sents for the Empress on the
other table are arranged in the same manner. Among the objects never
missing at the Emperor's Christmas are some large Nuremberg ginger
cakes, with the inscription "Weihnachten" and the year. About
half-an-hour later tea is taken, and this terminates the Christmas Eve
of the first family of the German Empire.

CHRISTMAS THROUGHOUT GERMANY,

it may be added, is similarly observed in the year 1900. From the
Imperial palace to the poor man's cottage there is not a family in
Germany that has not its Christmas tree and "Weihnachts
Bescheerung"--Christmas distribution of presents. For the very poor
districts of Berlin provision is made by the municipal authorities or
charitable societies to give the children this form of amusement,
which they look forward to throughout the year.

THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES IN AUSTRIA

are similar to those in Germany, the prominent feature being the
beautifully-adorned and splendidly-lighted Christmas-tree. At one of
these celebrations, a few years ago, the numerous presents received by
the young Princess Elizabeth included a speaking doll, fitted with a
phonograph cylinder, which created no small astonishment. Among other
things, the doll was able to recite a poem composed by the Archduchess
Marie Valerie in honour of Christmas Eve.

The poor and destitute of Vienna are not forgotten, for, in addition
to the Christmas-tree which is set up at the palace for them, a large
number of charitable associations in the various districts of Vienna
have also Christmas-trees laden with presents for the poor.

CHRISTMAS EVE IN ST. MARK'S, VENICE.

You go into the Duomo late on Christmas Eve, and find the time-stained
alabasters and dark aisles lit up with five hundreds of wax candles
over seven feet high. The massive silver lamps suspended across the
choir have the inner lamps all ablaze, as is also the graceful
Byzantine chandelier in the centre of the nave that glitters like a
cluster of stars from dozens of tiny glass cups with wick and oil
within. In the solemn and mysterious gloom you pass figures of men and
women kneeling in devotion before the many shrines. Some are
accompanied by well-behaved and discreet dogs, who sit patiently
waiting till their owners' prayer shall be over; whilst others less
well trained, run about from group to group to smell out their friends
or growl at foes. You slowly work your way through the throng to the
high altar. That uniqu