30 DECEMBER 1899, Page 3

The Queen has shown her keen personal interest in her

soldiers' families by a thoughtful and generous act. On Tuesday afternoon she gave a tea-party to a large number of the wives and children of the men serving in South Africa whose regiments are stationed at Windsor or in the neigh- bourhood. A Christmas-tree, dressed by several of the Princesses, had been erected in St. George's Hall, where tea was served to seventy soldiers' wives and a hundred children. After making the round of the tables and conversing with her guests, the Queen took part in the distribution of gifts from the Christmas-tree and remained in the Hall till the close of the entertainment.