FORTUNES SPENT ON CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
What must be, for its size, the most costly Christmas present ever given is possessed by the Queen of Spain. It is a Roman crocs cut from an enormous emerald. Each of the four edges of tho cross is capped with an exquisitely-cut brilliant, and the ornament hangs from the wearer's neck on a delicate chain of gold. It was given to Queen Victoria by the ex-Empress Eugonie. The value of a Christmas tree presented to Pope Leo XIII. must have been enormous. The tree was of solid gold, and stood about two feet high. The tree was sent to Leo XIII. by an Irish gold miner who stumbled upon a rich claim and made a fortune in a few ■ months. His costly thank-offering absorbed more than a quarter of his wealth. bome six years ago Mr. Piernont Morgan commemorated an exceptionally prosperous business year by giving each clerk in his bank a Christmas present of a year's salary. This cost the millionaire over £45,000. In ordinary circumstances his Christinas gifts amount to about £20,000 yearly. A 70ft high Christmas tree ' which the Duke of Norfolk once installed in Arundel Castle was decorated with presents valued at £5000. A 40ft high tree used at Windsor Castle in 1844 held presents representing the outlay of £9000.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14250, 22 December 1909, Page 8 (Supplement)
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220FORTUNES SPENT ON CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14250, 22 December 1909, Page 8 (Supplement)
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