The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-25
1850 SSSSSSSsssSsS
FIRST CHRISTMAS OF A QUEEN {
xahelmina Starts in This Christmas Day on . Bro.d
Career OF Queenly WiIfuness and Generosity
q

Il. t,dlngs come from Holland OF the
sa,,,ness and generosity OF the young
Ia to-day celebrates her first Christ
oueen. The world secs only twice
.mrv the spectacle OF young queen
.,,one in her own right. and ii watches
.s,,o,v and interest 10 see how the
-,versign will govern herself.
IA time OF her actual succession to
'...s Wilhelmina was SO walled In by
Il ,ontrol that her own traits could not
AN half show themselves. but as soon
,Ips we're handed TO her. she made
r,es, TO which even her mother is
= Holland Is in its government, and
"a conservative as Its rulers must be
NJ monarchy. and its queen has great
r,eks ago. very soon after she got the
a,rterly payment of the large income
ne Holanders pay their queen. vii.
4, wrote letter to u brie-a-bric dealer
,-.s,rdam inviting him to call at the PAL
~ samples Of his wares. and intimatod
De wished to purchase extensively for
~ dts to her friends.
A, the dealer arrived with his chests of
3 ,,r majesty looked them over aud pro-
"A them entirely too foreign"
4, dealer had, in his anxiety to please her.
uoon the resources of India. Japan,
md France for all sorts of rare i'm
II wares.
nd draperics from the Orient, lacauers
china, and marvellous French glass,
a Nd spread out before her. But Will
saa wanted none of them. she wanted
A ware or none at all.
ksiinr over the boxes oil goods spread out
N ber. she gave a disdaiufui wave OF ner
md said, II like delft; give me biue
\. he things made In Holland. | will call
Esr shop tomorrow.
ssded. yet willing to please her majesty,
Aaler hurried away with his goods, ana
allowing morning he had spread out in
dow room q magnificent supply of every
4 made In Holland. There were Dutch
"a Of the heaviest cloths. made upon
Eaeous Dutch looms--warranted to wear
m as ideal draperies. There were hand
4. chairs OF elaborate designs and OF delft
4 plentiful collection as never was seen
hx
NAelmina looked over them all with in
\, selecting many small articles. such as
[fnsrks paper knives, ink bottles and the
~ trihes which please girl, Then she
.rA 10 the heavier stutfs, of which she
whased many pieces for her grown up
sis good Dutch matrons who like sub
kdal articles. as Wiihelmina knows.
ID then turned to the paintings of Dutch
tcss Of which there were many shelves, and
'fBg out a quantity of small pictures such
y likes, waterfalls aud dams and mills. she
kssi them sent TO her. Then she went out
4 ta carriage and taking the reins In her
hands. went for a long drive. she had
faifged her duty in the matter OF Christ
Nshopplng.
syoung queen of Holland will bestow her
b upon her cousins of Nassau and Orange
Waldeck, of whom she has very large
mir, and upon all those mysterious German
Etss who are linked to her by marriage.
Ehs forgotten none of them; and for three
u. she has kept her secretary, Nj. Wander
kAi, 81 work making out the list. She
eRs each by name and has omitted no one.
p past week has been spent In doing up the
RIGGS and sending them. for Wilhelmina
= addressed with her own hands each one.
10 nrst Christmas of the young queen of
1rd will be spent In an entirely domestic
v lor- she has certain obligations to per-
= IN the morning her ministers who form
eaplneI as they are called in Holland, |
states genera. will visit her and wish |
4 merry Christmas. She must go to the |
Y church where she was crowned few |
Nns ago. and after church will come the |
rns Of gifts. For up to this time tue
" queen has been Obliged to restrain her
slamas curiosity as best she could.
'ae Nerncon is spent receiving kilograms
aleiatulation. for 1t is royal etiquette to
tns, christmas message to each OF the |
And heads OF Europe. Wilhelmina's mes
y were all prepared before Christmas. |
sae must receive those sent her at the
Y set Tor her by her secretary. and must |
Iosledge them on Christmas afternoon.
sn comes the great Dutch Christmas din
which Is such Il wonderful feast there. |
year Wilhelmina will entertain very |
y amily party, for all the ladies and all |
IGiuemen Of the court of Holland must |
lfesent at the Christmas dinner. and In the
hail beyond Will sit the heads of tn
.tnom; The stenographers. the house
sslS me telegraph operators. the caterers
searicians and heads OF repairs ana other
s' fnnctionaries who keen the palace
Y aatie viii dine here. waited upon by the
y ana lower servants.
Af me queen has finished her repast sh
a w TO repair first to this hall. whore
VII urink a toast and then to the serv- !