The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-27
THE QUEENS PARTY.
Given to Wives and Children of
Guardsman In Africa.

New York, Dec. PA dispatch to the
World from windsor says:
Queen Victoria's Christmas tree par
ty for the wives and children of
guardsmen now in South Africa, at
Windsor Castle, was a scene of uncon-
strained enjoyment. The guests arriv-
ed in royal equipages at AIS p. m. and
were marshalled in the Waterloo cham
Der by the mayor of Windsor Ihere,
during the 45 minutes of waiting for the
queen to appear, they jumped and play
ed round games and rolled on the rich
soft carpets to their hearts content.
AT O'Clock St. Georges hall was
thrown open. Women and children
pressed into find the queen in her wheel
chair waiting for her guests beside a
towering Christmas tree, ,glistening with
electric light and bristling with toys.
Princess CHRISTIAN was on the queen
right and Princess Beatrice with her
/ children on her left. Maids of honor
! We're grouped around.
The queen was dressed in black with
a black lace shawl across her shoulders
and with a peaked widows cap, and
she wore a gold framed miniature on
her breast
She smiled somewhat sadly when a
hush fell on the trOng as they reached
her presence and the little children
! gazed curiously at her She had told
/ the court officials, We must have plen-
! ty of light and brightness for the little
| ones"
The gorgeous magnifcence of the sur
| lighted awe.
The queen became radiantly smiling
/ as each mother brought forward her
] children.
An appropriate gift was taken from
the tree by the princesses and the
maids of honor and passed to the
queen. She handed it with charming
mOtherHneSS to the little recipients
Some of the children nervousIy clung
to their mothers skirts. The queen
bent forward encouragingly and watch
L i 81.
pressed some handsome presents into
their little hands. Others We're bold
beyond the limits of courtship, advanc-
ed confidently and scrutinized the toys
| with a critical eye.
The queen was gracious and affable
alike to all and fully alive to the hu-
NOR of the situation. One over-anx-
iOus mother told her little year old
tOddler: Bow, Jimmy, bow
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 fell
| low and patted him on the head.
Another lad gave a correct military
! salute, but the succeeding one beat him
! by gravely Saluting with both hands.
/ The queen gave each an additional toy.
One cheerful old lady went right up
| to her majesty, leaned her hand famil-
/ iarly on the queen, resting on the side
/ of her chair, and said:
This is the greatest honor Of our
4 lives, your majesty
The queen answered: ttI have not en-
/ jOyed a party more for many years.
| 1t gladdens my heart to give pleasure
1 to families of my gallant soldiers
| The children now were creating a ire
| mendous din; a perfect babble of
/ squeaky instruments, humping of
| trums, joyous laughter and childish
! chatter. rang through Historic hall
/ sacred to stately functions. Then they
1 sat down to high tea at two long tables.
The guests were waited on by the
! two princesses, the Duke of Connaught
1 and Lord Lorne, who saw that the little
4 ones wanted for nothing. Some children
/ would stand on the seats; an became
| boisterously happy, while the queen
/ wheeled around the tables, addressing
some here, some there, telling them:
BE happy, my children, I want to see
| you enjoy yourselves.
The queen remained in the hall for an
| hour and a quarter. She then withdrew,
| waving adieu to the party as she reach
/ ed the door.
/ She showed far greater interest in
/ the boys than in the girls. She asked
/ the names of a few particularly pretty
or sturdy youngsters.
| The entertainment was an unqualified
/ success. The children left reluctantly
/ to be driven to their homes after the
[ merriest party ever held within Wind
/ sor castles stored halls.