The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-30
QUEEN vlcToRIA's GiF IS.
Makes Large Number ON Christmas,
but They Are Generally simple.

Simplicity does not always dwell in the
Household Words some time ago gave an
interesting picture of Queen Victoria IS
observance of Christmas. Since the death
of the Prince Consort the holiday has al
ways been spent at Osborne, in the Isle
OF Wight. There the Queen makes ar
iangements for her Christmas gifts and
greetings; and long list she has. for no
member of her large family Ia forgotten,
and all her friends and Ministers receive
greetings from her.
She invariably writes to the ex Empress
Eugene and ex- Queen Isabella of Spain.
The late Lord Bsaconsfeld often received
a present from her, and Lord Salisbury is
honored In the same way. Christmas
presents go to all her ladies and gentle
men "a waiting, and the more humble
servitors are not forgotten. Every royal
servant receives gift from the Queen at
Christmas. She sends cards to her form
en- III aids of honor, her favorite clergy
men, doctors, singers, and musicians.
The Queens taste in cards is not
governed by fashion. She does not care
for the priv ate cards bearing II printed
greeting, now SO fashionable, but prefers
to select suitable card for each recipi-
ant For her immediate relatives she
chooses simple card, on which, for a
specially favored one, she paints rose
lily, or some unpretentious DIES g l, wi b
a Christmas greeting in her own flowing
handwr iting.
Her actual gifts are on as simple scale
AS the cards. She dues not favor expen-
siye presents, but prefers to give and re-
cei e tokens slight in themselves, but ex-
pressive of the good wishes and affection
Of the donors.
Her majesty is very fond of knitting
straw plating, and crocheting with large
ivory hook and soft Shetland wool; and
the Quilts, mufiers, mittens, and hats
made by the royal hands are greatly
priced " the members of her family.
Flower epergnes, dainty bonbon dishes,
photograph frames, and beautifully
bound books figure largely in the Queens
list of pressn S.
Tra0esmen who by royal warrant are
s,purveyors to her majesty" forward to
the Queen large consignnents of articles
uitable for Christmas presents, and from
these she can select all she requires. 1t
often happens, however, that pretty adj
vertisament in one of the weekly journals
will bring command for selection of
che goods to be sent to the Queen, fol-
lowed by substantial order, even when
che firm is not warrant holder.
10 her younger nephews and grandson
| the @ leen, gives handsome tips and to
the girls dress lengths of fine stuffs, with
the direction that the dress is to be made
up as the recipient pleases, and the bill
forwarded to her majesty.
To favorite grandohild the Qneen will
sometimes send fine uncut jewel, with
he message that il is to be set as the RS
ceiver chooses. as sgrandmamma does
not know the latest fashion in jewelry,
out will be pleased to pay the bill for the
setting"
Whoever else is forgotten, the Queen al
ways remembers her old servants at
Christmas. Those who were in her SER
tice before the death of the Prince Con-
sort are specially favored. They are al
owed to choose for themselves some arti.
nle of silver plate, and on Christmas day
they receive their present accompanied
by large, black-bordered card bearing
| the touching inscription, with good
wishes from Her Majesty and Prince Con-
sort, ''-London Household Words.