Carefully study scenic effect. "How beautiful!" is so often the exclamation regarding a well-dressed stage, even before any person appears or one word is spoken. Remember to use harmonizing colors, and to throw on different-colored lights. The latter may cost a little money, but it will repay a hundredfold. A white light, changing to pink, again to yellow, rose, or green, as the scenery may require. In every way catch the eye. Remember, the tableau is but for a minute; let that minute be perfection. Sometimes, for example, let a fountain play in the large grounds or garden. This can be easily arranged by the proper management of a hose. You can surely place a piece of oil-cloth under the moss over which the water flows, and have sponges conveniently near. Be careful to select pretty and noticeable toilettes. If you are taking the character of a queen at a drawing-room, dress as the queen, not as her maid; but should you be a maid, wear jaunty, gay attire, and not costume yourself in a severely cut brown-cloth tailor suit. Use all the accessories possible--music, song, recitation, as either may be given off the stage, as an accompaniment to a tableau. Be sure there is no catch in the stage curtain, and that the prompter understands all his duties. Every one should be punctual at rehearsals; and the night of the entertainment all the cast should be ready thirty minutes ahead of time, as that will prevent worry and nervousness. And if everybody is calm, and understands his part, there is no question as to success. The Birds' Christmas Carol would make a very pretty tableau-vivant evening, and so would any one of the Christmas plays that have appeared in the ROUND TABLE. All that is needed on such occasions is care in arranging details, a little painstaking in making up costumes, so that the colors shall harmonize one with another, and patience and persistence on the part of the young actors. AN UP-TO-DATE SANTA CLAUS. BY H. G. PAINE. When Santa Claus came to town last year, His deer, 'Tis said, Struck a live wire and fell down dead. Poor Santa felt sad to lose them so, I know; But he Was not of the kind to give up, you see. So he rigged up his sleigh like a trolley-car, And far That night, _Viâ_ telegraph wires, he took his flight; To each little child in bed He sped, Nor missed A single one of all the list. But this year he's going to take in hand A brand- New way, And deliver his goods in a horseless sleigh. CHRISTMAS IN A GIRLS' SCHOOL A CENTURY AGO. BY E. IRENÆUS STEVENSON.