The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-04
GERMAN EMpERon's PALACE.
II In o German Home at ChristInrs.
wan Trees ana Toys. ,i1

wan hEcSb uuu Aoy - Il
Exchange.
Christmas In the imperial palace! Every
day the glahces Of passcrs-by turn toward
the monumental building, and the busy
imagination evokes before the minds eye
images OF the surprising magnificence OF
the interior. Oriental tales with their
phantasmagoria. the genii and gems. rise
before the memory and transmit marvel
Gus visions OF cold magnificcnce within the
Imperial palace, which can not fail to stifle
every fresh impulse aud must even freeze
the very soul. but no Arabian palace.
with Its treasures and mysteries, stands
before us. II Is a true German household.
a home OF German CUSTOMS and Gormau
feeling; the moparch's, II lie true, but at
the same time the home OF happy parents
and blithe young childrvi.
And the celebration of the most bcauti-
full of German festivities is as German as
the home. The Christmas tree stands In
hall glitterng with golden splendor. but 1t
is love which lights the candles, which dur
ing long period OF preparation has care
fully selected the gifts and which distrib-
| utcs them beneath the shining tree With
eyes sparkling with JOY and happy hearts.
| ! here is no lack Of presents OF great and
| lasting value. hut the FIRST and principal
ornaments on Christmas tables. even IN the
| imperial palace. are the hundreds of things
which deligh, the hearts OF Innocent chit
dren. Gay. happy. genuiao. childish laugh
| ter rings out around the Imperial parents,
| rarturous expressions OF Joy over the gut
| tering arInor and swords. trumpets and
| drums. bestowed by the Christ child upon
| the princes. and the dolls aud trinkets Tor
the charming little prircess. The Weapons
of the princes viii flash in eager battles
just as they do I'm the homes OF private cit
/ A. ,,..lN laH N ~
Qualifications they have erected themselves
| IN the palace garden. Here. too. as IN other
| German houses little girl Will hug and
iondlc her dolls with ardent love.
ThourhtfW parents try for weeks before
tho festival TO discover the wishes of their
loved ones, and ascertain what will proba-
hly afford them the grcatest pleasure, This
aifcciionatc soicitudc Is felt ny tho kn"
| mistress Of the royal palace as 1t Is every
| where else, and the imperial souple them
| selves select what Is TO adorn the tree ana
| rejoice the hearts OF tho children The
| Princes thoughts are no less occupied ny
ihe desire TO give their parents Christmas
surprlse. But. though the imperial purse
is Of course. unlimited the princes arc
expected TO save their pocket money and
suit their gifts tn the means they have
Laincd by wise economy.
The Christmas gifts are chosen by the
princes in all secrecy. and though many a
| valuable article when AilTttNN lu'li
tention md nrouseP the desire to purchase
must he reIinuuishod on account of It's cost.
there are plonty NJ beautiful things within
thclr means we'll suited 10 CRAFTY their
tnther and mother. while tic youthful don
nrs enjoy the Christ mas pleasure of giving.
\ fragrant gift. when, simple AZ II IT,
M Chrlgtmas table ought 70 lack, also AZ
lord Measure in the home Of The trr'lln
anperor--spiccd rinlorbreai u Is an I'D
custom tha, the princes rrc hot the only
cnes remembered: every wear the colonies
comnanv of the First Regiment OF the
Guards Ia permitted to present the spicy
fragrant cakc To the emperor as u simple
Testimonial of affeotation This was The CUE
ION during the life OF the never to he
forgotten first emperor and u Is also O
cnse with William II. on the morning q
December "a the acting commander of th'
colopers company Of The First Regimen
of foot guards has the honor of present
ing the cakes to the emperor as command