Punch (62.1872)

January 6, 1872.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

OUR QUEEN TO HER PEOPLE.

THE NATIONS' NEW-YEAR'S DAT.

Beneath the fading mistletoe in Time's wide-echoing Hall,—

The Yule-log's light still brisk and bright, on storied roof and wall—

The Spirits of the Nations, some strange, some kith and kin,

_ We open our New Volume with a record that will become histo-
rical. No more acceptable Christmas gift could have been bestowed
upon a loyal and affectionate people than that which Queen Vic-
toria has been pleased to present. It is the simple, warm, graceful Are met to flout the Old Year out anifete the New Year in
expression of a Mother's " deep sense of the touching sympathy of the
whole Nation on the occasion of the alarming illness of her dear son, With war-stains dim on robe and limb, fresh scars on cheek and
the Pbince oe Waxes." Thus writes our Sovereign, dating, happily, brow,

from Windsor Castle :— France strives to look as though no pains could crush, no losses bow :

" The universal feeling shown by her people during those painful, terrible ?ut her glance is quick and restless, and her hands are never still,

days, and the sympathy evinced by them with herself and her beloved
daughter, the Peincess of Wales, as well as the general joy at the
improvement in the Prince of "Wales's state, have made a deep and
lasting impression on her heart which can never be effaced. It was, indeed?

As one that, fevered inly, masks but masters not her ill.

As if in mock of Christmas wreaths,—their " peace, good-will to
men "—

nothing new to her, for the Queen had met with the same sympathy when What fierce hate in her eyes whene'er proud Prussia meets their ken !
W ten vpnrs B„n a rimil.r ninpaa ™w«i f™™ w ^ JoW./nf w Prussia that, stern and stately, her great sword, laurel-wreathed,

just ten years ago a similar illness removed from her side the mainstay of her t> ' ,f- h f k*' -f ? fh sheathed

life, the best, wisest, and kindest of husbands. : ileax8 Wary' S0' tlS nara t0 Kn0W 11 Dare tne DlaCle' 0r sneatnea-

« The Queen wishes to express at the same time on the part of the j g0 Hght and Uthe that stalwart frame in m0yement or at rest,
Princess of Wales, her feelings of heartfelt gratitude, for she has been as You scarce would deem you caught the gleam of steel below her
deeply touched as the Queen by the great and universal manifestation of breast ■

loyalty and sympathy. j Beneath the wide imperial robe, that, fire -new, sweeps the ground,

" The Queen cannot conclude without expressing her hope that her With what now seems a diadem, and now a helmet, crowned,
faithful subjects will continue their prayers to God for the complete recovery |

of her dear son to health and strength." > gut mark yon maid, of loveliness more radiant and more rare

mm. i j .-t , », . „. 0„. ,, :. Than all the showers of gems and flowers that star her night of hair;

f +,W£at °an he do that cometh after the King ? is the language For strength and grace to fit that face, what music but the tongue
of the Book. He who cometh after the Qjieen will vainly seek to therein stern Dante chaunted, and silvery Petraech sung ?
write worthy comment on these words. But comment will be sup- |

^^^^^^t^^tt^^t^l\^^^' Bl" »™ aueenMl-robed and crowned

The double diadem of Rome on her exultant brow!
Who notes the dust, who recks the rust, that dulls or dims its sbeen,

The Festive Bored.

Or asks how she came by it, or through what mire it has been ?

In olden time the boar's head was a common Christmas adjunct From sleep or strife new roused to life that lights her antique face,
to the board. The custom, it appears, has not entirely yet died out. No monkish train nor slavish chain to cramp her strength and
If one believes one's eyes and ears, one can hardly ever join a grace,

family Christmas party, without finding at least one, if not more What wonder if she hardly know in soberness to still _

than one, bore's head there. . The throbbing of late-loosened blood, the stir of waking will?

Vol. 62.

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