Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-27
QUEEN VICTORIA'S
CHRISTMAS TREE
Grand Time to the Children o
Guardsmen in South Africa
SCENE AT WINDSOR CASTLE
How the Little Ones Enjoyed the
Queens Party o. Incidents Con-
necicd with the Occasion.

New York, Dec. PA dispatch TO the
World from Windsor says
Queen Victorlas Christmas tree party
for the wives and children Of guards
men now In South Africa, at Windsor
castle, was a scene OF unconstrained
enjoyment The guests arrived In
royal equlpases at 4:l5 p. m, and were
marshaued IN the Waterloo chamber
by the mayor Of windsor, There, dur
ing the IS minutes Of waiting for the
queen to appear they romped and played
round games, and rolled on the rich,
soft carpets 10 their hearts content.
At O'Clock 81. Georges hall was
thrown open. Women and children
pressed In TO find the queen In her
wheel chair waiting Tor ner guests be-
side a towering Christmas tree, gilt
terlng with electric lights and brlstling
with toys.
Princess Christian was on the queens
right and Princess Beatrice with her
children, on her left Maids Of honor
were grouped around.
black lace shawl across her shoulders
ard with a peaked Widows cap, and
she Wore a gold framed miniature on
her breast.
She smiled somewhat sadly when
hush fell on the throng, as they
reached her presence. and the little
children gazed curiously at her. She
had told the court officials we must
have plenty Of light and brightness for
the little ones"
The gorgeous magnihcence Of the
surroundings struck the children with
delighted awe.
The queen became radlantly smiling
as each mother brought forward her
children.
An appropriate gift was taken from
the tree by the Processes and the maids
Of honor. and passed to the queen. She
handed II with charming motherliness
to the little recipients,
Some of the children nervously chung
20 their mothers skirts The queen
bent forward encouragingly and
watched their bright eyes glisten as
she pressed some handsome present into
their little hands. Others were bold
beyond the limits Of cougtship advanced
confidently and scrutlnzed 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 Overanxlous
mother told her little -year-old tod
der:
Bow Jimmy bow"
The boy confused turned back and
made his obeisance In the opposite d.
recti0n, whereat the queen, with lace
handkerchief TO her face, 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 grayely saluting with both
hands. The queen gave each an addl-
tional 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
lives. your majesty"
The queen answered.
Il have not enjoyed party more for
many years. II gladdens my heart to
give pleasure to families Of my gallant
soldiers"
The children now were creating a
treme- dous din. a perfect babel OF
squeaky instruments, humping drums.
Joyous laughter and childish clatter ran
through the historic hall, sacred to
stately functions. Then came the tea
at two long tables.
The guests were waited on by the
two nrincesses. and by duke OF Con-
nauCht and Lord Lorne. who saw that
the little ones wanted for nothing.
Some children would stand on
the setats all became bolster
terously happy, while the
queen wheeled around the tables. ad-
dressing some here, some there. telling
TIM "Be happy, my children / want
to see YOU enjoy yourselves
The queen remained In the hall for an
hour end a quarter, She then with
drew. waving adleu 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
particularly pretty or sturdy young
sters.
The entertainment was an unqualified
success. The children left reluctantly
TO be driven TO their homes after the
merriest narty ever held within Wind
sor Castles stOrled halls.