe. These figures ema-
nated from the brain of the. Bard of Avon, one of the most
popular of the modern poets. The first one which we shall
exhibit to your wondering eyes is
RICHARD No. 3,
who was devoted to number 1. He is represented on horse-
back, on account of his fondness for horseflesh, as he once
offered his whole kingdom for one of these valuable animals.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 29>
He was fond of children, two of whom he put out of their
misery when they were in prison. He was a brave soldier
though afraid of ghosts, and very successful with the fair sexr
though far from attractive in person.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up he waves his sword above
his head, and rocks violently on the horse.
LADY MACBETH.
A lady of large body and mind, especially the former. She
was very ambitious and spared no pains to carry out her plans,,
to insure the success of which she sacrificed her peace of mind,
and several of her husband's relations. She was a good house-
keeper, as she went about by night trying to keep things clean
and in order ; she was very neat, as a spot on her hands kept
her awake. Like most strong-minded women, she had a very
weak husband, and had great trouble in inducing him to obey
all her instructions. She was not hospitable however, as she
had a way of murdering her guests in order to advance the
interests of her husband, which devotion to his interest was
rather unfortunate for them. She holds a candle and seems to
be looking for spots upon her hands, although her eyes are
closed in sleep.
MOVEMENT. — When wound up she raises the candle and
glides forward.
OPHELIA.
A fair maiden of Denmark who became crazy through dis-
appointed love. Her lover had encouraged her to hope for love
in a hamlet, and she learned that he was full of aspirations for a
palace. She was so overcome by this discovery that she died of
a broken heart, which, with the help df & hrckea bough, ended
30 MRS. JABLEY'S WAXWORKS.
her days. She was holding to the branch of a willow tree, try-
ing to gain courage to drown herself, when the branch broke?
and she fell into the brook over which it hung, catching a vio-
lent cold in the head, which hurried her to the grave. Just
before her death she attempted a little business as a flower girl
with fair success. Hamlet 'was overcome with sorrow at her
early death, which manly grief he showed by fighting with her
only brother at her grave to decide which was the greatest
mourner. You aeo that she is kneeling and offering flowers to
the passers by.
MOVEMENT. — When wound Ophelia kneels, and seems to be
strewing flowers.
KING LEAR.
A model of female gratitude and devotion which possesses
deep interest to all family groups.
King Lear had three daughters, two of whom were so cross
to him, that they drove him out of house and home, so that he
wandered a lunatic over the face of the earth. His youngest
daughter Cordelia was so kind and gentle, that when she heard
of her father's disappearance, she followed him and brought him
back to reason by her loving tenderness. He was named Lear
for the grimaces which he made when out of his head. Let all
young ladies take warning from this figure, that a cross temper
will destroy the happiness of even a palace, and nothing makes
a man so mad as a fretting and discontented woman.
Wind him up, John, and let him leer.
HERMIONE.
A wonderful example of what a woman can do. This beau-
tiful lady succeeded in holding her tongue, and keeping perfectly
still for six weeks, an example of heroic self-denial never before
attained by one of her sex. Her husband was gone to the war
MKS. JARLEifs WAXWORKS. 31
and she was supposed to be dead, but in reality she was dis-
guised as a statue of herself, and stood behind a curtain for
hours so still, that the people did not suspect that she was alive,
which is very strange, as some people have supposed my
wonderful Wax Statuary to be alive, so closely does it copy
nature. When her husband came home he was told of her
death. Instead of looking for a successor he asked to see her
statue, and expressed his love so warmly that the stone
apparently melted and fell into his outstretched arms.
MOVEMENT. — When wound Hermione raises her arms and
bends forward.
TITANIA.
A beautiful little sprite, the Queen of the Fairies. Her
husband, Oberon, being angry with her, caused her to fall in
love with a stupid clown, whom he had first adorned with the
head of an ass. This story delicately shows that love often
makes an ass of people, and that even an ass becomes an object
of affection to those whom the little god of love blinds with his
fatal arrow. So do not fail to learn wisdom from this fair pro-
duct of the poet's brain. Young ladies, beware how you fall in
love, lest the object of your affections may make an ass of him-
self. Nothing personal is meant, so do not rile, young gentle-
men ; it would be impossible to make an ass of you, for nature
has rendered it impossible by her original work. The eyes of
the fair Titania were finally opened, and she was glad to return
to the forgiving affection of her own lord.
MOVEMENT. — When wound, Titania waves her wand and
dances lightly
JULIET,
The loveliest ot her »cx, and the truest of womankind.
Many men loved her, but she was faithful to her Romeo even
to the death. In order to be united to her banished lord she
32 MHS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
took a dose of morphine, and consented to be laid in the silent
tomb. Here she was found by Romeo and her other lover from
Paris, where they had a fight in which both were killed, so with
the same dagger that her lover had used she slew herself and
died in his company, the whole forming a tableaux of horror
even for a tomb. As you now behold her she is just raising the
sleeping potion to her lips : and the moral of the whole is,
never take opiates, for if you wish to sleep well, you must rise
with the lark and work hard all day long,
MOVEMENT. — When wound up, she raises the pliial to h«r
lips and yawns.
MBS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
CONTENTS OF PART I.
Chinese Giant — Two-headed Girl — Sewing Woman — Mrs. Winslow—
Captain Kidd — Victim — Mermaid — Maniac — Dwarf — Siamese Twins-
Boy that stood on the Burning Deck — Blue Beard — Signorini Squallini —
Jack Spratt — Mrs. Jack Spratt — Lord Byron — Childe Harold — Lire
Yankee — Old-fashioned Sewing Machin e— Cannibal — Bachelor — Lady
Love— Mother Goose— Little Bo-Peep— The Giggler— .Old King Cole—-
The Contraband— Babes in the Wood — Fair One with Golden Locks.
To which is added the following novel collection of
ANTiaUE MARBLES.
Jupiter — Juno— Bacchus— >lir>evva— Apo]lo--Hebe— Mara and Cnpi&
MRS. JARLEY'S
FAR-FAMED COLLECTION OP
WAXWORKS
PART III.
BY
W. GURNEY BENHAM.
With Jull directions for their Arrangement, Positions, Move-
ments, Costumes, and Properties.
LONDON :
SAMUEL FRENCH,
PUBLISHER,
89. STRAND.
NEW YORK :
SAMUEL FRENCH & SON,
PUBLISH! RS,
28, WEST 23RD STREET.
PREFACE.
THERE is scarcely any form of amateur entertainment sc
successful, so simple, and so generally suited to the requirements
of amateur performers, as the representation of "Mrs.
Jarley's Waxworks." Comparatively little dramatic knowledge
is necessary, scenery and other elaborate accessories are
dispensed with, 110 speaking is required, except from Mrs
Jarley herself, and the audience is kept continuously amused
and interested with but slight labour or effort on the part of
the performers.
The most important essentials in a well-conducted represen-
tation are : — (1) An efficient Mrs. Jarley ; (2) effective costumes
and careful make-up j (3) a good light ; (4) adequate rehearwal.
Mrs. Jarley may be represented by a lady or gentleman, and
the delivery of her speeches should be carefully studied before-
hand, the various descriptions being committed to memory.
Mrs. Jarley should have a very large poke bonnet, plentifully
lulomed with flowers ; an old-fashioned dress, with such suitable
accessories as a bright shawl, white gloves, tfcc.; and she should
carry a small basket containing her bottle and handkerchief.
A large umbrella of the Gamp genus will be found most
appropriate and convenient for pointing out the figures as they
are described.
As to the costumes of the figures it is important that they
should be bright and showy. In making up the faces, plenty
of white powder may be used, with vivid patches of rouge upon
the cheeks, the eyelashes and eyebrows being boldly touched up
with well-defined pencilling. This will be found to give the
general effect of waxwork.
Limelight is useful though not at all indispensable. Where
footlights are not available, a sufficient number of lamps should
be obtained to throw a strong light upon the stage.
In rehearsing it is important that the figures should go
through their movements in costume, and the best method of
representation is to show the waxworks in groups of from eight
to twelve figures, or more, according to the size of the stage.
On the curtain rising the figures are discovered, and each is
described separately, and put through its movements after each
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 3
description. At rehearsal special pains should be taken to
determine the exact position of each figure in the group, and
they should be so arranged that all are seen when the curtain
rises, whilst it is also important that the arrangement should
be harmonious as to colour and general effect.
Mrs. Jarley should have two capable assistants, who should
be in liveries, distinguishing them completely from the waxwork
figures. They may, to increase the contrast, black their faces.
They should be provided with small toy rattles, which will give
the effect of winding ; also with large oilcans, screwdrivers,
mallets and feather brushes, with all of which amusing by-play
may be improvised.
It is desirable that they should carry most of the figures
forward before description. The figure should stand stiffly,
keeping the eyes steadily fixed, and should be lifted under the
;ir*iis. This should be carefully rehearsed. Before winding
up, the arms may be worked up and down by the attendants,
and the oilcan and screAvdriver applied. The movements of
each figure should commence and end with suitable pianoforte
accompaniment, and this should be practised at rehearsal, so as
to define the exact time and number of the " jerks " with which
the movement is accomplished.
While the descriptions are all humorous, it is not necessary
that all the figures should be ludicrous. On the contrary, it adds
to the variety and enjoyment of the entertainment to introduce
a few specimens which are free from burlesque. Between tho
groups singing or recitations should be given.
W G. BENHAM.
4 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
CHARACTERS, COSTUMES, & PROPERTIES.
Grace Darling. — Fisher girl's dress. Holds an oar which
may either be brightly painted, or decorated with coloured
paper Page &
Simple Simon. — Peaked cap, Tam-o'-Shanter, or charity school
boy's cap. Hair brushed over forehead. Tight boy's
jacket, or holland pinafore; knickerbockers, socks, and
slippers Page 9
Queen Elizabeth. — High headdress, crown, pearls, feathers,
&c. Large frilled collar. Sumptuous Elizabethan robes,
chains, Arc. Sceptre in left hand. . . Page l6
Uncle Tom. — Negro with white woolly wig. White jacket and
trousers and coloured waistcoat ; bones . Page 1 1
Gipsy Queen. — Rich Oriental dress ; holds cards in her hand.
Dark complexion. Necklaces of coins,beads,ctc. Page 12
Gipsy King. — Black wig, falling over eyes. Brigand hat and
feather. Stained complexion and threatening expression.
Loose coloured jacket, bright waistcoat and neckerchief.
Corduroy breeches and bright stockings. Carries a large
and heavy club . . . . . . Page 12
Jack Horner. — Pointed paper cap; boy's modern kiiicker-
bocker suit. Sits cross-legged and holds a large pie on his.
lap, with one hand in it, and a large plum attached to the
thumb. He may be seated either on a table, or at the
corner of the stage . . . . Page 13-
Shakespeare. — Bald head, light pointed beard, and curling
moustaches. Elizabethan costume, from the breast of
which appears a bottle labelled " Embrocation." In his
right hand a large quill pen ; and in his left, which may
be resting on a pedestal, a long scroll of thick paper or
cardboard ....... Page 13
Flwa. — Wears a wreath of flowers on her head ; loose white
dress without sleeves, garlanded with flowers. In her right
hand a cornucopia full of flowers. . . Page 1 4
Dr. Watts. — Long white curled wig. Black gown and white
bands. White cotton gloves. In his right hand a large
bumble bee on a piece of elastic ; in the other an
artificial flower ...... P«'lge 15
John Bull. — High hat with broad brim. Swallow-tail coat.
MRS. JARLEY S WAXWOUKS. 5
White or flowered waistcoat; frilled shirt front; high collars;
knee breeches and top-boots. Long purse in right hand,
and heavy stick in the other . . . Page 16
Queen of Hearts. — Crown; white dress covered with red
hearts, and trimmed with ermine. She stands at a table
with pastry-board and rolling-pin before her Page 17
Knave of Hearts. — Black moustache. Red hat and feather.
White tunic covered with red hearts. Red tights or stock-
ings, A large bag hanging at his side. . Page 17
Ancient Mariner. — Sailor costume. White wig and beard.
Wears black patch over one eye. Hanging round his
neck a goose or other large bird. In his hand a cross-bow.
Pags 17
Miss Brooker. — Girl's short dress, with pinafore. Hair
down. Holds large jar, with carving fork . Page 18
Robert Bruce. — Scotch costume or uniform. Holds a piece
of elastic with large spider attached . . Page 19
JZadkiel. — Pointed white coat covered with cabalistic signs.
White beard and wig. Long loose gown to his feet, with
large sleeves. May be trimmed with fur or other material
and covered richly with astronomical signs, cut from gold
and silver and coloured paper. A large quill pen behind
the ear, and old-fashioned spectacles . . Page 20
Mr. Pickivick. — Bald head. Swallow-tail coat. White waist-
coat, high boots, ifec., as in illustrations . Page 21
Mrs. J5ardeW.— Large loose flowered dress, and white frilled
cap, tied under chin. A bunch of heavy keys hanging
from her waist. Apron .... Page 21
William Tell. — Large hat and feather. Coloured tunic with
bugle by his side. Coloured tights. Bow and arrow,
and apple ....... Page 22
Britannia. — White loose dress with bare arms and neck.
Sash of red, white, and blue may be introduced. A high
helmet. Trident and oval shield, the latter with a Union
Jack painted on it cr strained over it . . Page 22
Ally Sloper. — Make up from pictures. Bald head ; receding
forehead, large red nose; shabby swallow-tail coat;
bright waistcoat ; large tie ; short trousers ; small cotton
gloves. Carries large gig umbrella . . Page 23
6 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
The Black Prince. — Complete suit of armour with sword and
shield, all trimmed with black. Three black feathers in
helmet. Very dark and forbidding face. A black repre-
sentation of skull and crossbones may be introduced on
his shield or breast plate .... Page 24
The Claimant. — Very stout man. Ordinary black modern
coat ; lay-down collar ; large shirt front ; light waistcoat
and ordinary trousers. Holds a bottle labelled "Anti-
Fat" Page 25
Maiden All Forlorn. — Large straw hat, milk-maid's dress,
with pinafore. Sits on three-legged stool with head 011
her hand. Milk pail by her side. . . Page 26
Man all Tattered and Torn. — A battered high hat. Very
ragged and shabby black frock coat buttoned to his chin ;
no collar or tie ; a very short and tattered pair of trousers,
and an old pair of boots. Stands behind the Maiden.
Page 2G
Henry VIII. — Very stout man. Large feathered hat, worn on
one side. Short sandy beard, with whiskers and mous-
tache. Rich velvet tunic, over which he wears a royal
ermine trimmed cape. Several large gilded or brass chains
upon his neck, from which hang six large gilded lockets.
Black stockings and buckle shoes. Sword . Page 26-
Aladdin. — Chinese straw hat with broad brim. Pig-tail. Gay
tunic, coloured stockings, and large Chinese shoes. Holds.
a lamp in one hand and a coloured handkerchief in the
other ........ Page 27
Penelope. — Classical drapery and headdress. Sits upon a low
chair or stool with wool-work on her lap . Page 28
Guy Fawkes. — Brigand's hat and feather; black wig and
beard ; red nose and black patches about face ; wears any
disreputable or eccentric clothes, with a hump behind and
before. Patches of straw here and there as if he were
stuffed with it. May be seated on a small barrow covered
with straw, and carried forward ; a short clay pipe in his
mouth. Large imitation match-box and match Page 20
Cinderella. — Wears her hair down ; a pretty collarette ; plain
dress with white apron ; holds a broom as if about to sweep.
P;i#e 2S)
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 7
William R»fus. — Very long red hair. Handsome coloured
tunic, -\\ ith chains round his neck.- High boots. Wears
sword or dagger, and carries bow and arrow ; holds a toy
bugle in his hand. A very huge arrow is represented as
sticking neatly into his left side . . . Page 30
Deceased Mr. Jarley. — A high hat, slightly on one side ; red
nose, ifcc. ; an ordinary black coat with bright flowered
waistcoat, and gorgeous neck-tie. Ordinary light trousers.
Holds a large glass which may be painted black insida to
represent stout ...... Page 31
Jasper Packlemirton. — Swallow-tail coat. High hat on one
side ; light waistcoat ; knee-breeches, and top-boots. Long
black whiskers ...... Page 32
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
PART I. CONTAINS
Chamber of Beauty : Opening
Speech of Mrs. Jarley— Sleeping
Beauty and the Prince — Queen
Eleanor and Fair Rosamond — John
Alden and Priscilla — Rebecca and
Rowena— Alonzo the Brave and
Fair Imogene — The Gracchi —
Beatrice Cenci. Chamber of Horrors:
Mrs. Jarley's Speech — Medusa —
Violante — Vampire — Father Time
— Savage and his Flying Victim —
Ruffian disarmed by a Smiie —
Spoiled Child — Bearded Woman —
Man Monkey. Historical Chamber:
Mrs. Jarley's Speech — Joan of Arc
— Robin Hood — Alexander the Great
— Robinson Crusoe — King Alfred —
Diogenes — Man with the Iron Mask
— Nero — King Cophetua and the
Beggar Maid. Shakcsperean Cham-
ber : Mrs. Jarley's Speech — Lady
Macbeth — Titania — Ophelia —
.Tnliet — King Lear — Hennione —
R:ch ird III.
PART II. CONTAINS
Little Nell— John and Peter—
The Chinese Giant — Mrs. Jack
Sprat —Two-headed Girl — Lord
Byron — Sewing Woman — Childe
Harold— Mrs. Winslow— The Live
Yankee— Captain Kidd— The Old-
fashioned Sewing Machine — Victim
— The Cannibal — The Mermaid—-
The Bachelor— The Maniac— Hb
Lady Love — The Siamese Twins —
Mother Goose — The Boy that stood
on the Burning Deck — Little Bo-
Peep— The Giggler— The Dwarf—
Old King Cole— Blue Beard— The
Contraband — Signorina Squallini — •
Babes in the Wood— Jack Sprat-
Little Red Riding Hood— Fair Ono
with Golden Locks. The Antique
Chamber: (lately added)— Models
represented : Jupiter — Juno —
Bacchus — Minerva — Apollo — Heba
— Mars — Cupid .
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
OPENING SPEECH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. — I have the honour to show before
you my bewildering collection of waxworks, which, though I say
it which shouldn't, is, without exception, one of the most wonder-
ful and atrocious sights to be seen in this mortal vale. I have
shown them to all the crowned Kings of Eurip, Asia, Africa,
America, and the adjoining countries. But this is the proudest
moment of my life, for long has it been the hope and amputation
of my existence to visit this pleasing city, so justly celebrated,
all the world over, for the beauty, virtue, and wisdom of its
inhabitants — but which I'm sure they far exceed anything
which I had ever achieved. In fact this seems to be just the
kind of place where I shouldn't mind settling down. For if
anything could again induce me to enter into the bounds of
holy matrimony, it would be one of those nice, handsome, single
gentlemen, as appear to be so abundant in this charming town.
I have added a number of fresh specimens to my collection
especially for this evening's entertainment, and I shall give you
the auto-geography of each stupengious marvel, separately for
your inflammation. They will all go through their motions,
when wound up, in a most natural manner, so much so that
some persons have falsely supposed them to be endowed with
sense, which I can assure you is not the case. In fact if any
or lady or gentleman doubts my word, they may, as far as I
am concerned, after the entertainment is over, run a pin into
any of the figures that they may select for that privilege, on
payment, to me, of half-a-crowii each. But let that pass ! The
dresses, as you will observe, are all of the most scrumptuous
description, and have been obtained quite disregardless of ex-
pense, being the original dresses worn by the characters them-
selves. Without any further preliminary illusions, I will at
once commence my descriptions.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 9
GRACE DARLING.
This young lady is Grace Darling, and I am proud to be
able to relate that she belonged to the same ancient sex as
Mrs. Jarley. She was a credit to it in every way, being one
of the most distinguished women that ever walked this vale of
sorrows. She was a very excellent sailor, which is more than
I can say for myself, owing to which fact I have never attemp-
ted to emulate her remarkable example in going over the
raging billows in the very roughest weather to rescue sea-sick
seamen. She was, as you will observe, of a dark complexion,
though she lived in a light-house. She used to go out rowing
with her father, and on one occasion rescued a large number oi
unfortunate men, steering clear of the rocks and breakers as
only a woman can. She was, as you will allow, particularly
fortunate in possessing such a pleasing name, but as the great
immortial bard humorously remarks: —
What's in a name ? A nose by any other name,
Would smell equally well, if not better.
Grace Darling received many offers of marriage, notwith
standing the fact that it was well known that the man who
rowed in the same boat with her would have to look out for
squalls and. stormy weather. Grace, however, never married,
in which course of conduct, in my humble opinion, she showed
her wisdom.
When wound up she will look for wrecks, which was her
favourite occupation.
MOVEMENT • — On being wound up she raises her hand slowly
and gracefully, bringing it over her eyes as if shading them.
The movement is repeated several times.
SIMPLE SIMON.
To all who love simplicity of character this next figure will
be of sympathetic interest. This deserving youth is Simple
Simon, who was the orphan son of poor but honest parients.
As his name Simon might seem to imply he was a fisherman,
and was so enthusiastically devoted to the noble sport that he used
to take his rod and line and fish for hours in his mother's pail
in the hopes of catching a whale. The result was that he did
catch it, for his stern parient arriving suddenly on the scene,
and discovering him in the act, he went away wailing in real
10 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
earnest, and soon had a plentiful amount of blubber to dispose
of, besides several wales which he carried upon his back. But
let that pass ! Although he was named Simple Simon, his
memorials, as handed down to us in unpresuming poetry, prove
that he was not by any means such a fool as he looked, for in
spite of his early age, we are informed that he attempted the
confidence trick upon a local pieman, in a way which clearly
showed that he knew pretty well what he was about. His
efforts with the pieman were not altogether successful, but the
attempt thus made, whilst in the beardless flower of youth,
showed promise of a great career before him, which was after-
wards duly justified, for Simple Simon became famous in his
twenty-fifth year for embezzling ,£1,989 from his confiding
employers, the whole of which he squandered in billiards, upon
the turf, and was consequentially sentenced to penal servitude
for life, to be followed by five years at an Industrial School.
When wound up you will see him fishing for the whale.
MOVEMENT : — He several times raises the hook from the pail
to close in front of his eyes, as if examining it to see if a fish
were on it, — maintaining all the time a very vacant smile.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
This figure is Good Queen Bess, who ruled over this land of
law and liberty for a long period of years. She was called
Good Queen Bess because she was one of the bess — t Queens
of that name that ruled dur ing her glorious reign. Unlike
most women, she was fond of having her own way, and also had
a rather strong temper. She was devoted to her people as a
Queen ought to be, and she was specially partial to a gentleman
who was the Earl of Essex, and whom she much preferred to
the various foreign monarchs and other individuals who
conspired to her royal hand, thus showing her good taste. The
King of Spain was so jealous that he at length sent over several
ship loads of his invincible Spanish Armaders. Britannia, how-
ever, ruled the waves so well that the Armaders were all
safely drowned in the Arctic Pelago of Biscay. Elizabeth
used to box the ears of some of her principal statesmen, a plan
which I should certainly introduce again if I were the Queen
of these favoured Isles at the present moment, for I could
name several statesmen that I have no patience with, and
which I should very much like to have a chance of chastising
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 11
in that summary manner. But let that pass ! Elizabeth upon
one occasion gave Lord Essex a ring off her royal linger,
telling him that if ever he wanted anything very particklar he
was to send her the ring and if possible she would let him
have what he wanted by return of post. When the un-
fortunate nobleman was condemned to die, he sent her the
ring from prison with his kind love. But unfortunately he entrusted
it to a lady who put it in her pocket and forgot all about it
until too late, the result being that Lord Essex lost his head
whilst the Queen lost her temper. The morril of which pleas-
ing anecdote is that when you are sending valuables of this
kind, you should always be sure to send them by registered
post, which is a cheaper and safer plan in the end than entrust-
ing them to lady friends.
When wound up you will see her as she appeared when
boxing the Prime Minister's ears.
MOVEMENT : — When wound up she lifts her right hand
several times, hitting out with it energetically each time.
UNCLE TOM.
Here you behold in this defecting and, I hope, truly
repulsive image, the lifelike and beautiful representation of a
man and a brother, or more accuratiously speaking, a man and
an uncle, for this, as it is almost artificial for me to observe, is
the speaking family likeness of the celebrated Uncle Tom. He
was, as you may readily guess, a negro, and he was unfortunately
sold to a very hard-hearted monster, by his noble-minded
owner, who, like most deserving people, was very badly in want
of money. These were the clothes which he wore when he was
sold to his second cruel and wicked master for £20, and
I think you will allow that the coat and waistcoat were alone
worth the money, not to mention the massive gold watch-chain
which he wore. He was a man of great originality of character
and used to beguile the midnight hours with animated musical per-
formances, which I regret to say did not have charms to soothe the
salvage beasts, for his master and mistress had him somewhat
severely chastised in consequence, to the injury of his general
health. I am unable to mention the name of the vessel on which
his celebrated cabin was situated, but I am quite sure that any-
one havin' the misfortune to cross the ragin' billers, and desiring
12 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
not to be swindled more than necessary, could not have dune
better than take their berths in Uncle Tom's Cabin.
When wound up he will give a brief but fascinating
performance on his favourite musical instrument. Peter, wind
him up. John, fetch the bones.
MOVEMENT : — When wound up he plays some popular air
on the bones, to the pianoforte accompaniment, jerking his
head whilst doing so.
THE GIPSY KING AND QUEEN.
This is Mrs. Matilda Muggins, the renownded gipsy queen
which made her fortune by telling other people's, and more
especially servant girls , whom she used to provide with military
husbands in large numbers and at very moderate prices. Her
benevolent conduct and surprising talons had their reward,
for her many charms and abilities attracted the attention of
Murphy Muggins the great gipsy king, [whose astonishingly
lifelike image stands beside her]. He accordingly married her
and made her a partaker of his caravan and throne. But as
you are all aware " Uneasy lies the head as wears a crownd."
I lament to say that the conduct of her royal husband was not
at all wrhat it should have been. He took to the flowing bowl,
and frequently assaulted his Matilda with his oaken sceptre
[which you will observe in his right hand]. Eventually, how-
ever, he was hanged at the gallows for horse stealing He
was consoled in his last moments by the soothing and pleasing
reflection that his wife had often told him that she thought by
the general cast of his features he would perish upon the
scaffold. After his death Matilda reigned over the gipsies
with great success, also carrying on the fortune-telling business
to the satisfaction of a numerous circle of aristocratic clients,
including most of the ladysmaids and upper servants of the
West End of London. She ended her honourable career at the
comparatively advanced and untimely age of ninety-one, much
to the regret of the whole gipsy tribe, by whom she was much
esteemed and beloved for her amiable and crafty disposition.
When wound up she will tell fortunes by means of the
cards in her hand [whilst her tyrannical husband will threaten
her with his oaken sceptre].
MOVEMENT: — She raises the cards in her left hand and takes
one out with her right, afterwards replacing it.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 13
N.B. In case the Gipsy King is not introduced the Gipsy
Queen may be described separately, the parts in brackets [}
being omitted.
LITTLE JACK HORNER.
The next figure represents a celebrated personage, Little
Jack Horner, who is the hero of a beautiful poem, which it
would be quite supercilious for me to recite, even if it were
needful. By burglariously entering his father's pantry, Little
Jack Horner became possessed of the Christmas pie which
you see in his lap. His remarkable character was afterwards
well illustrated by the subsequential proceedings. Some
children, under such circumstances, would have given way to
unbecoming haughtiness, and boasted of their possession to
their brothers and sisters. Others would have foolishly offered
to share the toothsome morsel with their friends and companions.
But Little Jack Horner, with a modesty and prudence which
were worthy of a Lord High Chanticleer, retired far from the
madding scrouge, into a quiet corner, where he devoured
his treasure in peaceful solitude. That he had an easy
CDnscience is proved by the fact that having cleverly substracted,
with his thumb, the finest plum in the whole tempting dish, he
rejoiced in his own virtue saying " What a good boy am I ! " —
a beautiful exertion of virtue which I only wish all the gentle-
men present could equally declare. But let that pass ! Upon
being discovered in this position by his anxious parient, he was
chastised and sent to bed, but his noble papa did not fail to
recognise the genius of his infant prodigy, and which he
exclaimed, with the proud commotion standing in his eyes,
tli at he knew that his boy had an illustrious career before him.
Which was fulfilled, for he was several times Lord Mayor of
London, besides being director of numerous mining companies.
MOVEMENT: — He brings his thumb from the pie with a
large plum attached to it, and raises it to his mouth, repeating
the motion several times.
SHAKESPEARE.
Here you gaze upon the poetic features of the immortia
bard, one of the most celebrated littery characters of the age.
He was of respectable not to say aristocratic birth, his father
14 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
being a butcher, which accounts for the large amount of murder
and butchery which there is in his poems. Like many other
littery persons, Shakespeare was fond of poaching and got
himself into trouble with the police authorities, in consequence
of which he went from bad to worse, and finally sank to the
lowest depths of degradation, namely the writing of poetry.
He afterwards somewhat retrieved his fallen character by
taking to the theatrical profession, which is, of course, a high
and honourable calling, though it is less artistic, elevating,
and entertaining than waxworks. Shakespeare was a volu-
minious and terrific writer, and his knowledge of history
showed that he would have been worthy to be a teacher in a
Board school. As a play writer Shakespeare was fully equal
to any of the novelists of the present day. I should have
liked to quote an act or two from some of his more important
plays, such as the " School for Scandal " and " Our Boys," but
" Tempus fidgets " and I must, therefore, let that pass, content-
ing myself with merely repeating those well-known lines: —
To be or not to be that is the question
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer,
The stings and harrows of outrageous rheumatism
Or to procure a bottle of Parkinson's Embrocation,
A most useful preparation,
For external application,
And there's the rub !
"Which I may add that this embrocation, so favourably alluded
to by the bard, may be obtained at this exhibition price thir-
teenpence the bottle.
When wound up you will see the immortial poet writing
one of his inimitable sonnets, and his eye in a tine frenzy
rolling, according to his habit as always represented in his
photographs.
MOVEMENT: — Writes furiously, rolling his eyes vigorously
at the audience.
FLORA.
Bring forward Flora. Peter, fill her cornucopiator and
adjust it.
This charming female lady is the Goddess Flora, who was
celebrated for her knowledge of bottiny and florile decorations
«il»e was of Romish origin, being the pattern saint of gardener?
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 15
and nurserymen, and also of flowery speakers and poets, many
of whom have written most affecting compositions in her
honour. She was worshipped to a considerable extent by the
ancient heathens, who, like the heathens of the present day,
were much struck with the sight of beauty. She was presented
by one of the deities with the acceptable gift of perpetual
loveliness, which is a treasure possessed by apparently few
ladies at the present time. She used to walk about in all
weathers in the flowery meads, dressed as you observe her in
the image before you, and carrying the agricultural implement
which you notice in her right hand, commonly known as the
cornucopiator. From this she used to strew the ground about
her with beautiful flowers and plants and other green-grocery.
When wound upyou will see her scattering some of her favourite
flowers upon the floor; in consequence of which she is called
the Goddess Floorer.
MOVEMENT: — She scatters flowers with her left hand from
the cornucopia.
DR. WATTS.
Peter, bring forward Dr. Watts and the Buzzy Bee.
This is the eminent poet Dr. Watts, the celebrated author
of the nursery rhymes which have done so much to beguile
the hours of childhood. He was also the talented inventor of
the steam engine and other ingenious artifices. When not
engaged in composing his interesting dramatic poems, he used
to fill up his leisure moments in the study of natural history.
You will see in his hand the representation of his celebrated
fouzzy bee, to which he was much attached. You will all re-
collect the well-known and simple lines: —
How doth the buzzy little bee
Reprove each shining hour,
And keep on tippling all the day
From every opening flower.
In his left hand you will observe the opening flower, which
is a particularly beautiful work of art. He was a great
opponent of the obnoctial system of muzzling and tying up
dogs, for he remarked in truly stirring accents :— —
Let dogs delight to bark and bite
It is their nature to ;
Let bears and lions gnnvl and fight —
For they've got no \vork to do !
16 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
He was also an advocate of early rising, and it is needless
for me to quote his familiar elegy: —
'Tis the voice of the sluggard, I heap him complain,
It's no use your calling, so don't call a^ain ;
It's no use your knocking, you won't make me hear,
Forto-morrow'U be the happiestday of all the glad new year.
This figure has been obtained at great expense, and is an
exact representation of the Doctor as he appeared in the
pulpit.
When wound up you will see the bee fly in a most natural
manner to the opening flower. Peter, wind them up and oil
the bee's tail.
MOVEMENT: — The bee is brought round several times to the
flower and is danced up and down on it each time.
JOHN BULL.
This gentleman is the notorious John Bull, and he is one of
the costliest and heaviest objects in my extensive collection. T
nave not been able to discover exactly what part of the country
lie comes from or what he does for a living, but I have gleaned
that he is a most ill-used and insufferable individual, and has
^one through a great deal of trouble of various kinds. He
has a very large and troublesome family, and he has always
oeen the favourite victim of swindlers of all kinds. You may
see by his furrowed brow and bald head that he has had many
a struggle with adversity. But in spite of all his trials and
vexations cf spirit, he has been constantly letting out his waist-
coats for several generations and has had his pockets enlarged
a great many times. He is, in fact, celebrated for the great
iepth of his pockets. In his right hand he holds his wonderful
magic purse, with which he is in the habit of paying his taxes.
He keeps an excellent table, and it is said that he has never
been known on any single occasion to grumble about anything
whatsomever, his disposition being extremely sweet and
amiable. I am also glad to state upon the authority of all the
leading English historians, that he is quite insensible to flattery,
and has no temper or pride whatever, nor any other weaknesses
Df any sort congealed in his manly bosom.
MOVEMENT: — He lifts a very long purse full of coins and
shakes it several times, thumping the ground emphatically
his stick after each shake.
MRS. JARLEYS WAXWORKS. 17
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS, AND THE FELONIOUS
KNAVE.
This noble lady is the Queen of Hearts, who set a very
admirable example to her subjects by not disdaining the
honourable and economical practice of making her own pastry.
You see in the group 'before you she is engaged in the pleasing
occupation of making tarts, and we are told in the simple elegy
which records her domestic virtues that she did not neglect
her household duties on account of the weather, for it is
expressly related that in spite of its being a summer's day, she
was notwithstanding industerously engaged in her culiniary
pursuits. Unfortunately her attendants were of a greedy
and dishonest temperament, more especially the Felonious
Knave of Hearts, whose lifelike and nefarious image stands by
her at the table. He was in the habit of substracting the
pastry, and inserting it into the capacious pocket by his side.
The gentle Queen, upon discovering her loss, went and told her
sad but tartless tale to her sovereign lord, who, in a way that
did him credit as a husband and the father of a family, at once
vowed that he would have his revenge, and bring the traitorous
villin to contributory justice. Conventually the Knave dis-
covered that the stern arm of the law was one too many for
him. By the untiring exertions of the King he was discovered
in his burglarious declivities, and was sentenced to a severe
flagiolation, without the option of a fine.
When wound up you will perceive him in the act of
purloaning the pastry in a most premeditatory and barefaced
manner, the moral of which is that honesty is the best police,
and that co-operation is the thief of time.
MOVEMENT : — The Queen rolls out pastry, whilst the Knave
places several tarts in a bag by his side, dropping one of them,
which is immediately seized and devoured by one of the
attendants.
THE ANCIENT MARINER.
Bring forward the Marrioner. This somewhat aged veteran,
ladies and gentlemen, is a fine and characteristic example of
the British Tar. He was a very distinguished sailor, and
upon one occasion, when there was no food left on board, he
shot a very large and ferocious bird, named the Albert Horse,
18 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
thus saving the whole ship's crew from starvation, and also
from having to eat him, which they would otherwise have been
reluctantly compelled to do. He was consequentially rewarded
by the Admirable Office with a pension, whereupon he
accordingly lived to a very advanced and unnatural old age.
He used to eke out his precocious livelihood by walking about
the streets with a large stuffed bird round his neck, representing
the Albert Horse. He was specially gifted, like most sailors, at
telling long and singular yarns, and could keep on for an un-
limited time. The unwary passer-by who happened to be
stopped by him soon discovered that there was .no possible
way of getting rid of him short of presenting him with a
substantial sum for the favour of his taking his adoo. You
will observe that he possesses a particularly glittering eye,
which is celebrated in his very interesting memorials written by
S. Coleridge, Esquire. He formerly had two eyes, but the
other was unfortunately lost at the Bombardment of Alexandria,
where he greatly extinguished himself.
In his left hand he holds the deadly weppin with which he
shot the Albert Horse, and when wound up you will see how
he took aim with his glittering eye.
MOVEMENT: — He raises the cross-bow and points it in
different directions, winking at intervals with his eye.
CRUEL MISS BROOKER.
This is the wicked Miss Brooker, a cruel young lady whose
family was one of the highest in the land, but whose conduct
was by no means to correspond. She was sent by her indul-
gent parients to a very respectable boarding school where she
learnt all the extras, and no luxuries were grudged. But un-
fortunately she spent her pocket money, which was of a highly
liberal description, in pernicious novelettes and other
sensational literatoor, including the Police Gazette and the
Weekly Records of Crime and Burglary. This had such a
deleteriorating effect upon her young and unsophisticatious
mind, that she achieved the barbarous idea of poisoning all
her relatives and friends. So upon going home for her Eastern
holidays, she asked her fond mamma to give an evening party.
Amongst the many toothsome dishes at the sumptuous banquet
was a massive jar of potted shrimps, into which this blood-
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 19
thirsty young lady had inserted a large quantity of Jollop's
Patent Rat Poison. The excellence of this remarkable
preparation, which may be had at this show in eighteenpenny
"bottles, was soon manifestoed. Her grandfather and
grandmother were the first to succumb, after which her father
and mother, her eight brothers and sisters, two maiden aunts
who had both left her their enormous fortunes, and no less
than eighteen invited guests, expired in excruciating agonies,
their screams being heard seventeen miles off. Amongst the
victims was a gallant and guileless young man, of great personal
beauty, who had just been dancing with her, and had proposed
her his hand and heart in marriage. The only person who was
left to tell the harrowing tale was the jobbing gardener, who
had been specially hired in for the occasion as waiter. Miss
Brooker afterwards confessed her guilt, and was sentenced to
be hanged, which took place in the presence of an enormous
crowd, whom she moved to tears by the pathetic and thrilling
way in which she warned them to avoid all works of fiction
nnd police news reports, as also the somewhat uncommon
offence of giving too much pocket money to their orfspring.
When wound up you will see her as she appeared when
holding up the deadly potted shrimps to her unfortunate and
infatuated lovier.
MOVEMENT: — She produces the fork from the bottle with
a large shrimp at the end of it, and holds it up.
ROBERT BRUCE.
This is the unexceptionably brave and warlike Bruce, who
was ruler of Scotland for many years, and performed deeds of
daring worthy of a Wellington or a William the Conqueror.
Once, after being defeated in a most humiliating manner for
the sixth time, by the overpowering hordes of mercenary foes,
he endeavoured to drown his sorrows at a country inn, where
they paid more attention to comfort than to cleanliness or cob-
webs. He was gazing with mingled horror and curiosity at
one of those nasty crawling insects of spiders, which was
building its gossamer nest in the corner of the apartment. Six
times did the obnoxious reptile attempt its cunning task, and
then, just as the noble monnick was about to ring the bell for
the chambermaid to remove it with a dustpan and a pair of
20 MRS. JAKLEY'S WAXWORKS.
tongs, he observed it once more commencing to spin its loath-
some threads. To his surprise he noticed that the venomou
reptile had at length succeeded in its objectionable object.8'
Whereupon he at once felt that he heard the prophetic voice
of his mother's uncle whispering in his left ear, and saying in
the familiar words of Shakespeare : —
If at first you don't succeed,
Try, try, again.
He at once girded up his martial cloak around him, and with-
out so much as even waiting to pay his bill, set forth upon the
path of glory, the result being that he vanquished his proud
foes in the most single and remarkable manner.
When wound up you will observe him watching the
spider, which was ever afterwards his favourite insect.
MOVEMENT : — He lifts a large spider attached to a thread
until it dangles before his eyes, when he watches it for a few
seconds and brings it down again. Repeat several times.
ZADKIEL.
This figure represents the great prophet Zadkiel engaged
in his philosophical and scientific pursuits. Like many amateur
prophets in private life he is apt to take a somewhat gloomy
view of the future, and supplies earthquakes, wars, floods,
assassinations, and other disasters, at a very reasonable rate,
besides being particularly good at foretelling that the weather
will have a tendency to be warm in the summer, and will
probably get cooler during the winter months. He has not
only prophesied everything which has happened during the
last half-century, but a great deal more besides. Like other
prophetic souls he has received but little honour in his own un-
grateful country, and in spite of having regularly foretold the
downfall of every Government for many years, he has never
been rewarded with a pension, or even a peerage, in spite of
his advanced years and many services. The bottle which you
will observe modestly peeping from his pocket contains the
familiar spirit which he was frequently in the habit of con-
sulting. Behind his ear is the eagle's feather with which he
writes his celebrated almanacks and the Book of Fate, with
other profitable works. In his left hand you will perceive hi?
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 21
patent magic telescope with which he is accustomed to gaze
into futurity.
When wound up he will perform an incantation.
MOVEMENT : — "Whilst winding up, one of the attendants
lights a small coloured fire in the bowl before him, and Zadkiel
waves his wand in the smoke several times.
MR. PICKWICK AND MRS. BARDELL.
Here is a group, ladies and gentlemen, which will solicit
the sympathies of all right-minded women, more especially
widcUis. I appeal wit i confidential hope to the enlightened
world for sympathy for this poor persecuted and ill-treated
female. I do not deny, ladies and gentlemen, — far be it from
me, a poor weak and wayward woman, to deny — that Mr.
Pickwick was a man of deeply cultivated intellect, and of
gigantic brains. I can sympathise with him on account of his
hair falling off at the back somewhat freely, and also on account
of his being subject to wear spectacles, as you will see in the
vivid and natural representation before you. I also admire
him for going forth into the wide world in search of littery
pursuits, being a littery person myself, as you are of course
aware. There can be no doubt, I believe, that his masterly
esscay on the Tittlebat Question is unrivalled as a lucid compli-
cation of that important and obscure subject. But that was
no reason why he should trifle with the affections of a poor and
deserving widder, such as Mrs. Bardell, and I maintain and
always shall, to the last drop of my heart's core, that it
served him quite right being doomed to pay such substantiated
damages, for playing fast and loose with her sensitive breast.
Mrs. Bardell was a faithfuland honest landlady to Mr. Pickwick,
and that he reciprocicated her attentions was clearly shown by
those tender epistles which he wrote her, referring in terms,
not to be misunderstood, to such delicate matters as tomato
sauce and warming pans. But let that pass ! There are, I fear,
many such gay deceivers about as Mr. Pickwick, and the morril
of this touching group is that widders should beware of such
lodgers, who are proof against their affectionate and womanly
solitude. Wherefore I say to all my female auditresses," Beware
of men in general and elderly bachelors in particular," for : —
Love is a thing of a man's life a part,
'Tis women's board and lodging.
22 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
MOVEMENT : — Mrs. Bardell falls into Mr. Pickwick's arms,
who pats her on the back in a soothing way. Repeated several
times.
WILLIAM TELL.
This noble figure is the celebrated Swiss archer William
Tell, who was ordered by a tyrannical Austrian General
named Guzzler, to go down on his knees in the mud to the
Austrian cap which the aforesaid Guzzler had set up in the
market place. Whereupon Mr. Tell's proud spirit rebelled
within his independent bosom, and he said that sooner than
bow down to a hat he would eat his own. The flinty-
bosomed Guzzler immediately ordered him to take his bow
and arrow and shoot an apple off the devoted head of his
innocent son. Knowing that his boy was a thorough block-
head, and also of a head-strong disposition, William Tell did
not fear to attempt the 'arrowing task, and he hit the apple
in the very centre amid the loud applauses of the audience.
Whereupon he produced a second arrow and offered to repeat
the interesting experiment upon General Guzzler himself.
The iraskable officer, foaming over at the mouth with dis-
appointed reciprocity, loaded him with heavy chains, and
ordered him to be removed to a dungeon cell. Whilst he was
being conveyed in a boat to the desolate fortress, a storm arose
upon the lake, whereupon the noble Tell kindly undertook to
steer the boat. With a cunning worthy of a great Statesman —
whose name I need not mention — he ran the vessel upon a
rock and jumped out into the niche of time, after which he shot
the policeman in the boat and became the saviour of his country
from the yoke of the depressing Guzzler, whom he hanged up in
chains from the giddy heights of Mount Blank. You will observe
upon the point of his arrow a beautiful f ac-similar of the apple
which he shot off his son's head.
MOVEMENT: — He has a very diminutive bow and arrow,
with a huge apple at the end of the latter. When wound up
he draws the bow, stamping one foot each time he does so.
BRITANNIA.
The sight of this magnificent figure will cause proud and
patriotic emotions to arise in the breasts of those who happen
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 23
to be given that way. Each true lovier of his country will
rise up from his feet, and exclaim in passionate accents,
England, with all thy rates and taxes,
I love thee still.
The origins of this young lady are well congealed in the
hazy shades of mythology, and she is therefore a supernatural
individual. Her parients were no doubt very extinguished
persons, and she had a sister named Erin, with whom, however,
she has never agreed particularly well^ owing to incompati-
bility of temper. But let that pass ! The poet tells us, in
well-known lines : —
Britannia needs no Bull Fights,
Her home is on the deep,
Her address is on the mounting waves,
And you don't catch a weasel asleep !
Her principal occupation is ruling the waves, which she
does with the Mastiff Triton, which you will observe in her
right hand. She also uses it occasionally for prodding up
the British Lion, which is her property, and which is given a
good deal to slumbering. She lets him loose on her friends
and neighbours when they mis-behave themselves. In her
left hand is her shield, which is covered with the flag that has
braved a thousand years the battles and the breezes, but which,
as you will observe, is in very good condition, notwithstanding
being in fact as good as new. The object of her wearing the
mastiff head-dress which you see, is, as you will probably
guess, to keep her head warm, as she is very much given to
sitting about, in all weathers, on rocks and other exposed
places.
When wound up she will rule the waves with her Mastiff
Triton.
MOVEMENT : — She moves the trident in front of her with
a wave-like action to the air of " Rule Britannia," turning her
head slowly round whilst doing so.
ALLY SLOPER.
You will immediately recognise, in this figure, the familiar
features of that great writer, orator, statesman, poet, and
fcatriot. Allv SloDer. He is a deeD-red man as vou will observe
24 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
by his nose. All great genius has its little eccentricities, and
his have developed themselves in the shape of the remarkable
umbrella, which he is in the habit of carrying out with him
in all weathers and seasons, and which has this advantage
about it, that it would not tempt the many prowling thieves
who go about in search of umbrellas. It is also not likely to
be taken in mistake for somebody else's, as occasionally happens.
It is understood that he has generously left his umbrella, as
an heir-loom to the British Museum. The one which he holds
in his hand in this speaking model, is an exact fac-similar of
the original article.
When wound up you will see him, as he appeared on the
platform of Exeter Hall, disclaiming upon the extreme
importance of total abstinence to all grown-up children and
married spinsters. His speech made such a great impression
upon the orgience that he had at last to be forcibly removed
by the police, and was the next morning fined <£2 10s. at
Covent Garden, whereupon he wrote his celebrated pamphlet
upon the Abusive Liberty of the Subject.
MOVEMENT : — Waves his umbrella wildly as if declaiming.
THE BLACK PRINCE.
You will recognise this imposing and majestic figure as the
Black Prince. He was a great warrior, and obtained his name
of Black Prince at an early age, in the Royal nursery, owing
to his always having black eyes, given him by his five brothers
who were also of a warm and warlike disposition. He after-
wards, as you will observe, indulged in black armour, which
was suitable to his martial and gloomy demeanour and fierce
expression of countenance, which you will observe has been
reproduced with consuming skill by my talented artist. His
warlike disposition was illusterated in the Siege of Paris, when
he took the Emperor Napoleon prisoner, and brought him back
in triumph to the ancestral walls of Windsor Castle, where it
is related that he treated him with the most flattering atten-
tion, standing behind him at meals with a napkin, and
watching every mouthful he took, thereby no doubt making
him feel very comfortable and happy. Amongst the many
people whom this noble and regal prince slew in the course of
his chequered and illusterated career, was a noble monnick
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 25
whose arms he cut off, using them ever afterwards as the
Prince of Wales's feathers.
MOVEMENT: — He goes through several passes with his sword.
THE CLAIMANT.
Here you perceive one of the greatest men of the present
age, the much-injured claimant, Sir Roger Tichborne, Baronite,
who was shut up in prison for many long years owing to his
endevouring to get an honest living by claiming somebody else's
estates. His career was one of adventure and romance, and
more especially romance. The celebrated trial in which he claimed
the estates of his distinguished and pious ancestors, lasted for
quite a superhuman epoch, which was a very severe trial indeed
for all who were engaged in it. This poor persecuted nobleman
failed in his praiseworthy intentions of obtaining a living, and
was sentenced to penal servitude for burglaring himself. He bore
the frowns of fortune with exemplary meekness, and served his
time in a way which showed that he was a nobleman born. His
experience forcibly illusterates how perfidious and barefaced are
the ways of the Jaw, For whilst he was emerged into a convict
dungeon, for merely claiming his paternal acres, them lawyers
themselves are constantly swallowing up their fellow creatures'
estates, and instead of getting punished they get paid for their
trouble. This injured innocent was the object of much popular
sympathy, for his aristocratic features and portly form gained
for him many entlmgiastic admirers. His talents, which were
of no mean order, were successfully illusterated in the genteel
sport of pigeon shooting, of which he was a princely patron,
showing that though he missed his mark his aims were
good.
His somewhat excessive waist caused him some trouble,
more especially as Sir Roger's portraits before leaving England
were of a lean description. He therefore endeavoured to work
it off by taking some of Mealy and Miffin's celebrated Anti-
Fat Mixture, and when wound up you will observe him taking
a dose of that exhilarating and nutritive delicacy, after which
he will give the true and unmistakable Tichborne smile,
whereby his mother recognised him. The Anti-Fat may be had
of the attendants.
MOVEMENT : — Raises bottle to his lips, brings it down again,
and smiles very broadly. Repeat.
2$ MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
THE MAIDEN ALL FORLORN, AND THE MAN
ALL TATTERED AND TORN.
This group represents the maiden all forlorn and likewise
the man all tattered and torn, two historical characters of
whom we know comparatively next to nothing at all. But
all that we do know fortunately abounds to their credit.
Their strange eventful history is mixed up in a curious manner
with the life of a house-builder of the unpretentious name of
Jack, who it appears was also interested in the malting
business. The young lady was a milkmaid, but why she was
all forlorn, poor young thing, is more than I can say, seeing
that she had not even known what it was to be married, let
alone being a widder. It has been shrewdly sermonised by
some that she was melancholy on account of her favourite cat
having been worried by the maltster's dog, owing to its not
being either muzzled or led. But I think when you gaze upon
the figure of her lovier you will agree with me, that the cause
of her anguidge was more probably owing to her young man
not being in the most nourishing of circumstances, as you
will observe by the somewhat dilapidated condition of his
wardrobes. However with the true womanly forbearance of
her sects, she took care not to refuse him on that account, and
they were accordingly married and lived happily ever after-
wards, though it took her a deal of time darning and patching
her husband's garments.
In the group before you the young man is about to imprint
a kiss of true love on her brow, and you will see the maidenly
way in which she receives this delicate attention.
MOVEMENT : — The man stoops from behind to kiss her
and she turns round and boxes his ear.
HENRY VIII.
This a is remarkably majestic and touching representation of
that celebrated monnick King Henry the Eighth, who, as you
may imagine by his appearance, filled the throne in a way that
few of his predecessors before or since have been able to. On
account of his being of a very matrimonial disposition, he was
declared by his majesty the Pope of Rome to be an infidel and
a heretic and was consequently solemnly exterminated by that
distinguished personage. In return for this favour, the
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 27
monnick, who had been appointed to the honorary office of
Defender of the Faith, took charge of about a thousand abbeys,
monasteries and convents. But let that pass ! You will
observe that in the figure before you he wears six mastiff gold
lockets, containing the representations of the six wives of his
spacious bosom, as you will perceive he was a very handsome
monnick which made him irresistible to the fair sex. He had
about five hundred servants, and from my limited experience
in keeping only one, I should think they brought down his
grey hairs with sorrow to the tomb. His principal favourite
was Lord Wolseley, who as you are aware has survived him, in
spite of the many battles he has been through.
When wound up the monnick will count up his wives and
widders upon his fingers.
MOVEMENT: — He counts up to six several times on his
fingers, and the last time goes on counting furiously, at
which Mrs. Jarley has the machinery stopped, and explains
that he occasionally makes a slight mistake, " owing to the
confusing number of his many spouses."
ALADDIN.
This figure is particularly full of instruction and warning
to young people, and shows the necessity of providing Board
Schools and compulsory education. Aladdin was allowed to
run loose about the streets, never having passed any standard..
His mother was a highly respectable Chinese widder, but he
was a perfect plague to her, on account of his shocking mis-
chieviousness. One day, as he was walking about the streets,
playing at tip-cat, and marbles, and other obnoxious and
obstructious games, a magician, who happened to have strolled
in from the neighbouring parish of Africa, suddenly folds his.
arms round Aladdin's waist and exclaims with teafs in hi&
eyes that it is his long lost nephew. This perfigious villin,
who was well known to the police as a ruffianly individual, he
sends Aladdin down the underground railway to get a magia
lamp. Aladdin got the lamp, but being a sharp boy he says,,
" Let me out first and you shall have the lamp, but I ain't-
going to be left alone in the dark." Whereupon the magician
he uses the most vindictive language, and shut up poor
Aladdin in those internal regions. The intelligent and precarious.
28 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
boy had had considerable experience in getting out of scrapes,
and he got home all right with the lamp. On polishing it up
with his mamma's handkerchief, a large number of black
servants popped up through trap doors in the floor and did all
they was required, without ever hinting at a rise in wages.
Having determined to settle down and turn over a new leaf,
Aladdin married the daughter of the Insulting, and built her
a, beautiful palace. His irreprehensible uncle, however,
managed to impose upon Mrs. Aladdin, senior, who was un-
acquainted with the deceitfulness of man, her husband having
been killed a few months after they were married. She
changed away the magic lamp on account of its unpleasant
smell, and the magician played high jinks with Aladdin's
palace. Aladdin, however, was one too many for him, and
shortly afterwards poisoned him, subsequently becoming the
Emperor of China, thus showing that all boys, by being per-
severing and kind and honest and turning over a new leaf, can
always keep themselves out of the workhouse by the exercises
of genius.
MOVEMENT : — He polishes up the lamp very violently,
stopping suddenly when the music ceases.
PENELOPE.
This is the wife of the great African explorer Ulysses. Her
husband being away on his travels a number of odious men
persecuted her with proposals of marriage, remarking that he
had been swallowed up by crocodiles. She put them off by the
-artful subterfuge of informing them that she was making a
pair of slippers for her respected grandparient, and could not
marry anyone until the last stitch was achieved. She used to
keep at her wool-work all day long, having no doubt a very
agreeable time of it, while her many admirers took it in turns
to hold the skeins of wool. At night she used to sit up
industerously undoing all the work she had done during the
day. By this simple and inexpensive pastime, she avoided a
prosecution for bigamy, and after a few years, when her husband
came home and turned the young men out of the house, she
finished the slippers, in peace, for her patient and aged relative.
To all ladies who have absent spouses, her industerous and
intelligent conduct should at once be a warning and an example,
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 29
a warning not to put the banns up without a burial certificate
and an example not to hastily dismiss any eligible young men
of a matrimonial turn, but to keep them hanging around in case
they should be wanted.
When wound up she will engage in the pleasing and useful
artifice of wool-work.
MOVEMENT : — Brings the needle and wool several times to
the work and back again.
GUY FAWKES.
This somewhat uncomplimentary figure represents the
renownded Guy Fawkes, a gentleman whose liniments will be
familiar to you all, from the numerous edgifys of him which
you have seen on various occasions. He was not, as you will
perceive, a strikingly handsome man, but after all beauty is but
a little faded flower, and handsome is as handsome does. Guy
Fawkes on one occasion attempted to blow up Parliament, and
as far as a weak woman can judge they probably deserved it,
for I've no patience with an Institooshun where they use such
desperate strong language, and keep such outrageous bad hours,
besides wasting the public time over a lot of irreprehensible
speeches and squandering the rates and taxes in a manner quite
shocking to behold. It is high time that Women's Sufferings
was passed to put a stop to all such nonsense. But, ladies and
gentlemen, let that pass ! Guy Fawkes failed in his noble
enterprise, owing to his attempting to strike one of Bryant and
May's Patent Safety Matches upon the wrong box. He was
accordingly walked about the streets on a small hand-barrow,
with a pipe in his mouth, and finally burnt alive in a bonfire
with a great display of fireworks, at the public expense.
When wound up you will see him vainly endeavouring to
strike one of these useful Patent Safety Matches, which are
consequently invaluable in families.
MOVEMENT! : — He strikes at a very large match-box with a
piece of wood, and shakes his head after each attempt.
CINDERELLA.
As a model emblem of all that a woman of the female
gender ought to be, Cinderella is altogether unequalled in the
SO MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
whole ranges of ancient and modern historical literature. She
was descended of illustrious pedigree, but she had the bad luck
to have a step-mother and two step-sisters, who were puffed
up with sinful pride, and treated her in a way which it was
shameful to behold, making her do all the scrubbing, and
washing, and darning the socks, with such like derogatory and
de-menial offices, whilst they flaunted about in silks and
satins, at balls, evening parties, theatres, and other gay haunts
of frivoling dissipation. Cinderella had a fairy godmother,
"who did a great many more things for her than is generally
the case, for she provided her with fine clothes, carriages, and
horses, and an invitation to the Royal ball, telling her, however,
that she must be home by twelve o'clock, a very sensible
admonition, for that is a time, in my opinion, when every man
and woman ought to be safe at home, and not staying out at
their clubs. Her beautiful demeanour and fine clothes
attracted the notice of the Prince of Wales, who danced every
dance with her, besides taking her down to supper. Un-
fortunately she forgot her godmother's advice and so she lost
her gorgeous apparels and had to walk home in the slush.
The fairy had presented her with a pair of glass slippers,
which must have been very convenient and comfortable to
dance in, especially as they had a habit of coining off. She
dropped one of these remarkable slippers at the ball, and by
this means all came right in the end, for her name and address
were thereby discovered, and she was married in grand style
to his Royal Highness.
The moral of her simple narrative is not to be home late
at night, for " Early to bed and early to rise is the way to
catch all the worms and the flies."
MOVEMENT : — She sweeps the floor with a broom.
WILLIAM RUFUS.
This is William Rufus, the celebrated king, who was so
called on account of his magnificent auburn locks which you
will observe hanging about his kingly brow in luxorious
profusion. He was a devoted patron of the sportive science
of fox-hunting, and spent most of his time in that engrossing
pursuit. You will see that he holds in his hand his hunting horn,
with the kingly blast of which lie used to summon his gay
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 31
retainers. In his side is the deadly and fatal arrow which
terminated his promising career. He was boldly pursuing tho
ferocious fox to his secret lair in the depths of a gloomy forest
when a traitorous villin shot him in the heart. When wound
up you will see him summoning his attendants to hear his last
words. In this age of School Board education it would be super-
fluminious for me to recapitulate the principal events of this
noble monnick's glorious reign. You will see by his princely
liniments that he was every inch a king, and I think I may
sum up his honourable career in the words of the iinmortial
poet Laureate : —
He was a man, take him for all in all
We shall not like to look on him again !
MOVEMENT : — He blows the horn several times.
THE DECEASED MR. JARLEY.
I must now ask you, ladies and gentlemen, to kindly excuse
my emotion. This expressive figure is the counterpane resent-
ment of my lost Jarley (sobs). He was the originator and
sole proprietor of these waxworks, which are now carried on
by his widder, who has added extensively to the collection
(sobs). But let that pass ! You will see by his mastiff brow
and eagle eye, that he was a genius of the deepest dye, as well
as a man of soaring and elevated dispogition (sobs). Although
of noble birth, and princely origin, he preferred to abandon
the glittering mazes and dazzling splendours of rank and
fashion, and nobly devoted himself to the pursuit of the
peaceful and popular art and science of waxworks, whereby
he conferred untold blessings upon his suffering fellow creatures,
and left his sorrowing widder with an honourable and old-
established business to console her for his loss (sobs). The
waistcoat he has on is the very one he was married in
(sobs).
When wound up he will raise his hospitable glass to his
lips — which was his favourite occupation.
MOVEMENT : — Raises glass to his lips as if giving a toast,
to the air of " Auld Lang Syne."
32 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
JASPER PACKLEMERTOK
(This description is taken almost entirely from Charles
Dickens.)
This, ladies and gentlemen, is Jasper Packlemerton, of
atrocious memory, who courted and married fourteen wives,
and destroyed them all by tickling the soles of their feet, when
they was calmly slumbering in the consciousness of innocence
and virtue. He was watched through a crack in the door by
his infant prodigy, who consequentially, with filial devotion,
brought his pa to justice and the gallows. On being led to the
scaffold and asked if he was sorry for what he had done, he
said, yes, he was sorry for having let 'em off so easy, and he
hoped all Christian husbands would pardon him the offence, and
take pattern by his example. Let this be a warning to all
young ladies to be pa,rtickler — as to the character of the gentle-
men of their choice. Observe that his fingers is curled as if
in the act of tickling and when wound up you will perceive a
wink in his left eye as he appeared when committing his
barbarous murders.
MOVEMENT: — He moves his fingers rapidly as if tickling,,
and winks at intervals.
MES. JARLEY'S
FAR-FAMED COLLECTION OF
WAXWORKS
AND
STATUARY.
PART IV.
BY
W. GURNEY BENHAM.
With full directions for Arrangement, Positions, Movements,
Costumes, Properties, &c.
LONDON :
SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD.,
PUBLISHERS,
89, STRAND,
NEW YORK:
SAMUEL FRENCH,
PUBLISHER :
26, WEST 22ND STREET.
MES. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. ^
CONTENTS.
PART I.
Mrs. Jarley— Little Nell— John and Peter— The Chinese Giant— Mrs.
Jack Sprat— Two-headed Girl — Lord Byron— Sewing Woman — Childe
Harold— Mrs. Winslow— The Live Yankee— Captain Kidd— The Old-
fashioned Sewing Machine— Victim— The Cannibal— The Mermaid— The
Bachelor — The Maniac — His Lady-love— The Siamese Twins — Mother
Ooose— The Boy that stood on the Burning Deck— Little Bo-Peer;— The
Giggler— The Dvarf-Old Kinsr C^le— Blue Beard— The Contraband—
:Signorina Squallini- Babes in the Woe d — Jack Sprat — Little Red Riding
Hood — F.«ir One with Golden Locks. The Antique Chamber (lately added) :
Models represented : Jupiter — Juno — Bacchus— Minerva — Apollo— Hebe—
Mars.— Cupid.
PART II.
Chamber of Beauty : Opening Speech of Mrs. Jarley -^-Sleeping Beauty
and the Prince — Queen Eleanor and Fair Rosan.ond — John Alden and
Priscilla— Rebecca and Rowena — Alonzo the Brave and Fair Imogene — The
•Gracchi— Beatrice Cenci. Chamber of Horrors : Mrs. Jarley's Speech-
Medusa — Violante — Vampire — Father Time — Savage and his Flying Victim
— Ruffian disarmed by a Smile— Spoiled Child — Bearded Woman — Man
Monkey. Historical Ch"inber : Mrs. Jarley's Speech — Joan of Arc — Robin
Hood — Alexander the Great — Robinson Crusoe — King Alfred — Diogenes —
Man with the Iron Mask — Nero— King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid.
Shakespearian Chamber : Mrs. Jarley's Speech — Lady Macbeth — Titania—
Ophelia— Juliet— King Lear— Hermione— Richard III.
PART III.
Grace Darling — Simple Simon — Queen Elizabeth — Uncle Tom — Gipsy
Queen— Gipsy King— Jack Horner — Shakespeare — Flora — Dr. Watts-
John Bull— Queen of Hearts— Knave of Hearts — Ancient Mariner — Mia§
Brooker— Robert Bruce- Zadkiel— Mr. Pickwick— Mrs. Bardell— William
Tell— Britannia— Ally Sloper— The Black Prince— The Claimant— Maiden
all Forlorn— Man all Tapered and Torn— Henry VIII.— Aladdin-
Penelope— Guy Fawkes— Cinderella^William Ruf us— Deceased Mr. Jarley
— Jasper Packlemerton.
i PREFACE.
ALTHOUGH the representation of "Mrs. Jarley's Wax-
works " involves comparatively little dramatic knowledge or
ability, and is certain of success if undertaken with care by
ordinarily intelligent performers, it is necessary to point out
that a considerable amount of rehearsal is very desirable to
make the effect really satisfactory. At rehearsals the per-
formers should remain perfectly still and go through their
various movements, carefully regulated by pianoforte accom-
paniment, in exactly the same way as at the performance
itself. The descriptions should also be rehearsed in order
that the figures may be prepared for what will be said concerning
them, and that they may know the length of time during
which it is necessary that they should remain motionless.
Special pains should be taken to determine the exact position
of each figure in the group, as a great deal depends upon the
general effect of the stage when the curtain rises. If possible
all the figures should be in sight of the audience and account
should be taken of the colours of the costumes, that the
general effect may be harmonious and pleasing.
With regard to statuary, which cannot well bs moved
forward, it will be found that very often one side of the stage
is not visible to advantage to the whole of the audience. To
remedy this it is well to drop the curtain and to let the figures
rapidly change places, so that all may be seen in turn. These
effects should all be rehearsed.
Considerable amusement may be occasioned by the fall of
the figures at critical moments, and such falls should be pre-
arranged and practised.
John and Peter may make a good deal of fun by means of
by-play with the figures, turning them the wrong way, giving
them the wrong properties, polishing and painting their faces
before the audience, <fcc.
Between the groups singing or recitations may be intro-
duced.
W. GURNET BENHAM.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 7
CHARACTERS, COSTUMES, AND PROPERTIES.
Little Nell. — Short girl's dress ; hair down back ; slippers.
Holds P. pointed wand .... Page 12
The May Queen. — White dress; floral wreath; dress garlanded
with flowers ; in right hand a floral sceptre ; sits in a
bower of flowers and evergreens . . . Page 12
Mrs. Allen's Hair Restorer. — Modern dress; long hair, loose;
holds brush and hand mirror . . . Page 13
Old Mother Hubbard. — Pointed red hat ; grey wig ; old-
fashioned dress ; red petticoat ; buckle shoes ; carries a
basket Page 13
Mother Hubbard's Dog. — Dog's head mask and skin dress ; pipe
in left hand; may be seated on small stool . Page 13
Buffalo Bill. — Large American felt hat ; long black wig,
moustache, and imperial; a leather jacket and bright
coloured or striped vest ; revolvers, &c., round waist ;
corduroy breeches and gaiters ; holds a gun. Page 14
The Queen was in the Parlour. — Crown ; ermine-trimmed
robes ; a table with plate and large jar labelled " Honey."
Page 15
The Cat and the Fiddle. — Cat's mask and skin dress; stands
upright holding fiddle .... Page 15
Humpty Dumpty. — A large egg-shaped stuffed white bag with
buttons in front and coloured sash and necktie ; the
head consists of mask with hat on, fastened to bag ; the
whole standing on a wall which may be a screen with
paper painted to represent brickwork ; a boy or girl
holds the figure from behind showing hands and arms
with white sleeves on each side . . . Page 16
Tweedledum and Tweedledee. — Two small boys resembling each
other, with arms over each other's shoulders; tight
scarlet jackets and calico trousers, well padded ; large
white collars with "Tweedledum" and "Tweedledee"
printed on them ; red and white cricket caps ; each
holds a wooden revolving rattle. The figures are lifted
forward together ..... Page 16
8 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
* Liberty. — High spiked crown (or cap of liberty if preferred) ;
hair loose ; classical drapery ; holds a torch in right
hand and scroll in the other . . . Page 17
* Justice. — Hair loose and bandage over eyes ; classical drapery;
in right Jband a Grecian sword and a pair of beam scales
in left Page 17
* Elaine. — Hair loose and white drapery ; sits in reclining
position, bending over a shield which is covered with
drapery ....... Page 18
* Rip Van Winkle. — Long hair and beard ; broad brimmed
high-crowned straw hat ; large loose collar ; tattered
jacket, breeches, and stockings ; seated on stump of tree
or three-legged stool ..... Page 18
* Girton Graduate. — Mortarboard cap, and gown black or
scarlet, with collegiate hood ; holds a scroll Page 18
* Titania. — White dress, with flowers ; crown ; reclines on
sloping bank covered with evergreens, flowers, &c.
Page 19
* Puck. — Erect wig ; close fitting tunic and tights, with
flowers wreathed ; wings .... Page 19
Maid Marian. — Hair loose ; velvet cap and feather ; green
dress, braided with red ; bow and arrows ; bugle hung
round neck is held in right hand . . Page 19
| The Cruel Butcher. — Butcher's blue apron ; jacket ; red beard
and wig ; holds a large knife in right hand. A lamb
made of jointed cardboard, or otherwise, with a blue
ribbon round its neck, should be let down from above by
string Page 20
f The Miser. — Grey hair ; livid face and dirty chin : old ragged
clothes; sits at a table covered with coins . Page 21
t The Cruel Nursemaid. — Mob cap ; bib and apron ; print
dress ; sits on chair with a cradle on each side of her.
Page 22
f Bloodthit sty Bull-Fighter. — Feathered cap; black wig and
moustache ; white cambric shirt, and loose coloured jacket ;
loose red neckerchief; coloured silk breeches and stockings;
dagger ; buckle shoes Page 23
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 9
f The American Scarecrow. — Tall knockpd-in hat ; ragged coat
with stars ; striped calico trousers ; straw stuffing at feet,
armholes, &c. ; old cigar end in mouth ; Yankee beard ;
in right hand an old stove-brush ; in left an old can full
of stones Page 23
t Jack Sheppard. — Close-cropped wig ; 18th century coat,
plain and dingy ; bare neck and white loose shirt ; knee
breeches ; stockings ; buckle shoes ; hands and feet
chained ; seated on coarse wooden chair or bench.
Page 24
t The Nobleman's Daughter. — Old-fashioned silk or ordinary
dress ; holds large hair-pin in right hand and missionary
box in left ....... Page 24
t Skipping Girl. — Sun bonnet and ordinary modern girl's dress;
holds skipping rope ..... Page 25
f The Japanese Conjuror. — Japanese wig ; loose flowered
gown with large sleeves ; hilt of a scimitar (which may
be made of cardboard) protruding from front of dress,
and blade fixed at back . . . . Page 26
f The Gipsy who Kidnapped a School. — Long black hair, loose ;
rich coloured loose Oriental dress, with chains, &c., or old
bonnet and cloak . Page 27
Miss Muffet. — Poke bonnet ; short dress ; sits on stool with
basin and spoon. A large spider should be let down from
roof Page 27
Pygmalion. — Light classical tunic and tights, with cloak;
mallet and sculptor's chisel ; flowing dark wig.
Page 28
* Galatea. — White classical drapery ; whitened hair and face ;
stands on white pedestal ; chips of stone in fold of dress.
28
Mary the Milkmaid. — Sun bonnet ; print dress, with bib and
apron ; bare neck and arms ; carries milking-pail under
left arm, and red handkerchief in right hand Page 28
Dick Whittington. — Brown cap and feather ; brown tunic and
tights ; carries a cat under left arm, and is discovered
10 MRS. JAKLEY'S WAXWORKS.
kneeling on one knee. A box painted as a milestone
may be placed near ..... Page 29
f Shylock. — Grey wig and beard ; loose dark gaberdine, tied
round with plain cord ; carries knife in right hand, and
scales and old slipper in left . . . Page 30
* These figures may be introduced as statues ; their faces, arms, hair,
wigs, &c., being whitened, and all dresses and properties white, pedestals
being formed of boxes, covered with calico. Terra-cotta figures may bft
made by colouring faces, dresses, &c. , with terra-cotta colour.
t These figures may be grouped together as a Chamber of Horrors.
DIRECTIONS.
MRS. JARLEY. — Mrs. Jarley's part may be played by
gentleman or lady. She should have large bonnet, or cap ;
old fashioned dress ; bright shawl ; basket ; bottle ; bright
handkerchief, and " Gamp " umbrella. Mrs. Jarley may
be seated at a table in front of the curtain, and at the side of
the stage.
PETER AND JOHN. — The two assistants may be made up
as negroes, as livery servants, or in exaggerated evening-dress ;
and should be provided with feather brushes, oilcans, screw-
drivers and winders, which may consist of noisy winding
rattles.
GROUPING AND MAKE-UP OF FIGURES. — Ten, or more
figures (according to the size of the stage) may be formed
into a semi-circular group. Each figure should be brought
forward and may be placed on a pedestal in centre of stage.
In some cases where figures are in centre or corner of the
stage, moving may be dispensed with, and the pedestal is not
required for all figures, nor for groups. Dresses should be
bright, and vivid patches of rouge may be given to most
figures.
LIGHT. — A good light must be thrown on the stage.
Limelight is of valuable assistance.
PIANOFORTE ACCOMPANIMENTS. — The movements of each
figure, which should be of a jerky description, should be
accompanied and regulated by suitable pianoforte music.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
AN OPENING ADDRESS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, — It is indeed a pleasure to me
to visit this highly ancient and venerable place upon this most-
suspicious occasion, to show before you my transcendential,
mechanical, auto-magic waxworks, the like of which has never
been seen before upon these terrestrial globes. I will, in the
first place, venture, in the most respectful manner possible,
to congratulate you one and all, separately and collectively,
upon your personal appearance. I would also take the liberty
of thanking you for your attendance, and would likewise
express my great relief at the honourable way in which you
all paid for admission at the doors. As jVOu are no doubt
aware the figures which I shall show you are all fitted up
inside with the most deliberate clockworks and will be wound
up by my two talented assistants, Peter and John. Their
machinery is very delicate and difficult to manage, requiring
frequent attention. If, therefore, thoy should make any mis-
takes I hope that you will kindly look upon them with a
refulgient eye. But art is long and waxworks is fleeting, and
therefore without any further contradictory illusions, I will at
once commence my prescriptions.
12 MRS. JARLEY'S WAX.WORKS.
LITTLE NELL.
This figure is an exact fac-simi.lar representation of my
former attendant, Little Nell, done by one of the most con-
sumptive artists of the present age. She was indeed a treasure
to me when she used to exhibit my collection to the nobility
and gentry. Everybody was desperately in love with her,
and one of my money-takers went so completely out of his
mind, on her account, that he embezzled the whole week's
takings and has not since been heard of. She made such a
deep impression upon the acceptable hearts of Peter and John,
that I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, in strict confi-
dence, that they have both taken a solemn vow to live and
die in single blessedness unless forcibly abducted by rich
heiresses. But let that pass ! She could point out the figures
in such an easy and graceful manner, and describe them too,
that I have reason to believe that she would, in the course of
time, have achieved something like my own flow of language.
You will see, by merely looking at her effigy, that she is a
model of a girl. Her memorials have been well related by
my honoured patron, the late Mister Charles Dickens, though
I am sorry to say that he has hardly done me equal justice,
being somewhat wanting in his depreciation of the highest
forms of genius and the loftiest elevations of character.
When wound up you will see Little Nell pointing out the
figures in her usual repressive manner.
MOVEMENT : — She turns slowly round pointing with a rod
at the various figures and inclining her head at intervals.
THE MAY QUEEN.
This is the celebrated young lady who gave particular
instructions to her aged and hardworking parient that she
was to be called early on account of her being Queen of
the May. T am not aware that it is usual for royal personages
to rise at a partickerly early hour, but some allowance must be
made for this young lady on account of her hignorance and
want of heddication. I do not know very much about her,
either for good or for bad, though I am sorry to say that
have heard that she was of a somewhat frivolous temperature.
If, however, any gentlemen present should, in spite of this
fact, desire for any further inflammation concerning her
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 13
pedigree and other virchoos and peculiarities, I -would refer
him to the poet Venison, for I am told that she is fully
described in one of his interesting and sensational three
volume novels.
MOVEMENT : — She raises her floral sceptre several times
and kisses her hand to the audience.
MRS. ALLEN'S HAIR RESTORER.
This figure is one of the chief wonders of my collection,
which is owing to my late friend and companion in widow's
weeds, Mrs. Allen, almost as much as to myself, for all the
hair on the head of this image was grown simply by the
application of two bottles of Mrs. Allen's celebrated hair
restorer. Mrs. Allen was so inconsolable when poor Allen
was taken in an apocalyptical fit that she tore out nearly the
whole of her luxuriant tresses, shortly after which she re-
membered that on account of her eleven young children it was
her mellincholly duty,if possible, to marry again,and accordingly
she tried all the arts with which she was acquainted to make
it grow again. After much scientific analysis of the various
kinds of kitchen fat she finally discovered her wonderful hair
restorer, which has been a boon and a blessing to the whole
civilised female world. Unfortunately her scientific explora-
tions so undermined her health that she expired soon after her
wonderful discovery, having, however, in the meantime received
fourteen offers which proved the effixy and value of the
marvellous mixture. I may add that bottles of this compound
may be obtained after the entertainment at the door ; also
that if anyone would like a lock off this young lady's head
they can be had at five shillings each.
MOVEMENT : — She combs out her hair, looking at herself
while doing so in a hand mirror.
OLD MOTHER HTJBBARD AND HER DOG.
This old lady is the celebrated Mother Hubbard whose
story has been handed down to us in a short but elegant
piece of poesy. 1 am afraid she was not a person of the very
highest character, for she kept a performing dog, and per-
forming dogs are, in my opinion, having seen a good deal of
14 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
them, a low and inferior kind of exhibition, being neither
instructive nor artistic like waxwork shows. But let that
pass ! Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard to fetch a bone
for her voracious animal, which is one advantage about wax-
works that they do not cost anything for food. The cunning
brute, whose image is here faithfully represented, had evidently
visited the cupboard before her, for when she got there she
found that it was bare. She accordingly went out to purchase
various commodities from the confiding tradesmen of the
neighbourhood, for the purpose of satisfying the pampered
creature, and upon each occasion on her return she found the
animal going through his somewhat numerous tricks. His
degraded and vicious disposition was partickerly exemplified
when she went out to buy him an appetising meal of tripe,
and upon her return found him engaged in the obnoxious
practice of smoking a pipe. He was, however, not utterly
lost to all sense of morality, for upon the old lady making a
curtsey the dog made a polite bow.
When wound up you will see her in the act of curtseying
and the dog returning the compliment.
MOVEMENT : — The two figures approach one another and
curtsey and bow respectively.
BUFFALO BILL.
This figure you will recognise as one of the cutest and
most imposing personages of the present century, the Honour-
able Buffalo Bull, who made an exhibition of his native land
in London, for the benefit of the British public and his own
pocket. I have not myself been to see his celebrated circus,
having a Christian horror of pistols and rifles and longbows
and other firearms, which I am told he is partial to, like
most Americans For my own part T think a waxwork show
is much more elevating to the mind, and much more civilised
than a lot of wild men a chasing wild beasts on wild horses
and making as much noise as they possibly can. I have a
horror of horses of all kinds, and what any sane and sober
person can see to admire in a buck-jumper is more than I can
imagine, and as for buffaloes, a cow is quite enough for me,
and a great deal too much. Nevertheless, let that pass, for I
Lave a sincere respect for the Honourable Buffalo Bull, having
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 15
always been taught that it is my bounden duty towards my
neighbour to admire and respect people who are successful.
In this image he is dressed in the peculiar costume of his
native island, and you will particklarly observe that he is
wearing his cellybrated Wild Vest. I must say for myself
that if I were Mrs. Buffalo Bull, which I certainly should not
wish to be on any account, I should make him wear a respect-
able waistcoat and also have his hair cut. But let that pass !
I may add that I obtained this dedly weppin in his hand
from the Honourable Buffalo Bull himself. It is, he told me
himself, the identical gun with which he killed 535 Indians
one morning before breakfast, and he consequently values it
considerably.
MOVEMENT : — He raises his gun and flourishes his hat
alternately.
THE QUEEN WAS IN THE PARLOUR.
This is the figure of the celebrated Queen who is renownded
in a famous poem on account of the sweetness of her dis-
position, as was exemplified in her taste for bread and honey.
The poem is somewhat after the manner of Mr. Swinburne,
and is consequentially difficult to understand. It begins with a
mysterficatious reference to a sixpence and a pocket full of
rye, proceeding to refer to a noble monnick who fed himself
on live blackbirds and employed himself largely in counting
up his money.
When wound up you will see the way in which royal
personages spread their bread and honey and eat it.
MOVEMENT : — She raises her bread and honey to her mouth
and bites at it vindictively.
THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE.
The poem of "Hey diddle diddle the Cat and the Fiddle »
is also understood to be by Mr. Swinburne, being slightly
mixed and disconnected. We all know that cats are fond of
musical evenings and have much harmony in their souls.
Also that they have a special interest in the manufacture of
fiddles, in whioh they play an important part. This uncommon
16 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
animal, however, was able to play several tunes on the pleasing
instrument, and when wound up you will hear it give a brief
solo performance.
MOVEMENT : — Plays for a few seconds on the fiddle.
HUMPTY DUMPTY.
This is the great Humpty Dumpty whose pride in ascend-
ing to the top of this wall met with the usual result, namely,
that he fell down ignominiously, breaking himself in several
places and making it quite impossible for the whole of the
king's army, who at once hastened to the spot, to put him
together again. Humpty Dumpty is believed to have been a
high dignitary of ancient times who had become somewhat
addled with pride.
When wound up you will see how he lost his balance.
MOVEMENT : — The figure is swayed backwards and for-
wards by the person behind, whose hands and arms also
gesticulate. Finally, the person disappears behind the screen
or wall, pushing the figure forward upon the stage.
TWEEDLEDUM AND TWEEDLEDEE.
These two figures, ladies and gentlemen, are the life-like
representations of Tweedledum and Tweedledee. We know
comparatively next to nothing at all of their strange eventual
history. From their resemblance to each other it is commonly
supposed that they were brothers, and the one on the left,
especially, is so uncommonly like the other that it is thought
that he must be a twin. I regret that the only thing that I
can tell you about them is that they fought about a very
trifling matter, which circumstance also induces me strongly
to believe that they must have been brothers, the somewhat
fragmentary poem which relates their auto-geographies
stating : —
Tweedledum and Tweedledee
Went out to have a battle,
For Tweedledum, said Tweedledee,
Had spoilt his nice new rattle.
If you will excuse my making a feeling-scoffical observation
I may add that I have known many people quarrel over
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 17
differences quite as trifling as those of Tweedledum and
Tweedledee. But let that pass !
When wound up you will see them playing with their
rattles in harmony, a pleasing occupation which must have
caused much joy in their ancestral home.
MOVEMENT : — Both figures set their rattles in motion
violently.
LIBERTY.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is a representation of the
celebrated figure which has been erected at the entrance of
New York Harbour in order to show the unwary mariners
that when they enter [or leave] that port they leave Liberty
behind them. As a rule Liberty is associated with a crust of
bread, but in the present case the artist has omitted that
necessary, but if an artist cannot take a liberty when taking
such a subject as this, where is the Liberty of the subject1?
But let that pass ! When I gaze upon this figure I feel
inclined to remark in the words of the philosopher, " Good
old Liberty, how many crimes have been committed in thy
name ! " Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you all to
gaze upon Liberty, for you cannot, any of you, tell how soon
you may be deprived of it.
MOVEMENT : — If wound up the figure waves a torch above
her head.
JUSTICE.
This is a worthy representation of the great subject of
Justice. She bears in her right hand her celebrated scales,
her treatment of persons in general being of a very scaly
description ; at least, that is my experience, In her left hand
she carries her sword, which, as you may perceive, is carefully
tempered with mercy. You will notice that my artist has
taken great pains to make her even-handed, Her eyes are
bandaged, which is supposed to be the reason that she makes
so many mistakes, and loses sight of so many deserving people,
MOVEMENT : — If wound up she raises her sword slowly
ard strikes with it.
18 MBS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
ELAINE.
This is a statute of the lovable Elaine, who was one of the
idols of the king, celebrated in the poems of Venison. Like
many young ladies she became too fond of a military gentle-
man, which his name was Lancelot. On finding that he was
engaged she died of love. He gave her a somewhat mastiff
keepsake in the shape of his shield, and in this figure you will,
see how carefully uhe guarded it, and how clean she kept it.
She was known as the Lily of Astolat, and you will see that
iny artist has carefully preserved "her delicate complexion.
After her death she was sent down the river in a boat
addressed to King Arthur, who very generously paid her
funeral expenses.
MOVEMENT : — She uiY^overs and displays the shield which
is draped.
RIP YAN WINKLE.
You have all doubtless heard of the renownded Rip Van
Winkle, who slept for twenty years in the mountains of North
America, and when he woke he was naturally a good deal
surprised and disgusted at thr; goings on in his absence, as
anybody no doubt would be who had gone to sleep in this
pleasing city for twenty years.
He is here represented after he woke from his refreshing
slumbers.
MOVEMENT : — He stretches his arms and yawns.
THE GIRTON GRADUATE.
This figure, ladies and gentlemen, is a young spinster of
arts, being one of the most promising young graduates of
Girton College, and a strong believer in woman's rights, in
which I am sure I fully coincide with her, being an advocate
myself of women's sufferings, for if a woman is not a superior
being to a man, all I can say is that she must be very worthless
indeed and not fit to live. But let that pass ! This young
lady, like most of the Girton young ladies, is a first-class
wrangler, and knows as much as any half-dozen men put
together, as indeed most women do. She has written several
learned books upon dressmaking, flirting, and other abstruse
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. If)
sciences, but it is principally as a lecturer to men that shu
is celebrated, being unequalled in that respect even by any of
the female raoe, for, like most ladies of her sects, she is a true
philanthropist at heart, and also disposed to take a mercifu1
view of the shortcomings of benighted and degraded man.
When wound up you will see h^ r in the act of lecturing.
MOVEMENT : — She raises and flourishes a roll of paper
several times, bringing it down on each occasion with consider-
able force.
TITANIA AND PUCK.
This group represents Titan i a and Puck. Titania, as yotf
are all aware, was the Queen of the Fairies. Her husband,
whose name was Overbearon, was so called on account of his
jealous dispogition, and he used to lead her rather a sad lifo
of it, keeping very bad hours at night, and shocking company.
This person, whose name was Puck, was one of his gentlemen
friends, and in order to gratify the jealous raonnick he poured
the contents of a patent love filter into the eyes of Titania
when she was asleep. The result of this proceeding was that
when she woke up she fell in love with a gentleman in the
weaving trade, whose head was changed into a donkey's.
Subsequently all came right in the end and they lived happily
ever afterwards. The story delicately insinuates what donkeys
some people make of themselves when they are in love, also
that there is hope even for the ugliest donkey. In this group
you s«-e the mischievous Puck pouring out of the filter into the
eyes of the sleeping queen.
MOVEMENT : — Puck balances himself on oue foot and waves
a phial over the face of Titania, who moves her arms languidly.
MAID MARIAN.
irou would perhaps hardly suspect that this charming
ung lady was convicted some thirty-five times of poaching.
he was the wife of the celebrated Robin Hood, a very
notorious poacher of bygone days, and she and her husband
were the terror of the gamekeepers and the poli"e for miles
round. Her name was Maid Marian, and she and her husband
lived under the greenwood trees in Sherwood Forest, which
20 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
could not have been a very comfortable home for her, though
at any rate it was free from the troubles of rent, servants, and
the Income-tax, which are the three principal banes of this
long-suffering human existence. Robin Hood was unfortu-
nately in the habit of sneaking out his precarious livelihood
by means of occasional highway burglaries in the midst of the
gloomy forest, and when wound up you will hear Maid Marian
blow a martial blast upon her bugle to warn her husband and
his merry men of the near approach of the police.
MOVEMENT : — She brings the bugle to her mouth and
blows it — repeated several times.
THE CRUEL BUTCHER WHO MURDERED THE
PET LAMB.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you have tears prepare to shed
them now. The story of this arge-ruffian is one which cannot
fail to draw the tear of sensibility from the most stiffnecked
bosom. This barbarious butcher, having made an enormous
fortune out of the high price of meat, became a landed pro-
prietor, and you may see his prosperity in the smile which
illuminates the lower part of his head. One of his unfortunate
tenants, who was ninety years old and an orphan, was unable
to pay his rent on account of the depressing state of agriculture,
and he made a highly affecting appeal to this cruel man to
let him off payment upon this occasion and he would certainly
never do it again. But the butcher would not listen to this
touching request. He forgot the striking words of the im-
memorial poet, Shakespeare, upon the subject of Mercy, when
he says : —
The man of property should not distrain,
Or he'll drop like the gentleman from heaven,
Never to rise again.
Accordingly he put the bailiffs in, and they seized upon the
pet lamb, which belonged to the infant daughter of the aged
and depressed agriculturist. Once more to quote the laureate
bard, I may say : —
She washed that lamb with Bailey's soap,
Which its fleece was white as snow,
And wherever she chose to slope
That lamb it was puffictly certain to go.
In spite of the pigeous screams of this infant child they
MKS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 21
bore the lamb away to the butcher's slaughter-house, where it
was fatted up for the space of a fortnight. In the mean-
time the broken-hearted and somewhat aged farmer, by means
of pawning his only piano and his Sunday suit, had managed
to raise all his rent with the exception of 3s. 6d. The
remorsiless butcher, however, declared that he would have his
pounds of flesh, lamb being then one and ninepence, and he
therefore spent his bank holiday in cutting the lamb's throat,
afterwards skinning it with his own gore-stained fingers.
After executing this heartless deed he became the victim of
the keen and annoying anguidge caused by the fangs of
remorse. He was haunted, morning, afternoon, and evening,
but more especially in the stilly night, by the vision of the
murdered lamb. After several unsuccessful attempts to cut
his own throat with the wrong side of his knife, he ended his
days in an asylum, his principal delusion being that he was a
grilled lamb chop.
When wound up you will see him as he appeared when
haunted by the ghost of his victim, after which he will cut
his throat with the wrong side of his knife.
MOVEMENT : — The lamb is let down by a string and drawn
up quickly, each time the butcher strikes at it. After it is
finally drawn up he passes the knife backwards and forwards
across his throat.
THE MISER WHO" STARVED HIMSELF TO DEATH.
This is the representation of Matthew MacMulligan, the
celebrated miser, who lived in a garret in Fulham Road and
amassed the large fortune of £20,000 by means of picking up
pins, orange-peel, and cigar ends upon the London pavements.
During the early part of his life he lived with great frugality
upon his relations, but, having survived them, he existed during
his remaining years almost entirely upon his finger nails and
acid drops. Upon one occasion a charitable passenger in the
street, noticing his peculiar appearance, presented him with a
cake of Pears' soap, which is excellent for the complexion — in
fact, I use no other — but such was his meanness that he took
it internally for his Sunday dinner. He counted up his
money every night, and in order to save expense and to
prevent being observed, he did so without a candle, the result
being that an enterprising lodger who watched him through
2 2 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
a chink in the door gradually changed them for Hanover
medals and gilded sixpences. This miserly wretch reduced
his food at last to one acid drop daily, the result being that
he starved himself to death. When discovered, the horrible
fact is related that several rats were found writliing upon the
floor in great agony, having broken their teeth and dislocated
their jaws in their efforts to devour his remains. Upon
searching his apartment an immense store of counterfeit coin
was found under the boards.
MOVEMENT : — Bends over the money and grabs at it
violently.
THE CRUEL NURSEMAID WHO CHANGED THE
TWINS.
This young person was nursemaid in a baronite's family of
high degree, but being one day discovered by the butler in
the very act of devouring some of the dog's biscuits she
received a month's notice from her indignant mistress. There-
upon she was seized with the spirit of revenge. She deter-
mined to wreak her hatred upon the innocent twins who were
under her charge, and used to beat and shake them in a manner
which was highly shocking to the nerves of the whole house-
hold. Two days before she left she cruelly changed them
from their cradles, whereby they became hopelessly mixed,
and the one who was twenty minutes younger than the other
became a baronite and the heir to an estate worth .£50,000 a
year, whilst his unfortunate brother had to be content with
**ily a bishopric. She came to a bad end, for she married a
/iegro, who subsequently sold her into slavery on the Gold
Coasts of Central Afriker, where she was beaten to death with
susrar canes, having previously made a full confession of her
perfigeous deed, the result being that the younger brother,
who had ruined himself and his estate with horse racing,
resigned it all with the title to his injured brother, being
rather glad to be appointed bishop in his place. Showing
that all is well that ends well.
When wound up you will see her shaking and changing
the twins.
MOVEMENT : — She takes each doll separately and shakes
it violently, finally throwing them both violently into tho
opposite cradles.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 23
THE BLOODTHIRSTY BULL-FIGHTER WHO FELL
A VICTIM TO GLUTTONY.
This bloodthirsty man is the celebrated Corridor de la
Gorey, the champion light-weight bull-fighter of the whole
world. I have 110 sympathy with such explodes, for I hold
with the poet,
Britannia needs no bull-fights,
Her home is on the deep,
which I hold that bull-fights is a degrading practice only
indulged in in those countries where the ennobling exhibition
of waxworks is unknown. But let that pass ! This remark-
able person, after passing through a thousand deadly en-
counters, fell a mellincholy victim to gluttony, by choking
himself with a large slice of bread and marmalade in his ?ixty-
ninth year. We originally had a magnificent waxwork bull
with which he used to light when wound up, but it was so
life-like that it tossed Peter and John in several places, and
consequentially had to be, destroyed.
When wound up you will see him taking the bull by the
horns and also artifully dodging it to get out of its way.
MOVEMENT : — The figure sways from side to side grasping
with his hands as if holding a bull's horns, and at intervals
ducking his head suddenly to the right.
THE REMARKABLE AMERICAN SCARECROW.
This is a wonderful example of the ingenuity of man, and
for that reason I have been induced to include it in my
Chamber of Terrors. It is a representation of the new auto-
magic American scarecrow, invented and patented by my
talented friend the Honourable Lieutenant General Tim Potts,
the Chicago manufacturer, who will execute any orders which
any enterprising agriculturist present may like to entrust me
with. This wondrous figure has been found most efficacious
in many parts of America and has received many highly
nattering testimonials. One farmer writes to mention that
it has not only frightened the crows off his corn but it so
terrified several of the younger birds that they have brought
back the corn which they had stolen several days previously.
Peter, wind him up.
MOVEMENT : — He suddenly jerks himself to a half-sitting
24 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
position and beats a can full of stones with an old brush,
jerking himself up again with great suddenness and violence.
JACK SHEPPARD IN PRISON.
I regret to say that I cannot tell you anything good about
this somewhat pleasing-looking youth, inasmuch as he was a
villin of the deepest dye, being the nefarious Jack Sheppard,
burglar and highwayman. I have a strong objection to
burglars myself, though I don't know as I have ever seen one
excepting in my dreams. But let that pass ! Jack Sheppard
showed an early inclination for the burglary business, sneaking
numerous things out of his mother's cupboards at the age of
only seven years. He had several narrow escapes in the
course of his professional career, but the narrowest of all was
a chimney in Newgate Prison which was only ten inches
across. He was thought by the foolish multitude to be very
clever because he twice made his escape from Newgate, but, in
my humble opinion, he would have shown his cleverness better
in not getting in, than he did in getting outside. But let that
pass ! He was eventually captured by the zeal of a celebrated
detective of the name of Jonathan Wild and was hanged amid
a crowd of sympathetic spectators.
"When wound up you will see him engaged in a skilful
attempt to escape from his imprisonment.
MOVEMENT :— He takes his chain in his mouth and it breaks
on his pretending to undo it with his teeth.
THE NOBLEMAN'S DAUGHTER WHO ROBBED
THE MISSIONARY BOX.
This is a representation of the nobleman's daughter who
was brought up in the lap of luxury and provided with every
comfort that heart could desire, including all the advantages of
education, and fourpence a month pocket money, but through
her sinful passion for expensive coloured ribbons she robbed
her aunt's missionary box. She was discovered in the act of
picking it open with a hair-pin by her aunt' ; gardener, who,
having previously been in the police, thought it his duty, as a
man and a brother, to inform the authorities ; the result was
that the local magistrate, who, it was said, had a spite against
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 25
the nobleman, insisted upon sentencing her to twelve years'
penal servitude, in spite of the efforts and influence of the
whole house of peers. This sentence, however, was sub-
sequently computed by the Lord High Chanticleer to two
years' hard labour on account of its being her first offence and
also on its being incidentually discovered that the half-crown
was a bad one.
When wound up you will see her force the lock with the
hair-pin and abstract the half-crown.
MOVEMENT : — She flourishes a hair-pin, brings it to the box,
opens it, and brings out with it a disc of potato or some soft
substance to resemble a coin, holding it up for the inspection
of the audience.
THE DEPRAVED GIRL WHO SKIPPED UPON
THE PUBLIC PAVEMENT.
Who that has trodded the hard and slippery paths of this
weary vale of life has not at some time been subject
to the annoyance of obnoxious and obstructious games such
as tip-cat, marbles, and skipping ropes ? To such young
people as are so lost to good feeling as to practice these
pernicious habits, I would point out this next figure as a
terrifying example and warning. This young lady, in spite
of the repeated warnings of her parents and the police, persisted
in her favourite and savage practice of skipping upon the
public thoroughfares. Upon one occasion she upset a
perambulator with three children in it, two of them being
infants of tender years. They were all of them dashed out
with great violence upon their precious noses. The result was
that the eldest, who was but a simple child of six, had a turn-up
nose to his dying day, and being a robust boy he kicked one of
his little brothers very violently in the pit of his chest, very
nearly extinguishing his young life. But the saddest part of
it was that the youngest infant, who appeared to have escaped
uninjured, expired exactly three months afterwards to a day,
of the whooping cough, which it was said by the nurse was
clearly caught from the fright he experienced. The heartless
girl was very properly brought before the magistrate, who
was the same gentleman who so properly punished the noble-
man's daughter for robbing the missionary box. He accordingly
26 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
sentenced this young lady to penal servitude for life, and
although she afterwards repented of what she had done, I
am told that upon being let out on a ticket-of-leave, in her
sixtieth year, she married a chimney sweep. Such is the fate
of those who despise the warnings of their godfathers and god-
mothers, and bring down the grey hairs of passengers with
sorrow to the pavement.
MOVEMENT : — She skips to musical accompaniment.
THE JAPANESE CONJUROR WHO KILLED
HIMSELF WITH THE SWORD TRICK.
This is the celebrated Japanese conjuror Slight-rixini. He
gave upon one occasion a grand performance before the
Emperor of Japan at his majesty's imperial court, but he made
a large number of valuables disappear in such a remarkable
way that he was never asked to repeat the performance.
Many interesting tales are told of his dexterity. Upon one
occasion he was found by two of the native police under some-
what superstitious circumstances, with the contents of two
plate-baskets congealed in his left sleeve. He was, however,
quite equal to the occasion, for he at once produced two magic
coins of considerable value which immediately caused the two
policemen to vanish away round the nearest corner, and what
was most remarkable of all, the two coins disappeared from
sight with them, and in a truly wonderful way. His greatest
achievement was the sword trick, which he performed with a
dexterity which was appalling to behold. Upon one occasion,
however, he performed this daring experiment once too often,
for his hand slipped and the sword went straight through him
before he could remember the Japanese for Jack Robinson.
Thus he came to an end in a horrible though glorious manner,
and his last words were that he should feel amply compensated
for the trouble he had taken if his effigy should be included in
my celebrated waxworks as a warning to all boys and girls
never, upon any account, to play with knives, swords,
revolvers, or other deadly edge tools and fireworks.
When wound up you will see him as he appeared before
expiring.
MOVEMENT : — He turns slowly round, and when his back ia
to the audience shakes his head solemnly for a few seconds.
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 2?
THE GIPSY WHO KIDNAPPED A PREPARATORY
SCHOOL.
Here, ladies arid gentlemen, you behold the celebrated
Gipsy Jane, who was one of the wickedest of her race. She
was in the habit of kidnapping the young children of wealthy
parients, and treating them in a most vindictive manner until
they were ransomed by their agonised relations. It would
sometimes happen that the parents would not ransom their
offspring at any price, and these unfortunate young people,
after she had cut off all their hair and sold it, she used to
barbariously destroy by means of frightening them to death
at night with a white sheet and a phosphorescient shrieking
skull which she had specially invented for the purpose. Upon
one occasion she had managed to kidnap thirteen young lady
boarders at a preparatory school at Brighton, and as the
schoolmistress and the parients unanimously refused to ransom
them until after the Christmas holidays, she cut off all their
luxuriant tresses, selling them to a hair merchant for a large
sum. Tempted by the desire of gain and in order to cause a
fresh crop of hair to grow she fed her miserable victims entirely
on hair oil, which had such a wonderful effect that she made a
large fortune, for she refused to give them up for several years,
managing to delude the strong arm of the law in a very
cunning way. Finally their hair grew so long that one night
they made their escape by letting each other down by it from
the top window of the gipsy's castle. The gipsy was after-
wards brought to justice, but was acquitted by the jury
principally on account of her youth and innocence and her
promising never to do it again.
When wound up you will see the savage way in which she
cut off the hair of her young victims,
MOVEMENT : — She chops violently with a large pair of shears
at a tress of hair.
LITTLE MISS MUFFET.
Fortunately it requires no strong language on my part to
commend this figure to your favourable attention. This rustic
young lady is little Miss Muffet. She was partaking of a
nourishing meal of curds and whey when a higeous spider,
attracted by a fly which was drowning itself in her basin,
58 MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
suddenly descended, causing her those spasms of alarm which
the sight of a spider always creates in all right-minded female
bosoms.
When wound up you will see the spider descend upon this
unprotected innocent, who will do her best to defend herself
with her spoon. Peter, wind her up and oil the spider.
MOVEMENT: — She brings her spoon backwards and for-
wards from the basin to her mouth, and on the spider being
let down strikes at it with the spoon.
PYGMALION AND GALATEA.
This is one of the very wonderfullest works of art ever
exhibited in connection with any waxwork show. This figure
represents Pygrnason, who was a sculpture in the Isle of
Cyprus. This elegant statute, which represented a lady named
Galatears, was his work, and it was rejected from the Royal
Academy according to their custom on account of its extreme
merit. This fact preyed accordingly upon the mind of the
high-spirited Pygmason, and he wept over her so much that
she was known as the Gal o' tears. Like most artists he was
-of a very supsettable dispogition and was also inclined to think
.a great deal more of his works than other people did. Being
quite unable to sell her, a person named Yenus, who is an
.artist's model, took pity on liim, and one day, by means of
magic arts, when he was putting a few finishing touches to
the figure, brought her suddenly to life, the result being that
he married her and had a fairly good time of it ever after-
wards.
When wound up you will see the wonderful transpogition
effected by the lady of the name of Yenus.
MOVEMENT : — She descends gracefully and raises her hands
in astonishment at Pygmalion, who rises from his kneeling
posture and turns slowly as she walks round him and re-ascends
the pedestal, when he again kneels. Before Galatea descends
Pygmalion strikes chips from her dress. She descends to soft
music.
MARY THE MILKMAID.
This represents the celebrated milkmaid who resided upon
the sands of Dee. You have doubtless heard her adven-
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 29
tures, celebrated in song at amateur concerts. She had a
rather large number of cattle to attend to. These dangerous
and obnoxious animals used to wander about for miles around,
and it was one of her most important duties to call the cattle
home at night, so that, as you may guess, her calling must
have been a very laborious and ardurious one indeed. For my
own part I cannot abear cows, and how any respectable young
woman could ever choose to be a milkmaid I never could
properly reprehend. In her case, as might be supposed, she
came to a bad end, for one evening she did not return home,
and the result was, not to put too fine a point upon it, there
was a coroner's inquest upon her unfortunate remains. The
jury returned a verdict of " Found Drowned," but if you want
to know my opinion though, I shall always believe that she
was tossed to death by those infuriated and bloodthirsty
beasts of prey, for she was in the habit of calling them home
by waving the red handkerchief which you will see in her
right hand, which, it is well known, is apt to have an irritating
and exasperating effect on those unreasonable brutes.
When wound up you will see her in the act of calling
them home in the simple but dangerous way to which I have
referred.
MOVEMENT : — She waves a red handkerchief quickly to
music. A good effect is obtained by continuing the waving
after the music, when the figure is stopped by the assistants
with the explanation that it is over-wound.
DICK WH1TTINGTOK
Here you see the pleasing personificature of Dick
Whittington and his celebrated and sagacious cat. It is not
necessary that I should recapostulate his interesting history at
any protracted extent, for his auto-geography will be familiar
to you all. As you are aware he was a charity school boy in
the City of London, and having been severely flogged for
playing truant he made up his precocious mind to run away
and seek his fortune by hunting the savage beasts in foreign
deserts, for which purpose he took his mother's cat with him,
having lured the faithful brute away by means of a skewer
of cats' meat. "When he got as far as Highgate he became
frightened, whereupon he declared that he could hear the bells
SO MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS.
saying as plain as possible, " Turn again "Whittington, thrice
Lord Mayor of London." So he went back and was received
into the bosom of his family, who, upon hearing of the wonder-
ful bell-ringing performance, determined to edjicate and bring
liiui up as a Lord Mayor. Thanks to this generous conduct
on the part of his relations he achieved to that dignified office
of Lord Mayor, and such was the ignorance of those days that
they elected him three times in spite of his being one of the
worst scamps that ever spent the Corporation money. His
sagacious cat rod** in triumph upon the box-seat in each of the
Lord AJ ayor's processions.
When wound up you will see him as he appeared when
listening to the bells.
MOVEMENT : — He raises his hand to his ear whilst music
of bells is played. This figure should be lifted backwards and
forwards in a kneeling position.
SHYLOCK.
This abandoned individual is the disreputable Shylock,
otherwise known as the Merchant of Venison. You have
doubtless read of his variegated iniquities in Shakespeare's
amusing and popular poems. As you will perceive he was of
the Jewish persuasion and was in the money-lending business.
On one occasion this insurious old villin lent a large sum to a
highly religious person named Antonio, upon the cannibal-
istical condition that if the cash was not down on the nail,
the Jew was to have a pound of the gentleman's flesh to keep
himself from starving. The real object of this wicked Je\f
was to have the life of that Christian gentleman, who, it seems,
was in the habit of spitting on him in the street and calling
him scurrilious epitaphs, which must have certainly been
somewhat irritating, h*»t was doubtless only one of the
eccentricities of his genus. Mr. Antonio's ships were all late,
which I have noticed is i-egularly the case with ships in the
present day. As the cash was not paid the bloodthirsty Jew
claimed his pound of flesh, and he was about to chop it off and
devour it in the open court when he was suddenly circum-
wented in a highly singular manner. As most of the bothera-
tions of this vexatchious world are, T regret to say, caused by
ovely wommin, so vicy-versy, per contrary, and on the other
MRS. JARLEY'S WAXWORKS. 31
hand there is nothing like a wommin to get you out of a
scrape It was ever thus, arid so it turned out in this case.
A lady named Porter dressed herself up as a bigwig, went
down to the court, and in a few minutes had turned everything
upside down and made all the other big-wigs, and the Judge,
and the Jew look uncommonly foolish. Miss Porter pointed
out that it was only a pound of flesh that the Jew could have,
and that if he took any blood ha would be committing perjury.
"Whereupon he was compelled to give up all his property and
was sentenced to death, which would have been carried out
but for the jury kindly recommending him to mercy on account
of his youth and innocence.
When wound up you will see the bloodthirsty villin
sharpening his knife in preparation for the ojious deed.
MOVEMENT :— He sharpens his knife angrily on an old
slipper.
CONCLUDING SPEECH BY MRS. JARLEY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, — Before you disperse to your
home sweet homes, allow me to thank you for your kind
attention, and to remark that any trifles you can spare from
your well-filled coffers for Peter and John will be thankfully
received, as they are saving up with a view of taking a business
in this neighbourhood, which would be a great acquisition to
the locality I would also beg to add that if anyone would
like to purchase any of these figures, they are for sale at
moderate prices, the only condition being that they must be
taken at the owner's risk and with all errors of description,
I again beg to thank you for your patronage, and, in conclusion,
I take the liberty of bidding you a welcome adoo.
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