SANDRINGHAM 



and the Princess (December i) each child 

 received a packet of tea from the one, and from 

 the other a woollen garment. On Christmas 

 Day a tree thirty feet high, in the ball-room, 

 held presents for every one, the little princes 

 and princesses distributing toys to every child. 

 At the close of the annual examinations the 

 children of the various schools were enter- 

 tained, the Princess giving each child a little 

 present. The Prince was keenly interested 

 in the farm, and the Sandringham cattle and 

 live stock constantly figured in prize lists. For 

 cases of illness a blue cart left Sandringham 

 House daily, laden with good things. On 

 hunting days each peasant received his hare 

 or pheasant ; in winter the skaters were given 

 cups of hot wine or soup. Three great balls 

 took place annually : for the County, the Farm, 

 and the Servants' Hall. Alexandra and all her 

 children loved dancing and riding, the latter to 

 such an extent that the saying of " the weather 

 is too bad to put a dog outside," became in 

 Norfolk " too bad for the Princess to be out 

 riding." Lord Ronald Gower says in a letter 

 to a friend, " The Princess is adorable on her 

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