Among Her Own People.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 3, 20 January 1909, Page 65

Among Her Own People.

THE LIFE i>F QUEEN ALEXANDRIA AT SANDRINGHAM. BY MARY SPENCER W ARREN. To-day is the Queen’s birthday, and countless thousand* throughout the land will fervently breathe the time-honoured wish : “ Many happy returns of the day ! ” The Queen in London is a beautiful and gracious lady, who imparts an indescribable charm to royal and society functions; who thinks and works for the benefit of the people; and who, when need exists, grapples with that need with unerring tact and true womanly sympathy. Did not the Queen give her help when distress was so rampant In the East End, and so set an example to the many who gladly followed? And has not her Majesty again come forward in the hour of the people’s distress, and thought out and executed her beautiful photographic scheme, whereby—as a result of the work of her own hands—multitudes of poor and afflicted persons will receive material benefit? These are but two incidents culled from a large number spreading away over the forty odd years since Queen Alexandria left the country of her birth for the country of her adoption; they are merely indicative of the loving kindness which has dominated th-* Queen’s whole life and prompted deeds which have made her universally popular and beloved. LADY BOUNTIFUL. In London, the Queen thinks for the people more or less collectively, at Sandringham more or less individually; for as far as possible her Majesty doll's her queenly state, dispenses with its inseparable formality, and becomes —one says it with all respect—the wife of a country gentleman, the lady bountiful of a handful. of villages, in the houses of which she is a familiar and welcome figure, and where her presence ever Alenotes the kindliest interest in the doings and happen ings of the occupants. That those are well cared for goes without., saying, and this is partly due to her Majesty’s womanly instinct of womanly requirements. Who does not remember the prompt inquiry for cupboards when the Queen visited some. County Council dwellings and found these useful fixtures altogether omitted- The’ necessity of detail is a strong point In her Majesty’s plans for the comfort of others; when the cottages on the Sandringham estate were rebuilt she had a large share in the suggestions which wore carried out with such happy effect. Be it said, moreover, that this rebuilding took place before even that of Sandringham House, for when the Queen came here as a young bride, she was most earnest in her efforts and most anxious to hurry forward the wishes of her husband, that all the old cottages should be deriiolished and model dwellings take the plape of thatch, bad ventilation, and general inconvenience and discomfort. MODEL COTTAGES. Cottages sprang up containing four or five rooms, fitted with cooking ranges and cupboards galore; surrounding them, a quarter of an acre of ground for the cultivation of fruit ami vegetables, with an out house for coal and wood storage, which also serves, as a washhouse lor (he women and a workshop for the men. In nearly every cottage, evidences of former royal visits and favours are plentiful; perhaps a tea-service which the Queen has given as a marriage present, or link' gifts bestowed upon special occasions, either connected with the royal family or that of the cottager. Should there be illness in any of these homes, the Queen is always ready with, her sympathetic help and kindness. Many a, time has she sat by the bedside of an invalid and quietly read or chatted brightly—in accordance with the condition of the patient -and often with her own hands has administered little delicacies which she herself has provided, and generally taken with her, too. It is not only in the bestowal of gifts that the Queen has so mucji endeared herself to • the people surrounding her gate s, for she has entered very truly into their joys and afflictions —the common Jot of all. Ami the Queen's fondness for children is proverbial. Her Majesty his often taken a child upon her knee to nurse and amuse it. and has been known to enter a house and take a trying baby

tn»m it* eradh ami soothe and hush it until its mot lo r’s return. Her Majesty’* birthday is a <la\ <1 high festival tor tie children, for in celebration of it *!•<• *en«ls out invitations to tea to al! of them. It is a red-letter day. rm* • t the landmark* of a child’s lite. ROYAL PRESENCE. Lime was when the Queen made it a point to Im* present throughout, handing round plates of cake and replenishing cups with a bu'dncss-like air. Now, however, her Majesty ” looks in,” taking due thought—in the midst of her pressing duties—of the fact that her presence gives an added zest to the children’s eujo\ ment. No one needs to he told that her Majesty is among the friendliest and .home best ladies in the land, and while, naturally. sh- has not now the time she formerly had tor visiting the cottages, yet the inhabitant* are by no means lost sight of. Many ha\< been known from theii birth up; the Queen ha* watched their education in the splendid schools which she ami the King have been instrumental in providing— where technical training succeeds the elementary ami the scholars are turned out properly and suitably equipped for the battle of life. To the aged around Sandringham the Queen has a!way* been a special friend, and many a time has she sat ami listen; <1 to an auld wife’s, tales, doing a bit of the old soul's knitting to occupy the time—for it then is one thing the Queen cannot endure, it is idleness. ” I rather pride myself on the way I knit,” said her Majesty “lie day to one such old woman: *’ 1 have just made a pair for my husband, ami ’ —here the Queen wa* interrupted with a “ Deary me, and do \on knit his stocking* ? Well, well, ma'am, it’s only me ami you who makes the things as knows the 'orrible 'oles (he men do make in the 'eels.” Tale* grave and gay of the Queen among her people, might be multiplied ; ami her Majesty’s real womanly kindness expatiated upon for a limitless In joy ami in sorrow *be has been ami is one "with them all. and not only at Sandringham, but throughout the dominion*. ail classes of individuals will hail her Majesty’s natal day: ” The Queen! Clod bh"*s her! -