Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1904-12-24
CHRISTMAS IN ENGLAND.
KING AND QUEEN GO TO
THE COUNTRY.
Christmas Will Be Celebrated In
The Old-Fashioned Eng
fish Manner.

London, Eng, Dec. a. -London
presents the deserted appearance usual
on kthe eve of Christmas. the King
and other members of the royal fam
ily having gone to the country. Emu
lating the royal example, the aristo-
cratic families, together with all sorts
and conditions of people, have gone 70
county homes, where Christmas viii
he celebrated in the old fashioned
English style.
In no home of the whole British en-
pire, perhaps, are the traditions OF
christmas observed with stricter re-
gard than at Sandringham, where
King Edward and Queen Alexandria
have spent the Christmas season Tor
wears past, surrounded by their chill
dren, and latterly by their children:
Here the 25th is q day of peace and
bounty and charity. The house party
usually includes the Prince and PTin-
cess of Wales and their children. the
Duke and Duchess of Argyll and their
children. and Prince and Princess
Charles. of Denmark. Princess Vic
toria is, of course, Of the party.
This afternoon and evening the cot
taoers. workmen and other laborers
at Scandinavian assembled and receiy-
ed presents of beef, the joints ayerag-
ing six hounds apiece. This pleasant
task completed, Christmas trees are
exhibited and presents are exchanged
among the members of the royal fam
ily and the guests in the house, party.
Bright and early Christmas morning
the grandchildren of their MaJesties
scramble out of bed pretty much in
the same manner of children all over
Ohristendom, and run to their stock
ings to see what Santa Claus has
brought them. The King, Queen and
ali the house party attend Christmas
service in st. Mary Magdalene's
Church. After service lunch is served.
and the royal kennels and stables are
visited. King Edward, as is well
known, is very fond of horses, and the
Queen makes pet of dogs, OF which
she keeps quite number.
Christmas dinner IS eaten IN the
handsome dining hall at Sandrlng-
ham. Many of the customs inaugu-
rated and established by Queen Vic
toria in regards to the Christmas din
ner are regularly observed by the
present sovereign. King Edward Will
carve the roast, which, when served
AT the table. will weigh in the neigh
borhood of 1870 pounds. The different
courses will be marked by the quaint
ceremonies inaugurated Lin the reign
of Henry VIII. and since followed by
every sovereign on Christmas. The
MUM pudding, which will weigh an
even 100 pounds, will be placed upon
an imense golden platter decorated
with mistletoe and holly and borne
into the dining room on the shoulders
If four attendants at arms. At the
close of the dinner the toast will be
drank bv the company standing TO the
memory of the late Queen Victoria
and the Prince Consort, and his MaJes-
~ will then toast in order the Prince
Of Wales. Great Britain and her COLO
mics and her loyal subjects. The pres
ents Of the King and Queen to the
servants of the royal household are on
the usual liberal scale, while the out
Law for flows. articles of jewelry, books,
nictures and boxes of cigars for the
Gentlemen and ladies in waiting, tue
Grandchildren, children, intimate
Friends and other favored ones. Is said
~ have exceeded $40. 600. In addition
to those of the Immediate family
circle there we're handsome gifts Tor
the relatives aud friends at st. Peters
burg. Berlin, Darnstand, Bucharest
ond other foreign courts.