LITTLE ORANGE NASSAU.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 477, 8 April 1909, Page 3

LITTLE ORANGE NASSAU.

GIFTS IN ADVANCE. ■ Orange Nassau is tho heroic but hardly euphonins namo that awaits tho littlo heir to the throno of Holland, and a recent English paper chronicles tho preparations that aro boing made to give tho child a welcome worthy of tho name. Now it has always been a custom with tho I Dutch Royal family not to accept presents I from' subjects, so that tho Queen was in a [ difficult position when sho was informed of those projects to present tho Queen with gifts for the Royal nursery. With much taet, she drew up a message saying that what sho appreciated most was the kind intention of tho givers, but that she hoped that the greater part of tho money would bo spent on some charitable purpose. And this will bo done. In every town and village committees have been formed to allow all tho women in tho place to contribute. A central committeo was then appointed for overy province to arrange ono gift in tho namo of tho wholo province. In this way there will bo money enough to present "the Queen with an article of value, and sufficient will be left over for charity. ■ .

Tho province of Zeeland, for instance-,-will give a white perambulator; tho laco sunshade over it for summer use will bo mado by tho famous Sluis lacemakers. The Hague gives a cradle, tho embroidery of which is entrusted to the same hands that embroidered the Queen's coronation robes and her wodding dress. Leeuwardon gives a silver book on an antique oak stand, in which tho events of baby life will be noted down—the buby's weight overy week, the date of the first tooth, of tho first step, of little ailments, etc. Rotterdam gives a silver mug, plate, spoon, and egg-cup; Amsterdam a washstand with silv.er ewer, basin, etc. A screen painted by some well-known Dutch artists, an antique oak chest for linen, a press for baby clothes, white lacquered furniture, a clock in Hinloper carved wood, and a weighing machine are among the other gifts. The larger towns pre--ferred not to join the provincial committees, neither did the East and West Indian Colonies nor the Dutch people living abroad. The. Dutch colony in London hopes to collect money enough for a free bed in one of the London hospitals, to be always at tho disposal of a Dutch patient. It is the custom in Holland to use pink ribbons and pink lii.ing for the cradle curtains when a girl would be most welcome; light blue when a boy is hoped for. So tho Hague ladies inquired what colour the Queen would prefer for the cradle, but the diplomatic answer came that her Majesty has chosen a special shade of "vieil or" for'the nursery, and would prefer the same colour for the cradle.

The baby trousseau had, indeed, already been ordered wlien tho Queen was the first time disappointed in her expectations. The dainty, littlo garments were mado in different schools and workshops in Holland. The Queen is fond of elaborate hand-made embroideries, and she is a very good judge of needlework, so that it is needless to say with how much loving care, the layette was ordered. ' The happy event is expected, in the last- days of March or the beginning of April. As soon as the Royal baby is.Tiorn, men armed with flags will. communicate the news from one to another with different signals for a Prince or a Princess, so that from the Palace it reaches the Malieveld like running fire. Then the cannon boom forth the happy news to inform th<v Royal residence of the Queen's ■ deliverance. Telephones and telegraph' I tvill lonvoy i\\3 news to-evory part of the country and tho colonies, and who shall in what way the Dutch nation will then give vent to its delight? Those \>'ho. witnessed the Queen's coronation am] wedding marvelled at the boundless enthusiasm,.of.-thei Dutch for their Sovereign, at their' exuberant gaiety, and tho touching?manifestations of their love for the Roya! House. Those were festivities propared .•α-long time beforehand/ . Everything went smoothly then; so what will the outburst of joy bo now after the former disapr' pointmonts and the months of anxious expectation? There will bo no clubbing together' of ■ whole streets for decorations or elahorate triumphal arches, no choirs singing long-rehearsed cantatas, no historical processions.' But of late there has been a brisk trade in orange paint, in red, white, and blue ribbon,'in flags and flagstaffs. In secret many peasants have painted their best wooden shoes orange, putting them aside ..until the festive moment; careful hare had'their flagstatFs newly painted and their flags cleaned so as to have everything <jn readiness And with ovei.r housa displaying the red, white, and blue, with the bells ringing, the old churches playing, their carillons,and the crowds singing in the-streets, tho towns will bo festive enough. During the coronation week the dancing and singing crowds used to pass the Queen's palace oil tiptoe' at night, : some even in their stockings, so as not to disturb the Queen's slumbers, taking up their songs again in a loud key when they \yere out of hearing of tne Palace. The same spirit still actuates her Majesty's loyal subjects.