Christmas Cards

Some months ago members of the British royal family commenced to bestir themselves in the performance of an annual and not unimportant duty--the choice of motifs and mottoes for their Christmas cards.

As usual, replicas of the cards have been made public, and last week many a plebeian Christmas card shopper gleaned a modicum of satisfaction from reflecting that the taste even of royalty is not always flawless. Numerous observers opined that Princess Mary had displayed a notable lack of critical flair in choosing a 17th Century garden tableau, subtitled in hackneyed fashion, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may."

The King's card represents in decorous fashion the opening of the Royal Exchange by Queen Elizabeth. The Prince of Wales' card, rushed through after his return from South America, depicts the landing of that hardy wanderer, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, at Newfoundland in 1583. The Queen's card unexceptionably shows Queen Philippa, wife of Edward III, visiting the Cloth Hall at Norwich.

About the card of the Queen Mother, Alexandra, however, the critics were again at odds. Said one, "How attractive! A beautiful Dutch garden; the garden at Kensington Palace! And Alexandra, of course, loves flowers!" Quoth another, "So far so good. But the motto! Has the Queen Mother no competent advisers in these matters?"

The words to which they took exception were as follows:

"A kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of a bird for mirth,

You are nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth."