The sun., 1910-01-09
ROYALTY IN THE COUNTRY
Queen AIeNansira's Daily Life .at sand
ringham-Her Taste In Books.

Queen Alexandra at Slndringham
the life of an ordinary English chatelaine.
Rising early she partakes OF a simple
brea kfast, says the GeRihewomdn, and
then, accompanied by Miss Charlotte
Knollys, visits her dogs at the kennels
and looks after her flowers and fruit
in the gardens, whose beauty owe as
much TO her taste as does the interior
OF the house at Sandringham. :.
Before luncheon the Queen goes over
her correspondence-it is always very
large-with Miss Knollys. and whatever
letter she can she does answer herself.
To her guests she never appears before
luncheon, AZ her time 10 too fully occupied.
Letters again fill her afternoons some
times; and then the genial Sandringham
tea follows, when besides cake and tea,
sandwiches, even soups. ham and eggs.
and all sorts Of good things are discussed.
and the men have the choice OF parta king
OF whiskeys and sodas.
The Queen presides over one tea table
and Princess Victoria over another and
the children OF the Prince and Princess
of Wales come over from York Lodge
to enliven the party. The parrots are
usually made to go through their antics
at this time and there is one in particular
which does not cease to draw corks and
yell God save the Queenl"
After dinner. which. by the way, DIR.
OFT does not allow the King nowadays
TO partake OF later than O'Clock instead
OF at a quarter TO Q. as OF yore, music
is discussed by the ladies, and the King
goes on to the bridge room at an early
stage Of the evening. He will sit up very
late over bridge. and with his wonderful
constitution he never gets either tired
or cross over the game.
Lately the Queen has taken a liking
to bridge and plays quite well. IL is a
principle with her and the King never
to allow any unmarried girl under their
roof to play cards for money.
The Queen has always been a great
reader and her taste in books is individual
and most delicate. She avoids the prob
lem novel and prefers books that deal
with serious topics and especially works
that have made history. Stories that deal
with the simple annals Of the poor attract
her and even an old book like Uncle
Toms Cabin" is much appreciated by
Queen Alexandra.
Years ago the then Princess OF Wales
asked friend TO procure for her a COPY
Of -Jinx's Baby that indictment Of
so-called charity. John Inglesant' is
said to be one Of our Queens favorite
novels and she has always had a great
liking for Miss Charlotte Yonge's old
world productions, Indeed The Heir
OF Rsdclyfe" was one OF the books that
she read in her girlish days in Denmark.
Hans Andersen's fairy tales were also in
high favor. especially The Little Match
Girl" and The Swinehsrd.-
Then Queen Alexandra has great love
for poetry. especially for the works of
British poets. Some OF Shelley's verses
please her. but the late Lord Tennyson's q
poems are perhaps her chief favoritee.
Like many other ardent book lovers she
considers that good book deserves
fine raiment. and she. like King Edward
has done much to revive tho old art of
bookbinding. and in this rela ton Il is
worthy Of note that the artistic group
Of women bookbinders have received
many commissions from her. The Queen
has a most ornate book plate the owner :
ship Of which is indicated by the one word
Alexandra