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

separated lHc ODScINduCc "a
the Christmas from all cere-
II monials, preferring to keep
the time as one for jollifica-
ton with their own households. They
make the occasion one for the reunion OF
their relatives and for those Of the nobil-
ity who associate most intimately with
them and their royal families. The serv-
ants In the royal households benefit most
of all by the coming of the day, for 1t
is for them that numerous presents are
provided and many special privileges are
given. The good wishes of royalty as
we'll as the seasons greetings and SUBJ
stantial membranes of the day are ex-
tended to many charities. for in Europe
charity is associated very closely with
the keeping of Christmas. Those who
receive help year after year consider the
day we'll spent if their wants are supplied
by some person of higher social rank.
Another factor of keeping the holiday in
foreign countries is in observing some
national custom; on such occasions the
European conforms his own life to that
which is traditional in his country.
The kaiser. who has always spent the
day surrounded by his children at his
palace in Potsdam, will probably not
spend such q. happy Christmas this year
AS usual, the emperor has invited these
members of his family. but the crown
prince is said to have declined the in
vitation for himself and family. The
reply was made, of course, in resentment
of the kaiser's recent action in sending
the Crown Prince William to Danzig as
punishment for his conduct during the
recent Moroccan affair In declining the
invitation the prince made it clear that
he had decided to celebrate the holiday
with his regiment. the Deaths Head HUI
Ears. where he had been sent to devote
his energies With the family thus di-
vided, 1t is quite likely that gloom will
settle over the gathering which meets
to observe Christmas at the kaiser's pal
ace. The empress does not conceal her
sorrow at being parted from the little
grandchildren on a day which is looked
upon as the greatest of all days for Ger
man children. Even her tears though.
fail to conquer the proud spirit of her
son. Should the dove of peace descend
upon the kaisers household before De-
cember "a. this year will be one of the
merriest of all Christmases and the
royal youngsters will probably tyrannize
more than usual over their grandfather.
Often there are as many as thirteen
Christmas trees set up in the kaiser $
palace, as that household is a large one.
1t is on Christmas eve that the big family
celebration is held and the gifts dis
tributed. At the great feast dinner. which
closes the day, a carp from Bohemia Is
always served. The children are always
most eager to sec the STOLE a cake rep
resenting the Holy Babe of Bethlehem
wrapped in swaddiing clothes, and they
enjoy the "pfeffer kuchen," or ginger
bread. which all German families nave
at Christmas time. The Hall of Smells
will be the merriest part of all the palace
at POtsdam. There several Christmas
trees will be loaded with presents for the
servants. AS many of them have peen
employed in the palace for years. succeed,
ing their fathers. who in turn followed
previous generations of servants. the
celebration in the great hall is anticipated
from year to year with much giadness.
No servant receives a duplicate OF ms
last years gift nor will any one IAN 10
receive a present selected without thousnt
AS to his length of service or ms worth
as a worker. With such host TO pro-
vide for, no one could be expected 10 re-
member what had been given TO Inc
domestics in prior years, but that TASK rs
unnecessary. AS with everything else IN
the old world. so with the giving or glIts.
1t is systematized. 1t is said that for
years records have been kept oy cevere1
nations to show what every MEMBER OF