Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-10

royal uOuSenOlQ, eltQer nODie OF
servant, has received from the kings and
queens. The noble members of the
kalsers household receive guns Saddlery
outfits or gold-mounted or jeweled crops.
Frequently the emperor gives his auto
graph portrait. framed artistically in
porcelain, or he has made such presents
as jewel boxes to those Of whom he has
been most fond.
AS the demands upon royalty at the
gift season are SO tremendous, the pres
entS which they give are not interest
ing so much on account of their elegance
as upon their great numbers. The En-
peror of Germany begins his Christmas
day with luncheon, after which he usu-
ally walks about the grand park Sans
Souci. First, however, he and those
whom he chooses to accompany him pro-
vide themselves with bullying pockets of
marks fresh from the mint. These coins
are to be bestowed upon the poor whom
the emperor happens to meet. but as it is
never known which path the kaiser will
follow, there are many who await his
coming every year who are disappointed.
Each of those fortunate enough to be met
by the kaiser is given five, ten or twenty
marks.
Since Queen Christine first set I'D her
Christmas tree in her palace at Madrid
every year has seen lighted fir tree in
Spain's royal household. Although this
form of celebration is planned for the
children and younger members of the
royal family, the older members find
much pleasure in the lighted evergreen.
The traditional sacred play of the Ma
tivity usually takes the Spanish King and
Queen, as well as the nobility and dignl-
taries, to the theater on Christmas eve.
In this religious performance the birth
of the Savior Is depicted just as the
Spaniards interpreted the play when it
was written hundreds of years ago. They
pictured the shepherds as journeying
from their own Guadarrama hills. The
parents Of the infant Jesus are shown as
Lo Manchan peasants. and Herod as
King of CASTLE. There Is a blaze of
splendor and fashion about the playhouse
on account of the presence of the wealthy
and titled aristocracy. yet the story of
the birth of Christ is represented with
reverence After the theatrical perform
ance the audience of king, queen. nobility
and peasants proceeds to the midnight
mass. which is called cocks mass. because
the rooster is supposed to be the first to
herald the breaking of Christmas morn.
If this is so. the Growing fowl must issue
his summons for mass at midnight.
Christmas morn the Spanish king and
queen are accustomed to attend mass in
state. The royal children and other chill
dren whose parents are grandees of King
Alfonso's court enjoy their Christmas
morning at play. but in the afternoon
they attend the Manager ceremony at
church. In this Croche service the little
ones see a group of plaster casts repre-
senting the adoring shepherds and the
wise men bearing their gifts to the Christ
child in the manager. Figures of Mary
and Joseph arc also shown, as well as
that of an angel looking down upon the
Holy Infant.
The English and German Christmas has
even found it's way into Italy. for the
children Of King Victor Emmanuel and
Queen Helena enjoy holly and mistletoe
decorations Like all other children, they
love the Christmas tree with it's load of
presents best of all. Before the separa-
ton of church and state. at the time when
Rome was ruled by the edicts of the Vat
Jean, elaborate religious ceremonials took
place at midnight Christmas eve Re-
ligious services are now held December
%. but they are not characterized by
splendor or pomp. The Italian king and
queen enjoy the making Of gifts as much
as do any other sOvereigns. Sometimes
they select many Of their presents at the
stores. but the buying of such great num-
bers of gifts as it Is their lot to buy would
make Christmas shopping, as We think of
ii, an everlasting task. Instead of pro-
ceeding to the shops we delight in do