“Felt very miserable on waking to think that this day, once so gay & joyous, had came round again. — Wet early, but it cleared rather late, & I walked to Barton to see the preparations, for the tree for the schoolchildren. — Very busy, & tired. — Many telegrams. Better prospects of a peaceable solution. — After luncheon walked a little & went in the pony chair. Jane Churchill going with me. Arthur met us, who had just arrived. — At ½ p. 4 we all went down to the Servant’s Hall, like last year, for the Xmas tree & distribution of presents for the children on the Barton & Osborn estates, — from the ages of 2 to 13. There were 60 in member. I & the Children distributed all the things. There were also coats for the carters & some blankets. & After it was over, went up to my room to rest. Katherine B. brought me a few lines from Augusta, who had received all the accounts of her dear brother’s death & his touching, heart rending messages. — At ½ p. 6 went to the Dining Room, all the Children, Feodore, & Ernest Leiningen, having joined me. All was arranged as last year, with the presents on tables round the room & the Xmas tree in the window. Our good girls did so much for me, & I received many pretty gifts. All these I gave, seemed to give pleasure. —“
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012
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