The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-12-10
CHRISTMAS TRADE
IN LONDON

London, Dec. 1O.-The political
situation does not appear to be both
ering the London shOpkeepers very
much at present They are busy
with the Christmas trade, which this
year promises to be unusually large.
1t started in some time ago, for the
English people have to buy gifts for
their colonial friends and can not put
off such purchases until the day be-
fore Christmas.
The London shops are most fascin-
ating just now with their brilliant
displays of holiday goods. especially
those in the Ludgate Hill district
No where else in London is such
scene to be witnessed, and it is a
question if such scene can be wit
messed anywhere else in the world.
1t is difficult to imagine how one
with money to spend can resist the
temptations of the shop windows.
The great stores are bewildering in
their displays, but more picturesque
are the gutter merchants-men, wo-
men and children-who line the curb
with not an inch of space between
them.
Things to eat go in every properly
stocked package that leaves England
during the holiday season The trade
in Christmas buildings for shipment
to Canada India, South Africa, Aus
tralia and the West Indias is enor-
nous. The dealers in these wares
reap enormous harvests at this sea-
son of the year, for the cheapest plum
buildings sent abroad cost the buy
Ell at least $40, and from this fig
IRE the prices range upward to S25
for the largest in size and best in
quality
Royalty. as usual, leads the way
in the holiday festivities. Christmas
at Sandringham is always celebrated
in true Dickens style by the king and
queen, and everybody on the royal
estate is busily employed now in max
ing preparations for the joyous sea-
son. The king and queen will enter
tain a large and distinguished house
party of personal friends, and on sew,
dove tho lyinu nd prir Of
Wales and their gentlemen will be
out shooting in the Sandringham
preserves.
Christmas eve is a great day among
the people on the royal estate. for
there is always distribution of beef
and game. This is carried out in
the large cachhouse close to the
royal mansion, under the direct super
vision of the king and queen. A prime
bullock. which has been especially
fed on the Wolferton farm, is slaught
cred, and the meat cut up into huge
joints and distributed. each man re-
ceiving a joint and a gift of game at
the hands of the king or queen. the
quantity varying according to the size
of the recipients family.
The royal mansion is gaily decorat-
ed at Yuletide with evergreens ard
flowers, and large bunch of mistle-
toe always occupies prominent place
in the front hall. 1t is to this spot
that for some years past King Edward
and Queen Alexandra have been led
by their grandchildren to receive
kiss under the mistletoe.
The children of the Prince and
Princess of Wales take care to see
that large stockings are tied up to
receive seasonable gifts. Before
church time on Christmas morning
the young princes are taken over to
Sandringham house to wish their
royal grandparents happy christ
mas ana receive gifts from them.
During the week following Christ
mas numerous festivities are held for
the royal servants and the workmen
on the estate, including a smoking
concert for the indoor male servants,
ball for all the royal retainers, and
Christmas tree in the ballroom,
from which gifts are distributed to
everybody employed by the king at
Sandringham.