The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-12-13
ENGLAND READY
FOR HOLIDAYS
Unsettled Social Conditions viii
Not Interfere With Festival

London. Dec. i3.--oncc more the
merry Yulctide is approaching and all
England is preparing for the holiday
season with its traditional glamour
and excitement and ioytuuess. High
and low. from king in Buckingham
palace to the poorest cottager is to
some extent imbued with the Yuleude
spirit which seems To pcrmeatc the
whole atmosphere of old England. Yet.
In spite OF the Joyful anticipation pre-
.vailng throughout the country. even
the most casual observer cannot fail
to notice a dominant note of sober
ness and the absence of great deal
.of the customary popular enthusiasm
in the preparations for the coming
feast
Industrial and financial conditions
have not been satisfactory this year.
Labor troubles ANA industrial deprcs-
sion have caused an uncertainty OF
economic conditions far greater than
i'm many years The high cost of liv-
mg, irksome enough in times of pros
pcrity. has become an oncrous burden
under the existing conditions and all
are suffering from its effect. Many
thousands Of persons in this city alone
are out OF work and in other cities the
conditions are not much better.
But, no matter how hard may be the
Times hAtH- all ct Nd
how slim the fund reserved for Yule-
tide merriment, the people OF England
viii not forcgo their observation OF
the greatest OF all holidays They will
celebrate it on a smaller more eco
nomical scale perhaps, but abandon
IT,. never. The average burgher may
find himself too poor this year to af-
ford turkey or roast beef for the
Christmas table, but rabbit is good
eating and rabbits, shipped from Aus
ualia or trapped N England, arc plen-
tifu! in the market and not beyond the
reach of the poor mans purse.
Christmas Costly to King.
The kings civi list is quite liberal
ana his private income is compare
lively large, but his expenses are ire
mendous and, less fortunate i'm that
respect than his subjects, his posi-
ton does no; permit him to cconomize
in observing Christmas. 1t is estimat-
ed that the aggregate value of the
presents which the king sent To the
various European sovereigns and their
consorts this year is between $4,000
and $4,000 For several weeks the
leading purveyors TO the court have
been sending selections OF their most
artistic wares iewclry. china. bronzes.
books, brio "a prac. etc, TO the royal
palace, where these things were ar.
ranged as an exhibit. Then the king.
accompanied 10y secretary. looked
over the display and selected the ar
tiClcs which appealed TO him. and In,
sovereigns to whom they should be
sent. With greetings from George r.
and J."
In accordance with time honorcd
custom each one OF these gifts is
packed in a handsome mahogany case.
lined with scented cotton wool. Special
messengers deliver these gifts TO the
various soyereigns for whom they are
intended These gifts represent Il
large variety of objects from pipes and
walking sticks to jewelry from china
or bronze vases to golden cigar or
cigarette cases. The presents to the
consorts, which are invariably sent in
the name Of both the king and the
queen, are always some handsome
pieces of iewelry. carefully selected by
the king.
PrePsr atoms Everywhere Evident
But these gifts to the crowned heads
Of Europe are by no means all the
gifts the king has to provide for. In
accordance with custom the king am
nually makes Christmas presents TO
all members of the rayal family, To the
leading members of his household, to
many of the officials and servants in