The Van Buren press., 1899-12-30
V|C1OR|A'S CHRISTMAS.
The Queen of Great Britain and
Empress of India Lays Aside
Her Regal State.
A HAPPY EVENT AT WINDSOR CASTLE.
The Families of the Royal Guards.
Absent in Africa, Entertained by
Her Majesty and the Royal Prin-
ccsses at Christmas Tree and
Tea Party.

New York, Dec. 28.-A dispatch to
the World from Windsor says:
Queen Nictorias Christmas tree
party for the wives and children of
guardsmen new in South Africa, at
Windsor castle, was Il scene of un-
constrained enjoyment. The guests
arrived in royal equipages at AIS p. m.
and were marshalled in the Waterloo
chamber by the mayor of Windsor.
There, during the As minutes of wait
ing for the queen to appear they
romped and played round games and
rolled on the rich soft carpets to their
hearts content
In the Royal Presence.
At five o'clock st. Georges hall was
thrown open. Women and children
pressed in to find the queen in her
wheel chair waiting for her guests be-
side ID towering Christmas tree, gilt
tering with electic lights and bristIing
with toys.
Princess Christian was on the
queens right and Princess Beatrice,
of honor were grouped around.
The queen was dressed in black with
a black lace shawl across her shoul-
ders, and with peaked widows cap,
and she wore gold-framed miniature
on her breast"
A Hush Fell On the ThronR.
She smiled somewhat sadly when Il
hush fell on the throng as they reached
her presence, and the little children
gazed cnriously at her. She had told
the court officials: We must have
plenty of light and brightness for the
little Ones
The gorgeous magnitieance of the
surroundings struck the children with
delight and awe. The queen became
radiantly smiling as each mother
brought forward her children.
An appropriate gift was taken from
the tree by the prineesses and the
maids of honor and pessed to the
queen, she handed it with charming
motherliness TO the little recipients.
Some of the Children Nervous.
Some of the children nervously
clung to their mothers skirts. The
queen bent forward encouragingly and
watched their bright eyes glisten as
she pressed some handsome present in
to their little hands. Others were
bold beyond the limits of courtship,
advanced confidently and scrutinized
the toys with critical eye,
The queen was gracious and affable
alike to all, and fully alive to the hui
NOR of the situation. One over-anXious
mother told her little five-year-old tod
dler:
"Bow, Jimmy, bow"
Confused Lad.
The boy, confused, turned back, and
made his obeisance in the opposite di-
rection, whereat the queen, with lace
handkerchief to her mouth, almost
laughed outright.
The mother pulled the little chap
around sharply. The queen gently in
terposed
Never mind, my little fellow" and
patted him on the head.
Another lad gave correct military
salute, but the succeeding one beat him
by gravely saluting with both hands.
The queen gave each an additional
toy
Not One Whit Abashed.
One cheerful old lady went right up
to her majesty, leaned her hand ia
miliarly on the queen, resting on the
side of her chair, and said:
"This is the greatest honor of our
lives, your majesty
The queen answered.:
II have not enjoyed a party more for
many years. 1t gladdens my heart to
give pleasure to the families of my
gallant soldiers"
A Regular Babel.
The children now were creating u
tremendous din, u perfect babel of
squeaky instrume humping drums,
JOYOUS laughter ~ childish chatter
rang through the historic hall sacred
to stately functions. Then they sat
down to high tea at two long tables.
The guests were waited on by the two
princesses. the duke of Connaught and
Lord InOlne, VINO saw iHdl lilt lf'liC
ones wanted for nothing. Some chill
dren would stand on the seats, all be-
came boisterous happy, while the
queen wheeled around the tables, adj
dressing some here, some there, tell
ing them:
"Be Happy, My Children"
"Be happy, my children, l want TO
see you enjoy yourselves"
The queen remained in the hall for
an hour and quarter She then
withdrew. waving adieu TO the party
as she reached the door. She showed
far greater interest in the boys than
in the girls. She asked the names of a
few particular pretty or sturdy young
sters.
The entertainment was an unquali-
fed success. The children left reluc-
tantlv, to be driven to their homes
after the merriest party ever held
within Windsor castles storied halls.
gen. Carpenter Retired.
Washington. Dec. 2s.-Gen. Gilbert
S. Carpenter. who was recently con-
firmed as brigadier general in the reg
ular army. has been placed on the re-
t;-ol ia 81, he ox.p anulicp tiOn after