THE IDEAL FAMILY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 53, 6 March 1929, Page 13

THE IDEAL FAMILY

One of tho largest families in England is living in Lewisham Park S.E. It consists of father and mother and twelve children —six daughters whose ages range from 9 to 22, and six sons between 5 and 23. Mr. C. 0. J. Christensen, the father, is a, produce ■merchant of Wood lane, E.C. Both he aud his wife are Danes, although they have lived iv Lewisham, whero all the children have been born, since their marriage 25 years ago. Mrs. Christensen, who is tall and handsome, discussed with a "Daily Mail" reporter the joys—and the troubles—of a large family. She said: "The reai difficulty is the utter impossibility of keeping ordor, especially when they are young. A certain amount of discipline is obviously necessary, but it is a task to enforce it. The ideal family, in my opinion, consists of five —or perhaps four —but no fewer. With a larger family tho children undoubtedly benefit in some ways, but equally certainly the paronts do not. Nevertheless I could not spare, one of mine. They have all been very much worth while, and they aro all happy and healthy." Tho ages of the Children are 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 16, 13, 12, 10, 9, and 5. "I can remember their names," Mrs. Christensen remarked with a. smile, "but I forget some of their ages." Mr. Christensen lays claim to a trophy montioned in the "Daily Mail" recently. It consists of a charming cup and saucer with a miniature of a: mother and two children and a design of gold and rosebuds which is presented by the Prussian Government to parents who have a twelfth child. Only 80 couples were entitled to receive it last year. ■ .

Complete sets of new money are obtainable at the Royal Mint toward the end of each year; 9482 sets were sold during the recent Christmas season.