nd also to others in
the country districts surrounding the several Royal Palaces are well
known, the ancient Christmas and New Year's gifts being dispensed with
great generosity. The number of aged and afflicted persons usually
relieved by the Lord High Almoner in sums of 5s. and 13s. exceeds an
aggregate of 1,200. Then there is the distribution of the beef--a most
interesting feature of the Royal Bounty--which takes place in the
Riding School at Windsor Castle, under the superintendence of the
several Court officials. The meat, divided into portions of from three
pounds to seven pounds, and decorated with sprigs of holly, is
arranged upon a table placed in the middle of the Riding School, and
covered with white cloths from the Lord Steward's department of the
palace. During the distribution the bells of St. John's Church ring a
merry peal. There are usually many hundreds of recipients and the
weight of the beef allotted amounts to many thousands of pounds. Coals
and clothing and other creature comforts are liberally dispensed,
according to the needs of the poor. In times of war and seasons of
distress hospitable entertainments, Christmas-trees, &c., are also
provided for the wives and children of soldiers and sailors on active
service; and in many other ways the Royal Bounty is extended to the
poor and needy at Christmastide.

THE CHRISTMAS AT WINDSOR CASTLE, IN 1841,

is thus referred to in the "Life of the Prince Consort" (by Theodore
Martin):--

"When Christmas came round with its pleasant festivities and its
shining Christmas-trees, it had within it a new source of delight for
the Royal parents. 'To think,' says the Queen's 'Journal,' 'that we
have two children now, and one who enjoys the sight already, is like a
dream!' And in writing to his father the Prince expresses the same
feeling. 'This,' he says, 'is the dear Christmas Eve, on which I have
so often listened with impatience for your step, which was to usher us
into the present-room. To-day I have two children of my own to give
presents to, who, they know not why, are full of happy wonder at the
German Christmas-tree and its radiant candles.'

"The coming year was danced into in good old English fashion. In the
middle of the dance, as the clock finished striking twelve, a flourish
of trumpets was blown, in accordance with a German custom. This, the
Queen's 'Journal' records, 'had a fine solemn effect, and quite
affected dear Albert, who turned pale, an