The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-12-17
GEORGE H. PICARD

rCopyright, 1905, by George II. Picard
- NE Of the numerous advantages
enjoyed 10y royal personages.
an advantage. too. which has
not been greatly exploited, is
the power 10 give TO any object dis
pensed as a Christmas gift no matter
how trivial it may be, q distinct and
abiding value. Tt is related Of one Of
the medieval ponuns that on a GER
tain occasion he was so grateful for a
service rendered him by q young prince
OF the Borgia family that he begged
him 20 name some suitable reward.
Come. my child" he suggested in
sinuaungly. Tell me what I can do
to please you Don't be afraid to put
ny liberality TO a test. It's the blessed
Christmas season, you know"
His youthful highness sighed deep
". but did not seem able to ind the
words 20 frame his request.
Courage, my FRIEND persisted his
holiness. 'I am Ga the mood for Civ
ing. ask confidently, and 1 should ad-
wise you to ask something more sub
stantial than my blessing"
The young Borgia realized that the
opportunity was golden. At that time
the temporal power of the Roman
p0ntn was SO great that kingdoms
were at bis disposal The prince knew
al that but it did not tempt him.
your holiness" he faltered. pros
troting himself. II beg you 10 give me
a lock of your hair"
AT this unexpected request the pope
was both startled and touched 1t
seemed incredible that a Borgia could
be satisfied with such q sentimental
+ requitaL and yet the young fellow
seemed 70 be in earnest
"Why do you select such a worthless
thing his holiness demanded.
"Oh. do not refuse mer' the prince
( expostulated. Think Of its value as a
+ relic after your holiness is canonizedr'
The ponun smiled grimly. Then he
put his right hand upon his head and
/ sighed long and rather mournfully. He
had some hair remaining. but scarcely
4 enough TO serve as a relic.
Gas YOU will," be groaned, "but
had rather you had asked me for the
kingdom Of the Two Sicilies"
+ some Of the Christmas presents ex-
changed 10y latter day royalty are al
+ most absurd in their practically. For
many years the gentle and well below.
ed Plus TX. was in the habit OF ex.
changing Christmas gifts with the
equally amiabie Victoria Of England
+ The pope invariably sent a package OF
I specially prepared and eXQuisitely
scented snuff. with an autograph Letter
extolling its virtues as q remedy FOL
catarrh and kindred disorders. Thi.
standing gift was sometimes accom-
panied by a few Jars OF wine mao,
from fruit taken from q particular win,
! in the Vatican garden. Tt is not impos
sible that her majesty may have mad,
a personal trial OF the pope's remedy
but It is certain that she did not &C
oui-e the habit That she appreciate,
the attention was made evident from
the fact that sundry Jars OF q marina
lade devised in the royal kitchen a
Windsor found their way az Christina
time % the Vatican.
some Of this delectable confecdol
made a holiday appearance in othe
European courts. The queens Ger
man grandchildren were fond OF il
and their royal Grandmother saw
A. that a goodly supply Of the dehcac
and its attendant supplement OF a pan
ucular seed cake Of her majesy's ow1
composition reached Potsdam In tim
for the Christmas dinner. one OF ID
queens Erandsons by marriage, "a
car. used TO send her the most beau
tiful malachite ana jade vases eve
seen in England. and in return b