The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-12-27

grand pageantries, 1862. that Queen
Elizabeth; In a. state visit to St
Paul's cathedral severely rebuked the
dean for having, so thoughtlessly laid
on her cushion. as token Of love
and respect, a prayer book. richly
bound and full of splendid illustrations
Of the apostles and martyrs. at the
very moment when the sovereign had
issued stringent laws against "supersti-
dous images and pictures"
On that festival too. foreign princes.
In the course Of. their travels were ex.
pected to officially attend the reception
Of whatever court they then happened
to be visiting. A glimpse Of the parade
surrounding such formalities is given
in the description of the equestrian
procession Of the Swedish prince, who
IN 1859 presented his respects to the
virgin queen in all due ceremony. Cor.
geously appareled himself. and bis
steed not less so. the royal visitor was
accompanied by a large retinue. clad
in velvet and heavy gold chains, the
guards carrying halberts. +
Truly, one wonders at the trouble
and expense incurred by the noble
travellers in those days Of slow commu-
nications, strict etiquette and magnifi-
cent display. AS family gathering
New Years day always proved an oc-
casion for renewal Of friendship and
reconciliation. Who does not remem-
Der. for instance; the anecdote OF the
Prince of Wales. son Of Henry v, who,
anxious to appease his irritated father
and to show him how unjustly he had
been slandered, appeared in court, on.
the grand anniversary Of universal
good will, in his blue students robe,
pierced round the collar with eyelets
corresponding in number with the
years be had spent at the university.
From each tiny hole hung a needle and,
thread. BY this mute and original
pleading, variously interpreted, the du-
tiful son Is. however, credited with In
tending to clear himself from the i'm
putation Of being a spendthrift. Had
he not carefully and obediently kept
the needle and thread given every year
by the bursar to Oxford students with
the fatherly advice, Take this and be
thriftyT ,. ~:
The unfortunate Mary, queen of
Scots, eagerly availed herself OF this
opportunity to propitiate her cousin
Elizabeth. to whom she sent cunning
headdresses of network, likewise col
lars and cuffs. knitted gold hair nets
and rare and beautiful embroideries.
Among the latter was conspicuous q
basquine. or Spanish coat which, when
worn with the mantilla, wrapped the
figure much after the style Of the
Turkish female garb! Many illusions
to special money for her New Years
generosities are found in the august
prisoners correspondence.
No doubt the great characteristic OF
the eventful day was the lavishness
with which gifts were distributed IN
every class Of, society as tokens OF
love, respect and gratitude, amounting
sometimes to bribery. Indeed this del.
icate way of securing the favor OF
judges and high officials became such
q source Of abuses that In 1870 1t had
to be forbidden by law. Yet even as
late as 1888 James II himself still ac-
cepted such tokens from his subjects.
Ar an example Of these offerings from
successful suitcrs may be mentioned a
pair of gloves containing 90 angels, or
half sovereigns, presented on New
Years day by a Mrs. Croaker to Sir
Thomas More In recognition OF bis de-
cision In her favor In q suit against
Lord Arundel. 1T would be against
rood manners" said the chancellor.
"to forsake q gentlewoman's New
Years rift. and l accept the gloves.
The lining you will be pleased to be-
stow elsewhere" In fact, during this
festive season gloves were customary
Gifts In the sixteenth century. but on
account of their cost money was OFTEN
given instead; hence 1t became known
rs glove money"
The purchase Of two pairs OF lined
gloves. for Queen Anne Of Denmark
had so exhausted the savings OF the
beautiful but poor Arabella Stuart that
she was reduced to knit q purse as q
humble but dutiful New Years offer-
Ing to James l. Lady Mary Grey,
more fortunate, had been able IN 1913
to present her beloved Queen Marie
Stuart not only two pairs of sweet
gloves, but four dozen gold buttons,
with q seed pearl in the center OF each.
Occasionally. too, presents embodied
some allegory or hidden meaning only
understood by the giver and receiver.
The quaint though unattractive jewel
affecting the shape Of dark lantern,
sent in Scotland by Harrington to
James, carried with it the long expect
ed news that bis accession to the Eng
lish throne was but matter Of a few
days or even hours. How eloquently 1t
expressed "the failing lamp Of life
was very dim with the departing queen
and would soon be yelled In the dark
ness of the tomb."-London Queen.
New Years Dinner.
, Oyster Soup.