The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-25

TO each OF the crowned heads OF Europe
Wilhelmina's messages were all prepared
| before Christmas but she must receive
| those sent her at tho hour set for hei
] by her secretary and must acknowledge
J them on Christmas afternoon.
| Then comes the great Dutch Christ
| mas dinner which IL such wonderful
! feast here This year Wilhemina Will
! entertain a very large family party, for
| all the ladies' and all the gentlemen OF
| the court OF Holland mus present AZ
+, the Chrstmas dinner. and IN the great
bar beyond will sit the heads 1.-THE
household. The stenographors, the
aousekecpers. the telegraph operators,
the caterers. the electricians and heads
OF repairs and other important function
aries who keep the palace habitanle viii
dine here waited upon by the maids ana
lower servants
After tho queen has finished Ger re-
past she is expected 10 repair FIRST 10
this hall where she will drink a toast
and then 10 the servants hall where she
will drink toast with the maids ana
cooks buffers and boys who do her bill
ding in the castle. They have grand
Christmas dance in the evening Of
which the Queen IS tho centre. Which,
nina Us not fond of dancing. but she has
promised on this occasion to trip down
the great hall with her head cook ana
the whole palace IS on the qui vive for
the festive sight.
For two weeks all the evergreen gath
erers Of Holland have been sending their
choicest boughs 20 the young Queen ana
one side Of the palace up 10 the great
windows is stacked with the fcathery
treasure II she we're to have n Christ
mas tree farm she might plant a forest
in her palace grounds without drawing
heavily upon the heap.
IL is said that on Christmas day al the
feast itself. the formal announcement Of
Wilhelmina's engagement 10 the Prince
OF Wiel will be made. This engagement
has already been yariously announced In
different quarters. but TO have the sane
ton OF the States-general 1t must ne
told by Wilhelmina herself to them ana
to tho entire royal family.
The rumor was circulated in Europe
that Wilhelmina had refused 10 marry
the Prince Of WED unless he would ac-
knowledge his inferiority on the throne
She would not have him called the
Prince CoHsOrt; he must be the I'rifSe
Of Wied-Holland husband Of the Queen
But this IS very much 10 be doubtei as
Wnhelmina. though wilful, is very much
in love with him.
Holland IS 10 have one mad feast OF
rejoicing on Christmas day. for VIII
helmina has decided that all the poor
shall receive great dinner and this
means a very large feast, for under the
head Of the poor come al the peasants
and those who are not actually lana
owners Holland has no beggars. but
those who do not own land are called
poor. 49,,
Her Majes'y's private charity. which
Il a very prosperous orphan asylum M
the Hague will enjoy marvellous
Christmas and she will feast those Ola
women Of Amsterdam. about whom you
have heard 50 much. These are The aged
moor who knew her father. ana VINO
blessed Wihelmna because she was the
daughter Of the crotchety old KING
whom they loved in spite or ms
ON christmas day these toothess oh
croncs will get together and rehearse
tho tales Of Wilhelmina's childhood.
'Thov will tell how once, 10 save a ser
want from diemieea2 She R]Ded Tea
crn together which he had broken ana
ha1 the servant bring 10 90 her at inc
table filed with cold ten. When u
was eof. before her she Jet 81 drop on me
floor. "Oh. father" exclaimed she.
1T have broken your best tcacun You
said Won would dismiss from the palace
the one who broke that cup.
old King William was as wise rs no
was old and cross and he saw through
the device Of his baby daughter 20 save
the servant and loved her all the more
mas since Wfhelmina was broueht In
TO the table disguised rs a basket OF