Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-14
HER MAJEsTY'S CHOCOLATE.
Everybody Approves Queens Idea OF
n Suitable Gift to an Army.
nOndOn TelegraphD

The announcement of the gracious act
of her Majesty in deciding to present 10
each soldier and sailor serving in South
Africa spocially-designed box contain
ing half pound of chocolate has aroused
widespread interest Conversation in
train. tram. and bus in London and
other cities has shown that the motherly
thought that prompted this act, so sym
pathetic. timely and generous, has been
recognized IL has called forth many
thousand expressions Of respect and
loyalty from the people 10 the Sovereign.
Last night we were officially Informed by
the Secretary for War that 1t is her
Majesty's intention to include the men OF
the naval contngents and Of the colonial
forces I'm South Africa among the receipt
ents of the gift In fact, every man UNI
der arms in South Africa will receive
present-a personal link between Sover-
eign and subject.
Curiosity has been piqued by the an
nouncement OF the Queens present. our
Bristol correspondent yesterday learned
from one of the members of the Well
known firm Of chocolate makers, Messrs
j. $. Fry x Sons, that two or three weeks
ago Sir Arthur Bigge, on behalf OF the
Queen, communicated with Mr. r. A. Fry
one of the Directors at the London fac
tory, respecting the royal gift. 1t was es-
timated that in all ninety-thousand half
pound tins would be the best vanilla cho-
colate. Messrs, j. S. Fry x Sons were
first communicated with, as they are her
Majesty's royal warrant holders. but ii
was decided 10 divide this huge order for
chocolate between the three leading
firms of j. S. Fry * Sons of Bristol; Cad
bury Brothers of Birmingham, and ROwn-
tree of York
A representative Of that firm smiled
al the question whether such a quantity
of chocolate as six or seven tons could
be prepared at their British factories.
The chocolate will be made at Bristol In
a few days, but the most important ques-
ton Is the provision O. specially designed
decorated tins I'm which the chocolate will
be inclosed. The firm has in store an Inn
mense variety Of highly artistic prOduc-
tons the dies for which take several
weeks to produce, but her Majesty re-
quired a special design which would make
the decorated tin an object OF value in it.
self, we'll worth preserving as souvenir
of a very exceptional occasion. Accord
ingly Messrs. Fry d Sons applied 10 their
box designers and manufacturers, Messrs.
Barclay & Fry of Southwark Street, Lon
don. That firm prepared design, emilia
zOned on a card, with FURNISHED red
ground. In the centre Of the cover of the
tin there will be gilt medallion of the
Queen, and the design Will include the
royal monogram in red white and blue,
and the words prominently engraved,
mitted to and approved by her Majesty,
and, although the great order has been
distributed among three firms-Messrs.
HendsOn, Scott q Sons. Carlisle, Barrin-
ger OF Mansfield, and, of course, Barclay
* Fry of LOndOn-the design for the tins
Will he uniform. They will be specimens
Of the highest style Of this class of work,
productions that Will be valued far above
their actual cost, which, IL IS stated, will
not be less than Sd each. Each tin will
10 .aI.I in A oil ftrral
~ days will be occupied In the manufac-
ture OF the necessary dies for the design.
il is evident that the whole order will not
be executed till some time this month,
but II is understood that the present IS 10
be a New Years gift from the Queen 10
her soldiers and sailors I'm South Africa
Hence the date 1900"
The gifts will be unique. and they will
go from her Majesty TO the brave defend
tTs OF the empire, and 10 them only Each
tin as IL is manufactured will be counted,
and only sufficient will be made TO carry
out her Majesty'S order The Queen hay-
ing expressed the desire that none but
her soldiers and sailors I'm South Africa
should receive the tins, special orders
have been issued that no more than the
required number shall be manufactured,
and when the total number has been
made the dies will at once be destroyed.
A few words may be appropriate as to
the character of the chocolate which Will
carry TO every soldier and sailor a per-
sonal feeling OF the kind thought Of the
Sovereign. 1t will be the best chocolate
that can be had. 1t will be nourishing as
well as toOthsome. Messrs. Rowntree
state that the brand known as THE
Queens" >will be the kind which they will
use in carrying out their portion OF the
order. The chocolate will be not merely
a sweetmeat-and 1t will be that-but
can be used equally Well as a beverage
Each half pound will be sufficient TO
make from twelve TO sixteen cups of
warm. refreshing drink, which will be
as sustaining as II Will be palatabe. If
made with that care which Will certainly
be lavshed by the army cooks i'm render
ing the chocolate as pleasant 10 the taste
as possible. 1t is interesting to note that
at a rough estimate her Majesty's gift
represents over 100000 cups of chocolate
If all the troops utilize IL as drink; or il
will give pleasure i'm countless odd mo-
ments. for chocolate can be eaten at any
time, of or on the battlefield. 1t is GER
tain that the gift will be heartily appre-
ciated. and the manufacturers have nobly
risen TO an occasion Of unique royal SYM
patty. In the case of Messrs Rowntree-
and probably the other firms have the
same intention--the order of her Majesty
Is being executed at cost price.