Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23

~ interest in Christmas this year.
For the past month the queen
has been assiduously shopping,
both in London and Windsor, while King
Edward. through his secretary, Sir Francis
Knollys has ordered hundreds of Christ
mas presents to be sent to him by London
tradesmen, jewellers and fine art dealers.
Not since his coronation has the king
taken such a keen, personal interest in the
festivities of Yuletide The kings severe
Illness during coronation year. and the fact
that various members of the royal family
were away from home, have made the last
few royal Christmases rather dull. This
year. however, most OF the English royal
ties are at home. and with all the royal
children who Will be present at Sandrlng-
ham Palace-where the king always SPENDS
Christmas-the event promises to be very
lively.
supervised the getting up of his own CHRIST
mas card His majesty spent many weeks
in thinking cut appropriate design, and
had hundreds of sketches and suggestions
submitted to him before making his final
selection.
He wished to obtain something that would
bear more or less political significance. For
a long time the balance hung between
card IMPLYING the recently established en-
tente cordiale between England and France
and subject calling attention to the
Anglo-Japanese alliance Finally. the lat
idea decided upon, ana lIe hIlS
Christmas card took definite shape IN
painting ordered by the king from the dis
tingushed artist John Bacon of the Royal
Academy.
The kings Christmas card shows ball
room scene. The two leading hgures In
the foreground are young and handsome
British admiral in full-dress uniform lead
ing forth the dantiest of Japanese prin-
cesses, arrayed in the most exquisite of ma
tional costumes. The confidence of the gal
liant admiral seems to reassure the some
what shrinking princess
The whole political trend of the card is
very evident 1t plainly says. strongly
picture can say, that II Japan Will
come forth from her retiring position the
English government will make place for
her in municipalities. and assure her not
only moral support, but back II up with the
power of the English fleet.
1t is certainly a very unique way of Sig
nifying to the world English intentions with
regard to Japan. In a measure, the caro-
cannot but act as warning to Russia,
Germany and other powers" who might
be inclined to take the Anglo-Japanese alli-
ance lightly.
~
Though the issuing of mere Christmas
card may appear, first sight, matter
OF little import. at the same time when 1t
is borne in mind that these cards are sent
out by the king himself to the ruling mon
archs of Europe the message the card con-
veys cannot be ignored. There were hum
dreds of conventional Christmasy designs
which the king might have selected. and
which could not possibly have caused the
least feeling OF irritation on the part or
the powers. but, evidently, with all the due
forethought OF its meaning. the king wished
10 focus attention strongly on the Japanese
situation.
The kings card as sent out, is a steel en-
craving, on thick art-board. mounted on
white heavy card. at the top Of which is a
bow OF royal red silk. The simplicity or
outside measurement of the card Is about
inches by l. 1t was executed at the
kings order by Raphael, Tuck & Co.
Queen Alexandra's Christmas card for
this year is entirely different from the
kings. Its motif. 80 to speak. is wholly
domestic" 1t is very beautiful. and Is
thoroughly characteristic of her majesty.
All the world knows the queens love for
her home in Denmark. The card repre-
sents a scene from the life of the Dan sh
peasantry. All through Denmark the
peasant remembers, at Christmas time. his
feathered friends When the snow is on
the ground the birds of the air must be
considered" and the farm laborers from
time immemorial have provided nests for
their feathered friends. Every Christmas
eve the peasant, with his family steps
outside the cottage and hangs up a bund e
OF straw just under the overhanging por-
tIon of the roof. The ceremony is very
formal one. All members OF the family
must be present. the eldest usually
acting as master of ceremonies
Queen Alexandra is a great lover of birds
and animals and her card has expressed