The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-12-27


grand pageantries, 1862, that Queen
Elizabeth, in a state visit 10 St
PauPs 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-
tious 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 1869 presented his respects to the
virgin queen in all due ceremony. Cor
geously appareled himself, and his
steed not less so, the royal visitor was
accompanied by 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-
ber 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 he 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
thrifty?"
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 a
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
a source of abuses that in 1900 it had
to be forbidden by law. Yet even as
late as 1858 James III himself still ac-
cepted such tokens from his subjects.
AS an example of these offerings from
successful suitors may be mentioned
pair of gloves containing 80 angels, or
half sovereigns. presented on New
Years day by Mrs. Croaker to Sir
Thomas More in recognition of his de-
cision in her favor In n suit against
Lord Arundel. at would be against
good manners" said the chancellor.
Ito forsake gentlewoman's New
Years gift, and l accept the. gloves.