DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62133#0195
CHRISTMAS.
179
tion, that it was quite a delight; and when I saw poor dear
old Fraulein Sanchen crying and kissing my hand with
surprise and joy, I longed to have been made of money
that I might have given a present to everybody.
How pretty the fair looked, that bright frosty Sunday
noon ! but still prettier on the Monday evening, when all
was lighted up. Madame Thekla, with her face tied up
in a large white handkerchief, in German fashion, to pre-
vent toothache, accompanied me. She looked rather a
funny figure, and I know certain people who would not
have walked down Regent Street with her but neither she
nor I cared for the huge white headgear : indeed, I thought
it rather piquant than otherwise.
First, we walked through the principal street, to peep
into the shop-windows, which were all adorned with their
most tempting merchandise. Such gaudy vases, ewers,
pokals (drinking-glasses), of variously tinted and gilded
Bohemian glass, in one shop; such exquisite ball-dresses
and artificial flowers in another ; such tempting jewellery !
But the confectioners, with all manner of devices for
Christmas Trees, were perhaps the most brilliant—quite
enchanted grottoes; and in each shop the counter, or a
table in the middle of the floor, was festooned and deco-
rated tastefully with the choicest articles. It would have
been difficult, even in London or Paris, to find anything
more beautiful. At this time the streets were deserted in
comparison with what they were about four o’clock. Then
there was a stir! as busy and well-dressed a throng as any
West-end thoroughfare would exhibit on any bright after-
noon in May. Ladies and children, all in their best, and
all so happy and cheerful, and alert; such rolls and parcels
as peeped out from muffs, and from beneath heavy warm
cloaks I Every one, high and low, was purchasing pre-
sents j and the gentlemen were no whit behind the rest.
You saw tall, aristocratic gentlemen, with their wives, busy
179
tion, that it was quite a delight; and when I saw poor dear
old Fraulein Sanchen crying and kissing my hand with
surprise and joy, I longed to have been made of money
that I might have given a present to everybody.
How pretty the fair looked, that bright frosty Sunday
noon ! but still prettier on the Monday evening, when all
was lighted up. Madame Thekla, with her face tied up
in a large white handkerchief, in German fashion, to pre-
vent toothache, accompanied me. She looked rather a
funny figure, and I know certain people who would not
have walked down Regent Street with her but neither she
nor I cared for the huge white headgear : indeed, I thought
it rather piquant than otherwise.
First, we walked through the principal street, to peep
into the shop-windows, which were all adorned with their
most tempting merchandise. Such gaudy vases, ewers,
pokals (drinking-glasses), of variously tinted and gilded
Bohemian glass, in one shop; such exquisite ball-dresses
and artificial flowers in another ; such tempting jewellery !
But the confectioners, with all manner of devices for
Christmas Trees, were perhaps the most brilliant—quite
enchanted grottoes; and in each shop the counter, or a
table in the middle of the floor, was festooned and deco-
rated tastefully with the choicest articles. It would have
been difficult, even in London or Paris, to find anything
more beautiful. At this time the streets were deserted in
comparison with what they were about four o’clock. Then
there was a stir! as busy and well-dressed a throng as any
West-end thoroughfare would exhibit on any bright after-
noon in May. Ladies and children, all in their best, and
all so happy and cheerful, and alert; such rolls and parcels
as peeped out from muffs, and from beneath heavy warm
cloaks I Every one, high and low, was purchasing pre-
sents j and the gentlemen were no whit behind the rest.
You saw tall, aristocratic gentlemen, with their wives, busy