This is a transcription of the hand-written playlet sketch by Angelique Schott, who had been the former assistant to Alfred Silvester, the Fakir of Oolu during his 1872 tour of the United States (see Chapter One) . The original manuscript is held at the Harvard College Library, under number 990069523630203941, TS 4598.152F, from the bequest of Evert Jansen Wendell 1918. The booklet has a printed cover with the above text, and the frontispiece with description of the prop is also printed; the remainder is hand-written on [thirteen*] pages, and was probably entered at the Library of Congress for the purpose of copyrighting the “sketch” and as a result, the whole theatrical routine.

Alfred Silvester’s original illusion and stage routine was called “The Enchanted Canopy” and is clearly the same style of prop used by Schott in later years.

Newspaper reviews of the Canopy routine suggest that the storyline seen here was not the one used by Silvester. Silvester employed the dramatist Garnet Walch, in 1876, to write a ‘dramietta’ titled “The Haunted Chamber, or a Night in Queer Company.” The text appears to be unavailable, but the plot was reported: “It is a record of the adventures of Mr Thomas Slackbake, a journeyman baker, who gets on the spree, and passing a night at a village inn where a party of itinerant actors are sojourning, he is made the victim of a series of spectral illusions. The illusions are excellent, and the dialogues between the ghost of Hamlet's father, Ophelia, Julius Caesar, etc., and the half-awake and wholly-astounded baker (Mr. A. Silvester, jun.) are ludicrous in the extreme. “

The son of the Fakir, whose name was Alfred Silvester Silvester, later performed in Australia an illusionary routine likewise called “Le Salon Du Diable”.
Schott also wrote, copyrighted, and performed various other theatrical sketches. See:

* In the scanned copy provided by the library, one page of text (the second-last page of text) has been missed from the scan. However, the back of that page is included in the scan, and the “show-through” writing is visible enough to permit of image-enhancement and transcription.

The effects or ILLUSION in the above sketch in one Act, consists of a four legged platform (or table) with a TRAP in the centre surmounted with four poles with curtains attached, made to draw by strings. Beneath the platform are two LOOKING-GLASSES standing at an angle of 45 degrees, which reflect curtains surrounding the stage. The entire APPARATUS stands over a TRAP in centre of stage on a carpet. In the centre of the Apparatus stands a person dressed as a STATUE, and making entire CHANGES of Costume, assuming different characters, and APPEARING and DISAPPEARING in each character through the trap in centre of platform. Another person disappears (or goes through) THE TRAP,  APPEARING in the midst of the AUDIENCE or back of auditorium at the same time as the former person appears in his place in the Apparatus.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1878

By ANGIE SCHOTT

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D.C.
COPYRIGHTED

“Le Salon du Diable”
or “The Devil’s Statue”

Statue / Mephistopheles / Ophelia / Gretchen – Miss Angie Schott

Master ----

Jim ----

1^st Demon ----

Demons & Sprites

Master: Well, I must take another look at my statue! (approaches Boudoir get in it and examines it) – Yes! There it is! Just as I left it!
I place it in there; for I am sure of its being secure. I know Jim has a horror of this room, and he is not likely to tamper with anything I place in the Boudoir.  – The last statue I had, he smashed it all to atoms, for he is so careless! Well, now to give my instructions to him before I go ! – (calls) – Jim! Jim!-

I have an article to write tonight for the morning’s papers, and I want you to remain in this room. I  have just received a statue from Italy! – a perfect gem of art! – And as there are so many robberies going on lately;  I want you to sleep in this room and take good care that no one tampers with it! – I have placed a lamp underneath, so that you can see all around it, without going too near! – So now, be very careful and attend to my instructions! Mind.

Jim:         Well, here’s a pretty go! This is the first time master has ever left me alone in his laboratory! I calls it the “Devil’s Den.” – for Master sits up all night “studying” he calls it – I calls it “interfering with the Devil’s legitimate profession” But I can’t make out what master’s been up to lately. – I’ve heard all sorts of strange noises in here; and now he has brought home a statue and locked it up in that ‘ere “Devil’s Boudoir” – and he goes around the house looking so mysterious, that I think he must be wrong up here! (indicates forehead)

Now I’ve been dying to look in that arrangement and now’s my time to inspect that statue! (turns and sees Boudoir empty)

Well, this is a rum go! – I’m blessed if I don’t think Master has had a drop too much! – There isn’t any statue there! – I’ll call him back and tell him his mistake! (calls) Master! Master!

Did you say there was a statue in there? (points over shoulder to Boudoir)

Master:                Yes! Certainly!

Jim:        Ha! Ha! Ha! (aside) He’s got ‘em bad! (aloud) Look for yourself!-

Master:                Well, what do you mean by calling me back! – There it is! – (points to statue)

Jim:        (turns and sees statue) Well! – I’m blessed if that don’t beat me! – Jim old boy! You’ve got ‘em yourself this time!

Master:                Now Sir, don’t call me back on any such fool’s errand again! And be careful you don’t meddle with the statue!

Jim:        This is a little too high for me! I’m just going to reconnoitre around here for myself this time.

Master can’t come any of his shenanigan over me! So here goes!

Mephis:                Beware! Beware! Beware!

Jim:        Oh Lor! I wonder what that is! Beware? – I wouldn’t be where you are for something! – Oh, I’m beginning to feel awfully nervous!-  (turns around and see Mephisto at his elbow – falls down on his knees). Oh my eyes! – It’s the Imp of Darkness himself! – What a smell of Brimstone! But I mustn’t appear to be frightened though! (Bows) Ah, how do you do! – rather – warm today –

Mephis:               Oh yes! But then I’m accustomed to that where I come from.

Jim:        Oh indeed! – and may I ask where you come from? –

Mephis:               Hibernia!

Jim:        Well, I don’t want to burn there. He must be an Irish devil! (aside) I wonder if he brought any Jersey Lightning or Fire Water with him? A little would not go amiss just now!

Mephis:               What is that you’re saying about a miss? – I always hit the mark!- for I’m known to be a good shot! – But I thought I would pay a visit to the upper world tonight! – I’m tired of keeping low society!

Jim:        Very complimentary! Quite a pleasant little devil!

Mephis:               Oh, don’t take it to yourself! – I’m not paying compliments just now. – I came here to tell you that I allow no-one to interfere with my statue! As long as it is here – you are in my power! And unseen by you, you are surrounded by my slaves and minions; who obey my slightest command! – What do you doubt it? Then judge for yourself! – Slaves of my power, appear!

1^st Demon:          All hail! Great master! I come to do thy bidding be it to fly, to swim, to dive into the fire, or ride the curl’d clouds! To thy strong bidding task me, and I will be correspondent to thy command!

Mephis:               Enough! Begone!

Now then, do you still doubt?

Jim:        Oh no! Good Mister Devil! I believe everything you say! I don’t want to see any more of your domestics.

Mephis:               ‘Tis well! For I will not be trifled with! – But I must away now I have other fish to fry! There is plenty of business for me to attend to! And I tell you that when mortals least expect it, I am at their elbow. So now farewell! Remember! And Beware! –

Jim:        Oh lor! Oh lor! To think that I should have a visit from my future landlord. It’s a devilish good joke! (knocks up against scene).

Oh! Oh! Lor. The Devil’s got me! Oh! Master! Master! The Devil’s got me!

Master:                Holloa! Jim! What’s the matter? Say! Have you seen a ghost?

Jim:        A ghost?- Oh no! It was the devil!

Master:                Pshaw! Nonsense! That is absurd!

Jim:        Oh yes it was! Horns, tail and all! And he disappeared in a blaze of blue fire right in there!

Look, look! – (points over his shoulder)

Master:                Is that the devil you mean? There is no blue fire there! Jim, you must have been dreaming!

Jim:        Dreaming?- Well all I can say is – I don’t want any more such dreams! – I wasn’t frightened though!- Only a little agitated. I wish he would come back again, I’d show him (spars off)

Master:                Now Jim no more nonsense! Don’t be a fool again! Keep awake, no more dreams; you had the nightmare!- If you can’t keep awake, why, dance around!- for if I catch you dreaming again and disturbing me while I’m writing I’ll give you something to dream about! So now take care and don’t injure the statue!

Jim:        Oh dear! I don’t want to stay here any longer! But it’s all quiet now in the Boudoir!- I wonder where the Devil went to ?- Why he went to the devil, of course! – I’ll just take another look at the statue and see if it’s all right.

Ophelia:              Why have you called? Why here me bring?-  (Comes out of Boudoir)

Jim:       I beg pardon, I did  no such thing! Who you are I haven’t the slightest idea.

Ophelia:              Well upon that point I’m not myself quite clear!
 I’m one of Shakespeare’s children but my lines are suited to the spirit of the times.
The original Ophelia was voted slow
To[o] tame, to[o] quiet, not enough of go!
Her sober lunacy was touching, sad
Now I’m much more mischievously mad.
And as you’ll find, I’m quite another sort of thing.

Starts, points to gallery, drags him across stage melodramatically.

Looketh that not very like a cow?
Yet me thinks it resembles a puppy
Or yet very like a whale?-   (strikes Jim, he falls)

Jim:        That’s good! I wonder what she’s going to do next?-

Ophelia:               (singing) “I’m a very good girl if I have my way
If not there’s a Hurly Burley
To Best me your [sic.] better up soon in the day
Or rather the morning early!
Here’s rue for you – offend me and you’ll rue it! (hands him a flower)
They say; the Owl’s a well-bred sort of bird,
because he’s the Baker’s daughter, so I’ve heard!

Starts & points to floor. Lays veil down, sobbing.

My  love he had a turn up nose
He was tall and square and burley
I mourn his decease he belonged to the police
He had straight hair and teeth so curley.

Give me my father!

Jim:       I haven’t got him! Feel in all my pockets!

Ophelia:              I’m mad! As a march hare, ma chére
And as I see you have much hair
This lock from its socket I will tare!  (offers Jim hair which she pulls from his head)
Here’s rosemary for you! That’s for remembrance, pray you love remember!-

Jim:        I shall never forget you! But miss, you don’t seem to know who I am?-

Ophelia:               (tragically) Excellent well! You’re a fishmonger! – My name’s Ophelia!

Jim:        Ophelia? – O feel here! (feels head) But on my good nature you encroach!

Ophelia:               Good nature? – Good night to yer! – What Ho! My coach! My coach! My coach!

Jim:        Here! Hey! Miss! You’ve dropped your back hair! (picks up switch) She’s switched off on another track! – This is getting worse and worse; she just snatched me bald headed! – I never parted with a lock of my hair so reluctantly in all my life! – But I’m not going to stay here and be called a fishmonger! That’s adding insult to injury! Master has just got to pay me my wages and let me go; he can take care of his precious statue himself! I won’t stand any more nonsense! Say, Master! Master! (calls) Master!

Master:                Now what in thunder do you want! Can’t you keep quiet and attend to your business without making of such an infernal noise?-

Jim:        Do you see that elephant up there –

Master:                Bless me no!

Jim:        Well then it is a cow; no it’s a whale!

Master:                Jim you rascal; I whale you!

Jim:        Give me my grandmother!

Master:                How in thunder should I have your grandmother!

Jim:        I’m crazy! (snatches hair from his head)
You’re an old fishmonger! (sings)
“I’m a very good boy if I have my way!-
Here’s a rose for you! (gives him hair)
Here take it all! I don’t want it! I’ve had enough! You pay me my wages and let me go! You can take care of your devils and your crazy women yourself! I’ve been abused enough! I’m not going to have any woman bossing it over me and calling me a fishmonger!

Master:                Nonsense Jim! There is no woman in the house! – You must have been drinking; and if you have you know what you may expect! For I would not keep a drunkard in my house! It is all Bosh! There is nothing there but the statue. I believe you have a touch of the delirium tremens! I shall keep  my eye on you! So try and be steady until I finish this article and now attend to my orders!

Jim:       Dreaming indeed! Not much! I shall be bald headed for the rest of my natural life.  I wonder what my Sarah Ann would have said, if she had have seen that woman tugging me around by the hair of my head?- I’ll take another look at that statue and make sure it’s all right!

Gretchen:           Fritz!  Ach Fritz! Aber Fritchen!

Jim:        Halloa! Who’s this!

Gret:      Sage ein mal du, kanst due mir sagen wo mein Fritz ist?

Jim:        Fits?- I don’t have any fits!

Gret:      Ach nein, nein!

Jim:        Nine! I don’t have one!

Gret:      Ach nein! Mein Fritz, mein Schatz!

Jim:        Shirts!- Now look here young woman, I don’t know anything about your shirts!- I’m a poor lone orphan far away from home.

Gret:      Ja, ja! Das was ich! Far von mein home! I com here mit mein shvetheart Fritz! You know mein schvetheart! (pokes him in side)  Ich dacht er war da!

Jim:        A doctor?- Now look here, if you don’t feel very well I would advise you to go somewhere else for a doctor – for you won’t find one here!

Gret:      Nun was will den der?- Ach du kanst mich nicht verstehn, eh?

Jim:        Nit verstehn!- Oh now I know! She’s Dutch!- I’ll go her a little on that myself!- (gesticulates fiercely talking German at Gretchen).

Gret:      Himmel donnerwetter noch ein mal! Wenn du mir noch so etwas gibst werd ich dir was uber dein haslichen schafskopfgeben! Du lumpen kerl du!- (cries.)

Jim:        Hallo! She’ crying! My dutch was too much for her! Say Dutchy don’t cry! What’s the matter! Why those pearly tears I see?-

Gret:      Ach me cry! Me lose mein schwetheart. I com von Germany, where I keep a Lager beer salon.

Jim:        A Beer Saloon?- (aside) I must get the right side of her. (aloud) Let’s go and get “zwei Bier”!-

Gret:      Oh no! I don’t trust you! I keeps no schlates in mein house.

Jim:        She knows me!

Gret:      [Komm] einmal her ich will dir etwas sagen!- You know I lose mein schwetheart!- He was a nice mens. He was vat you call von of dose “shoulders”!

Jim:        Soldiers!

Gret:      Ja, ja, I [unclear ….] … away.

Jim:        Can you sing it?

Gret:      Well, I try a little [unclear]

Jim:       Hallo! Duchy gone! That was the most interesting conversation I ever had! But I couldn’t make out a word she was saying! I wonder what she wanted with shirts and fits and Doctors. But after all those people [coming] into that Boudoir they might have damaged the “[Gem] of Art”! I’ll take a look at it.

Oh, it’s gone. It’s gone and I’m a ruined man! Oh, the statue’s gone! Master! Master! It’s gone!

Master:                What in thunder is the matter now?

Jim:        It’s gone! It’s gone!

Master:                What’s gone?

Jim:        The Gem of Art! The Statue! It flew away in a blaze of red fire, it was the devil!

Master:                Now look here Jim, you [can’t come any] nonsense like that over me! [You’ve] stolen that statue! Confess now where you have put it!

Jim:        I haven’t Master! You can [feel in all my pockets], I haven’t got it!

Master:                Well if you [stole] it confess! I’ll make you! (produces pistol)

Jim:        Oh you wouldn’t shoot me, master!

Master:                I’ll show you! Get up in there!

Jim:        Oh master! That’s where the devil went to ! Oh don’t send me to the devil!

Master:                Get in there I tell you!

Jim:        Let me prepare myself first! (Kneels & prays). Give my toothbrush to my mother-in-law! Good bye master!  (Gets in Boudoir)

Master:                Now Jim! When I shoot you bob your head!

Jim:        (inside) You can bet I’ll bob my head before you fire!

Master:                Now don’t stir! (aside) Now I have here a pistol, and I mean to scare Jim so that he will get over the bad habit of prying around keyholes at night interrupting me in my studies. He is an awful coward so it will give him a good scare and teach him a lesson he won’t easily forget! Now Jim! Are you ready! Keep still for I’m going to shoot you!
(When signal is given, fire)

Mephis:               Demons seize them!